Where do I begin?

1. Worst Poo Blow-out EVER today --I heard the explosion during my physical therapy appointment today. My PT and I both giggled, plugged our noses, and kept going. I hightailed it to the public restroom and opened up a 110% overflowing Pampers.
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I unwittingly chose today to put an undershirt on Keaton. Thank GOD!!! It managed to contain the paste. The thick green paste that coated my young son from socks to armpits. If I'd had scissors I would have cut it off. As it was, I threw it away.
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I lost track at 13 wipes. I tried balancing him upside down on one arm while scraping away green paste with the other hand, praying that I wouldn't get sprayed with pee. It was HORRIBLE.
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Picture of yet another poo blow-out later in the week.



2. The Poo Call --- on the way to swim class last night, we got the call. POO in the POOL!! All classes canceled for the evening. Refunds posted to your account.

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We turned the car around and headed to Baskin Robbins for a sympathy cone. Carson was dressed his favorite new outfit. Picture head to toe blue camo fleece sweats and sweatshirt. Oh yes. Top it off with a Halloween black, wolf-head, Ninja mask.


In this fantastic get-up, Carson finished his cone, jumped down from his chair and "faced off" to the 4 year old boy at the next table. Literally. He walked up to the poor kid ninja-style, put one foot forward, both arms on his hips and knees bent. Ready for a Ninja battle.

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The kid's jaw hit the floor at the audacity of this blue camo, wolf Ninja warrier. That's when Carson started throwing out karate chops and a few Ninja kicks for good measure.
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I fell on the floor laughing and almost peed my pnats on the way to the car. My son will be an actor some day. I have no doubt.
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3. I had a million other things to write about but both boys are asleep and I have a beautiful Nordland Christmas tree to light up. I shall throw in a few pictures and videos and call it a blog post.....

Super sweet Little Buddy!

Little Buddy laughing in his bouncy chair

Little Buddy laughing in his swing, keep your eyes peeled for the projectile spit up halfway thru.

Keaton running his nightly marathon on the changing table, usually naked.


Keaton has changed SO much over the last two weeks. He is catching up on his milestones like a champ! Super eye contact now and very interactive. He loves laughing and smiling. Sometimes he has trouble finishing his bottle because he can't stop smiling and the milk just leaks out.

He is discovering his hands, grabbing his pants, and holding his own hands in a dead-lock grip. Shouldn't be long before he's actually grabbing for other items.

Keaton is an amazing sleeper at night. Only wakes up once around 4 or 4:45 am for a bottle. It's slowly getting later and later so we're hopeful it's just a matter of time before he's sleeping all the way through.

Unfortunately he's developing some awful cat-napping habits. So by the end of the day, he hasn't had enough sleep and gets pretty crabby. It's leading to an earlier bedtime of 6:30 to catch up on the sleep. Pros and cons to that.

Will post the Christmas tree hunt pics later this week!

Oops It's Been Awhile

Getting sick, moving into your parents, and turning 34 all in the same weekend can lead to belated blogging.

Highlights!

Carson started soccer class with MUCH enthusiasm!!! After a family ride on Max downtown and back (yes, we rode Max just to ride Max), we stopped in Dick's Sporting Goods to help Carson pick out his first shin guards. Talk about bouncing off the walls excited!!!

My boy loves costumes to begin with so shin guards are the perfect addition to an already overflowing costume box! You'll notice that he already had on Buzz Lightyear for the day!

Big decisions! Built in sock/shin guards or shin guards with socks over the top! Who knew there were so many choices!
Later that night. Ready to ride and play!
And costume change #3!

Soccer itself was the CUTEST thing I've ever seen!! Carson was in love with the ball, the field, the coaches, everything! I didn't catch the picture in time but he was sitting on his ball when all the other kids were on the ground. Super cute! And pipsqueak!

Keaton is just a doll. We had two wonderful nights when he slept from 9:30-5:15. It felt great! Most of the time he gets up once. There are occasional, awful nights when he is up several times for random reasons. But the good thing is that he always goes back to sleep right away.

Our little peanut is growing steadily. At 3 months he weighs about 12 pounds. We have to constantly remind ourselves that he was born 3.5 weeks early and not to compare him to his brother who was a week late. He is doing great for his adjusted age and everytime I panic and take him to the doctor because I'm worried he's delayed, he picks that very day to do everything he hasn't been doing. Both times he's made me look like an idiot.

Keaton is very social. Laughs and smiles a lot. Still very chill but having some problems with spitting-up. Doc thinks he has a touch of acid reflux but we're not going to treat it unless it gets worse. Right now it just means I carry two changes of clothes for him and one for me.

His first day in 3-6 month clothes! Yay for new clothes!

This is how Keaton spends much of his day . . . chilling on my desk at work.
This is the aftermath of me "wearing" Keaton in his Ergo and trying to eat a protein bar over the top of his sleeping head. Result = chocolate all over his neck and shirt.
Carson discovered his LOVES vacuuming!! Cute little video of his newest hobby. Note the shin guards and head phones.

