Happy Friday...

I am not a coffee drinker... never have been. Just don't really enjoy the taste. But this morning, I was feeling extremely tired, so I decided to try a cup with some vanilla flavoring... it wasn't so bad... so I had another... so here I am extremely wired, but feeling great. Now I know why people need thier cups of coffee in the morning!

Yay!!!

Plans for the coming days....

Today - Work... and then I go to a charity meeting for my work at the big bosses house. I am super excited to get our fundraising started. Don't forget if you would like to join our team for the March of Dimes, or want to make a donation, you can let me know and I will tell you how. We do some really fun fund raising, so I will post more about it, as I learn more.

Tomorrow - Eli's Birthday party. I am so excited! I get to meet Tracy from my online mommy's group. It is a wiggly party. I will be sure to post pictures.

Tomorrow night - The last regular season Tips game. Vinny is going to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's so that Tony and I can enjoy our night out. Since we didn't get playoff tickets for me, this will be my last game for the year. I am a little sad, but am looking forward to an older and better team next year. Go Tips!

Sunday - I am going to go and see my mom. Hopefully she will be pretty much back to normal. I am looking forward to a day with not a whole lot to do, except some house cleaning, and homework.
Then we have Coby and Brenda's birthday party in the evening, which will be fun to see everyone together.

Monday - Vacation Day!!! Well, kind of. I don't have to work, but I do have a final for school. I will probably do my final and then depending on how my mom is doing, either go to the hospital or go to Roger's to help her get settled in.

Tuesday - St Patrick's Day and Vacation Day and last day of school, and play day!!! We are going to go to Jungle Playland in Mt Vernon for a playdate. If anyone wants to join us, let me know and I will send you the e-vite. The more the merrier!!! It is also Coby and Brenda's actual birthday today.

Wednesday - Back to work... plus I have to go to the dentist... Ugh... This is also Jennie's due date, so hopefully we will have a new little boy by then!

Things are looking up...

I have been to the hospital a couple of time over the last few days, and my mom was so drugged up that she didn't really realize what was going on. I am heading down there tonight, and they said that she is doing much better, so I am looking forward to the visit. The plan right now is for her to come home either Sunday or Monday and she is going to go and stay with Roger for awhile, until she can get back on her feet again.

Thanks for all the nice thoughts and prayers!

I hate scary phone calls.

I checked my cell phone this afternoon, and saw that I had 3 missed calls and voice mails. When I checked them there were calls from my Mom's boyfriend and from Swedish hospital. Apparently my mom fell last night and broke her hip. She is at Swedish Hospital and it sounds like she will be there for about a week. It sounds like she is doing ok, and will heal fine, but her hip was broken in 3 places. He ball and join socket were not broken, so that is a good thing. She went into surgery this morning and they had to put pins and plates in her hip.
I haven't had a chance to talk to her Dr yet, but this is everything that Roger told me.
She is on a lot of pain medications, and said that she is in a lot of pain, but it sounds like after her recovery period, she will be doing ok.
I just feel awful that it took me that long to get the message. She had been in the hospital for over 15 hours before I even knew she was there... That will teach me to leave my phone on silent....
I will write updates, as I get them.

Mom, I hope you get out of there soon, and you have a speedy recovery. I am worried about you!

Snow again????

We woke up this morning to about 2 1/2 inches of snow. I thought it was supposed to be over by now, but Vinny loved it....

Vinny helped dad build a snowman....

Then knocked it down...

And squished it....

After we came in and got dried off, we came in and got warm, and then did some crafts. Now all Vinny wants to make is trains, so today we made a number train.

Micah's Birthday party

Saturday night we went to Micah's 4th Birthday Party. He has a Pajama Pasta Party. All the guests were asked to dress in thier pjs. It was a lot of fun! Happy Birthday Micah!

Alicia cooking our pasta dinner.

Keiler modeling his Pjs.

Yummy!

Vinny found a light saber.

Micah and Keiler opening Micah's gifts.

Vinny opened presents from Auntie Alicia and Auntie Beck, since they weren't at his birthday. This was lincoln logs. When we got home, he was so excited to build, (and knock down) houses.

Cars!

Cake Time...