We are officially moved into my parents home for the duration of the addition! It was way more work than we thought it would be and are still discovering items we need to swing by and grab. But my parents have been extremely accomodating!!

They dismantled their office to turn it into a nursery for Keaton. After just 48 hours of us living there, they ran out to Bed, Bath, & Beyond and bought chair covers for the kitchen (Carson is the world's messiest eater) and covered their couch too. Pillows and all.

They woke up after the first wind storm and discovered Jeremy and I had taken their EIGHT wind chimes hostage for the duration of our extended stay. Nothing like the sound of clanging glass to wake you up in the middle of the night.

We're having fun so far! Taking turns cooking dinners, figuring out routines, and tag-teaming Carson's bi-polarness.

Speaking of our addition, I haven't posted pics on the blog but they are all on Facebook. If you would like to see them, please shoot me an email and I'll send you the link. It's going well but as most remodel projects, we're already terribly overbudget. The good news is, things are still running on schedule. New exterior walls start tomorrow with roof trusses coming next week!!

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween from Keaton & Carson!

Jeff Gordon

NASCAR Driver with his Lobster Brother
Who wouldn't eat this guy up!

Lounging Lobster!

The Halloween parade at Carson's school. They walked around the block :-)

Baby Boot Camp Halloween- Avery & Mason, Keaton & Carson, and another Avery & Mason Halloween Trick or Treating at Nana's office

And finally, Halloween night! Colton & Keaton

Carson, Kinley, & Morgan ready to hit the streets!Just so happened to find a super cool Monster Truck on our way around the block! Carson flipped out!Totally out of order but this is Andrew and Carson -coincidentally both NASCAR drivers- at Eloise's Halloween party in the early afternoon on the 31st.

Go Ducks!!

Duck Game Day!!

Is this how I hold him?

Chillin' in Mommy's room
Cheering!

The Real Duck Fan

Duck by Marriage Fan

Happy boys!

Family note:

Construction has finally begun on our addition (10 months of planning and waiting for our approval from the county)! The first day we watched an excavator dig up our side yard. The second day our front porch disappeared! We can no longer use our front door so it looks like we'll be moving up our move out date since using the back door in the Oregon rain is miserable! Pics soon!

Our boy is smiling! And it's a cutie!! Very wide, open mouth grin! Often only one side of his mouth which makes him even cuter. Like a sideways smile. Hard to get on camera just yet.

Darn picture came in sideways so turn your head to the right please!

And the best money ever spent, $1 at the Dollar Store. Okay $6 to be fair but the best $6 I ever spent! Light up, noise making swords, robot arms, knight shield and robot chest protector!

Uncle Ga taught Carson how to "die" a realistic death . . . only our drama king has taken it to new heights! The videos are really dark because the lights are off to feel the full effects of the swords so squint your eyes and enjoy.

PowerRanger and bro

Carson is a drama-king and what better way to express your creativity than costumes! I am a sucker and brought home another one. This one even has MUSCLES!!

This is how Carson looked when he left for school today. Notice the camo rainboots.

The funny part... he doesn't even really know anything about PowerRangers other than the older boys at school talk about them. He's never seen the show nor read any books about them. Hilarious.

Sweet Keaton survived his 2 month appointment with 3 yucky shots. I waffled for many weeks as to the traditional vaccine schedule or the alternative and ended up going with the traditional. He didn't love me for it!

Keaton Stats:

10 lbs 10oz, 25th percentile

22.5 inches (I think), 34th percentile.

Growing well at 1/2 pound a week but still about 4 pounds smaller than Carson was. We love our small little buddy. It is kind of nice because he stays in clothes longer than Carson did. Looks like we have just a few more weeks in 0-3 months and then I get to open up the 3-6 month bin.

To be honest, I've already opened it at least 4 times adding new clothes to it. I have a shopping problem!!

CARSON QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"Mommy STOP! Do you hear that smell?"

The End of Single Parenthood!

Well, I made it! 7.5 days of single motherhood come to an end at 1:30 am tonight (but who's counting??).

With the exception of the Monday from hell, the rest of the time was pretty uneventful. Today was pretty awful with the unexpected cancellation of a babysitter and having to drag both boys with me to show a house.

An uber crabby and uncooperative Carson made the day drag and me feel like a mean mom for taking away Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a Spiderman Costume, and story before naptime. But as consistency is the key and caving will only make it harder next time.

In a strange twist of events, while doing laundry tonight, I found my missing house key (see Monday's post) in the washing machine of all places!!

Some pics and videos from the past week plus a few random ones.

My boys!

Random zoo pic. Very cool exhibit where it looks like the Range Rover has crashed into the wild dog enclosure!
Sweet boy 2 months old now!

He's definitely a Rader!

Sideways smiles!

Oops. Forgot to turn the photo

Grandpa & Grandma Levy's visit with their new grandson!