Make a wish!

The kids enjoying thier cake.

The birthday boy.

Yum!

These are a few of my favorite things....

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Watching Imagination Movers when he wakes up before we go to daycare.

One of Mommy's favorite things....
Watching Vinny get so exciited and grab his "tar" (quitar) to sing and dance with the show.

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Watching Calliou, Handy Manny or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

One of Mommy's favorite things....
Hearing Vinny ask to watch Eli. I don't know what it is about Calliou that makes him think that he is Eli, but it is so cute.

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Do go and visit friends, or go shopping for a "ize" (suprise.)

One of Mommy's favorite things....
Is to hear Vinny get so excited when he recongizes where we are going...

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Reading any and all books

One of Mommy's favorite things....
Listening to Vinny read me a story... He has a few memorized and tells them with such animation.

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Going outside to play.

One of Mommy's favorite things....
Watching Vinny try to do everything that Daddy is doing... he mows the lawn, fixes the quad, waters the plants... it is too cute!

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Doing arts and crafts.

One of Mommy's favorite things....
Watching Vinny's tongue slightly stick out when he is concentrating really hard.

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Firetrucks

One of Mommy's favorite things....
Being one of the only ones that understands what he is talking about when he says "who"

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Trains

One of Mommy's favorite things....
Watching over time as Vinny has changed what he calls trains... it went from "wooowooo" to "chuchuchuchu" to "Choo Choo" and now it's "Choo Choo Train."

One of Vinny's favorite things...
When mom picks him up from daycare to take him home.

One of Mommy's favorite things....
Is watching him give loves to all of his friends, and saying "bye" is his cute little voice.

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Fruit... anykind.... apples, grapes, bananas, oranges, you name it, he LOVES it!

One of Mommy's favorite things....
When Vinny signs "apple" and he sticks his finger in his ear instead of on his cheek.
or
When Vinny eats an orange or grapefruit, he wants to eat the whole thing peal and all, just like an apple.

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Saying Mum over and over and over... sometimes I don't even think he knows what he wants.

One of Mommy's favorite things....
The way that he says "Mum" he sounds like a little british boy.

One of Vinny's favorite things...
Growing so he can get bigger and climb on more, and get into more.

One of Mommy's favorite things....
Watching her little baby grow up...

Craft Night

Tonight we decided to do some crafts. We hadn't gotten out the scissors and glue for awhile, so I figured since Vinny is in such a great mood that tonight would be a good time. we had to make a quick trip to Target and while we were there, Vinny found these gel window clings in the dollar section. He instantly wanted some "stit" (stickers) for his "ize" (surprise) for being good at the store.
It is so funny now, I guess I walked myself right into this, but I would tell Vinny that if he is good that the store then he could get a surprise. Now whenever I tell him that we are going to the store he says "Inny Ize" (Vinny surprise) and starts telling me the things he wants.

Notice how they all went from scattered every where to being all in a row? Once they were in the row, he kept saying that they were a "choo choo!"

St. Patty's Day Clover.

Choo Choo!

It has gotten so fun to do crafts with him now that he knows where things go, and tries to make it look real. I can actually tell him to put glue on a paper and where to put it and he actually does.

Playing with clover stickers.

Life Update

Not a whole lot new going on...
Vinny had a big bump on the back of his head, and I wasn't sure what it was from, so I called Dr Beard. He wanted me to bring him in, since he has had so many swollen lymph nodes... his diagnosis? Vinny bumped his head. So, an hour and a co-pay later, we find out that it is yet another bump. What's new?
The Dr told me that he was more worried about me because I look exhausted. "Thanks for the kind compliment Dr...." I explained to him that I am exhausted, but it will all pass soon. Being a full time mom, wife, employee, and student isn't an easy job. Of course I am tired. I only have 2 more weeks of this quarter at school, and after that things should slow down considerably.

Vinny has a new obsession. Papa Vinny. My dad and Chrisana came and picked Vinny up from daycare and took him out for ice cream and went for a walk. Now all I hear about is Papa Vinny. He asks about him all the time. When we tell him we are going somewhere he asks "Papa Inny?" When a truck pulls into our driveway he runs to the window and yells, "Papa Inny!" Today when I was dropping him off at daycare he yelled "No! No! No! Papa Inny How!" (Papa Vinny's House) When this boy gets something in his head, there is no getting it out.

Tonight a customer is bringing me and the girls from work out to dinner at Bob's Burgers and Brews. I am excited to get out. Yeah, it is a little weird to go to dinner with a customer, but it will be fun. He owns a put put golf place and we have gone and played golf with him before.

The Silvertips season is almost over :( Only one more game before playoffs. I didn't get play off tickets for me, but Tony and Jason are going to go. We have ordered our seats for next year, and I am looking forward to it!

Tony is starting to plan the annual dune trip. I am not going this year. Vinny and I are taking a couple of vacation days and spending the time together. This will give Tony a break with the guys, and Vinny and I some bonding time. He is growing so fast, I want to get as much time as I can with him.

Vinny is talking so much now. He repeats most things that you ask him to. He is counting, and is learning his colors and letters. It is fun to see how brite he is... not that we didn't already know, but now he is just proving us right!

When Mom's away... Vinny will play!!!

Here are some recent pictures from Vinny's trips to Grandpa and Grandma Hemrich's house. I always get a kick out of seeing pictures from when I wasn't there. I love to hear the stories of how goofy he is when I am not around... Last night Grandma and Grandpa kept him overnight... mmm.... sleep, sweet, sleep.... That was the plan anyway... Tony and I went to the Silvertips game last night with Jason and Karen, and then came home and watched a movie. I was wide awake at 7:15am this morning. Tony is still sleeping (it's 9:30) So I have enjoyed my morning all by myself, getting homework done and just messing around on the computer, in peace and quiet. I have to admit though... I would much rather hear little footsteps padding down the hall right now.... or the occasional "mum."

You can NEVER have too many cheese balls!

So excited!

I scream, You Scream.....

Noodles!

He had to earn his keep... It can't be all fun and games.

This one is for Dawn!

I went to a Longaberger party at Dawn's tonight. The consultant had us dress up with beads and tiaras, which of course, Eli loved. So, I had to bring some home to Vinny to see what he thought. He was so excited! Ok Dawn, I posted them of Vinny, your turn to post them of Eli!!!

That's my boy!

Cheesy "Cheese" face!

It's Movie Night!!!

I have taken a few videos over the last week or so, and thought I should get them posted. This is a video of Vinny singing. If any of you have seen it, he usually does it a lot better, but he wanted to watch TV, not sing with mom. He learned this song at daycare. I will try to get some of his other songs recorded soon too! Enjoy!

P.S. I never claimed to be able to sing... But you gotta do what you gotta do...

No!

Here is a video of Vinny being naughty. He has started to climb on the back of the couch all the time, and we keep telling him to get down... Here is his reaction....

No David!

"No David!" by David Shannon is by far Vinny's favorite book. He loves to read it to us. He was a little side tracked, but here is a video of him reading it with me. A lot of the words in here, I didn't know he knew how to say, until we started reading this book. If you have little ones, I highly recommend it.

:(

Today is a sad day in the Marysville KNU Toddler classroom. Ms. Tanya announced that she will be leaving. She is pregnant and this will be her last week full time. She is then going to go part time, and gradually transition out of the Toddler room, until she decides to stay home. She isn't going to come back.
Now, let me tell you about Tanya. She is amazing. She started right as Vinny moved in to waddlers and has moved up with him through pre-toddler and toddler. She is the only one there that really seems to get through to Vinny. He talks more when he is with her, and learns very well from her, and he just loves her. I am so disappointed. I knew that when he turned 2 1/2 that he would be moved up out of her classroom, but I had secretly hoped that she would move up with him then too. Other than me, she has been the "other woman" in his life consistently for over a year now.
I know that she won't read this, but in case she does... Thank you Tanya, for everything you have done. Good luck with your pregnancy and your family as it grows! We will miss you!!!
Now it is just a waiting game. They are not sure yet who is going to move into Vinny's classroom and if Miss Renee is going to become the lead or not. I really hope that she does. Vinny really likes her too, and I know that she would do really well with him. She communicates well with me, too, which I really love. Let's just hope that it all works out!!!

Sunday!

Today we did our annual Mom's birthday lunch. It wasn't as big of a crowd as normal, but it was very nice with just the 6 of us. My mom and Tony's mom were both born on the same day, so every year we get together to celebrate their birthday's together. We went to Bob's Burgers and Brew's in Marysville for thier breakfast bruch buffet. It was SO good! Vinny started acting up, so Tony and him left early, but we got to enjoy our breakfast.
Happy Birthday Mom & Mom! I hope you had a good time!

My mom (Donna) and my Mother-in-law (Linda)

My mom and me.

(Yes, I realize that it looks like I have a mullet. I had my hair back, and you can bet, I won't be wearing my hair like that anytime soon. This is such an unflattering picture.)

Linda and Dan

(My in-laws)

After we got home, and Vinny napped, I did homework and Tony relaxed, we decided to go and visit Grandma Karen. We took Vinny's little quad and let him ride out in the pastures. He is sure getting to like to horses, and I think that they like him too. I didn't take any pictures, but will be sure to the next time we go over there.

After running some errands and coming home, we decided to get out a gift that Vinny had gotten for his birthday, from Papa Vinny, that he hadn't opened yet. It is this building block set with gears. He loved it. In fact, he is out in the living room playing it again with Dad. I didn't know if he would be able to figure it out, but he does pretty good, he just needs a little help to get started.

Why didn't I bring my camera?!?!?!

Last night we took Vinny to the Silvertips game. This isn’t unusual for us to do, but it was an unusual night for how it played out. It was a very exciting game with the final score of 7-3. We played Portland, which is usually a good game. What made this one so fun, was Vinny. He did so well. Usually we have to leave early, or spend the last period walking around, but not last night!
Vinny sat through the whole first period great. When we scored he clapped and gave the ladies that sit next to us big “high fives.” He was so excited. At the break we went and walked a lap, and came back and he sat through the whole 2nd period. He sat eating his apples and reading his book, and searching for the puck out on the ice. When the fights would start, and the crowd would cheer, there would be Vinny waving his finger and yelling “No! No! No!” So, why is it that he knows that the players aren’t supposed to “hit their friends” but he can’t figure out that that rule applies to him too? He would get so worked up when the crowd cheered and stood up… he would climb up on me so that he could stand and clap too.
During the 2nd intermission he “danced for his dinner.” There we are, Vinny, and the 2 ladies that sit next to us, and me doing the chicken dance… I am sure we were quite the sight! During “YMCA” the pointed the camera at us, and we were on the big screen. It was fun to see all of us up there looking like idiots. We didn’t win the contest, but at least Vinny got to dance and got to be on the big screen.
The third period went just as well as the other two. He read the game program and was excited to match up the pictures of the equipment with what the players were wearing. He ate his apples, and drank his water and read and did great. The last 22 seconds of the game, he started to act up, but other than that, he was perfect.
Here is an article about last night’s game… Happy 21st Birthday, Graham Potuer!
http://heraldnet.com/article/20090219/SPORTS/702199844#Silvertips.take.advantage.of.Portlands.mistakes..

The most amazing part of this night was that this was all without his sippy cup. Those of you who know Vinny well, know that he wants his cup 24/7. He always asked for his “bot” and I think that it has kind of become his security blanket, rather than just a drink. He got his “bot” when we got back to the car, and fell asleep quickly, spending the entire night in his own bed. Last night I finally felt like I had a well behaved toddler. He was so easy, and it was so nice to have our bed to ourselves without him crawling into it in the middle of the night.

How weird is that????

Tony's mom and my mom have something in common... The same birthday. February 18th. I think that that in itself is a fun unique coincidence, but what makes it even better is that they were born the same year. Our moms are exactly the same age. It makes their birthdays fun every year because we combine both of our family's together and go out for lunch to celebrate. I think this is going to be either the 5th or 6th year that we do it. (Mom or Linda, you might have to correct me on that) This Sunday, we are going to go to brunch at Bob's Burgers and Brews and I can't wait! I know that it is something special for them, but our lunches are special for me too.
I just wanted to tell you both, Happy Birthday!!! I hope you have a wonderful day! See you on Sunday!