Buzz Lightyear and Baby Keaton

Buzz Lightyear and his Bumbo Helmet

Super cute blondie!

More cutie pie!

Sweetie!

And finally, a super cute vid of what Mommy and Carson did to pass the time while Daddy was away... Thank You Dollar Store!!

Here Carson is "teaching" his brother to smile. If you watch closely, Keaton is smiling each time Carson tells him too. Lucky coincidence!

Single Mom Days 4 & 5- Celebration!

Thursday, again, very uneventful and easy. Happy to know that I have things totally under control.

But now also bored and ready for Jeremy to come home. I'm actually picking up the house before I go to bed which NEVER happens unless forced to at gunpoint.

Friday's are "Mommy & Me" days. I keep Carson home from school and we get to hang out. This morning, he wore his Superman costume and mask to Baby Boot Camp. Only now it has a "C" instead of an S.

Everyone always comments on him but the cutest of all was a little boy about 1.5-2 years old stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Carson ride by in his stroller. The little boy's jaw hit the floor and he said in complete awe, "Batman!"

Later in the day, Carson switched to his NASCAR race car driver costume. We love it because it has flames. Daddy thinks it's hilarious because one of Carson's sponsors "Nicorette". Oh yes, Nicorette.

Lots of people stop and tell Carson how cool he looks. But today an older woman stops, looks at Carson and says, "Wow! You look awesome! Jeff Gordon is my favorite!".

I stifled a laugh because clearly this woman knows her NASCAR. Jeff Gordon's name is NO where on the costume. But his number, his sponsors and his flames are no laughing matter to the REAL fans!

Finally, today was a HUGE day in the Rader household because our Land Use Decision finally got officially approved and recorded!! The adventure that began TEN months ago when we first met with our builder can now truly begin!

On Monday our builder can finally apply for our building permits and we hope to start construction/excavation within a week or two!

That does also mean it's getting very close to moving day. Our kind and generous neighbors offered to let us live with them during our 6 month remodel/addition. Thanks Mom and Dad! See ya soon! Pizza and Movie night is every Friday :-)

Day 3- Piece of Cake

Completely and totally uneventful day and night! Simply fantastic!

We do miss Daddy but are holding down the fort.

Both boys got baths yesterday AND I cleaned the house!

Keaton got up at 2am and 5am but ate quickly and fell right back asleep both times. Carson slept in until 7 am so I'm feeling great today!

Bring on the next 4 days! Halfway there!

Day 2- After You Clean Up the Barf

Hindsight is 20-20. I realize now that Monday night I set myself up for failure.

Should I have skipped Carson's swim class at 7 pm? Probably.

Would I have spanked Carson if I hadn't been uber-stressed trying to get everyone fed, dressed, and back in the car for the 30 minute drive to swim class? Probably not.

Should I have scheduled my client conference call for 9 pm instead of 8:30? Most definitely.

Could I have asked my sister to come over for 30 minutes to hold Keaton during the conference call? Of course.

Did I do any of that? No.

Mine own fault.

Today was a breeze! The morning sailed by without incident. I picked up Carson from school and we had a blast playing swords, eating "Bawk-Mac-Dog" (which is an awesome concoction of Scrambled Egg, Mac n Cheese, & chopped up hot Dog), and then leisurely read two stories before bed. And Keaton slept blissfully the entire time.

Piece of cake.

But then the adventure really started five minutes before my bedtime. Just as I was shutting my laptop, I looked up to see a giant mouse scamper across my kitchen floor!!! EW!!

9:30 pm. Night is dark, windy, and chilly. Husband (mouse-slayer of choice) is out of town. Traps are all down in the barn. Plan A not going to work.

Plan B: Let fat lazy cats spend the night in the house and hope and pray that they catch the darn thing.

Only this plan was flawed.

First, I laid in bed wondering if one or both of them would jump into the crib, cozy up to Keaton, and then suffocate him accidentally.

Second, about once every 30 minutes I would wake up to MEEEEOOW. Alfie was wandering around looking for a little love instead of grey, furry, prey.

Third, I jumped out of bed due to a loud raucous in the family room. Coned dog was crashing into everything. Ran out in the hall. Heard a tiny squeak and saw a cat run past me, directly into my bedroom.

Then I had to search every nook and cranny of my room with a flashlight to find the poor injured creature. Nothing.

Keaton had a rough night due to backed up bowels so every time I got up, I worried that I was going to step on a small grey body.

Morning finally arrived. Mouse poop all over the kitchen and two cats cozied up on the couch. Damn it.

Carson came out in the meantime and instantly wanted to play. I was so worried about how to explain death to him in case we find the body. Here is our hilarious conversation.

C: Can we have our sword fight now.
M: No because my sword is in my room and we can’t go in there because the kitties are chasing a mouse.
C: Oh. Are they eating the mouse?
M: Yes.
C: Well they barf after they eat the mouse.
M: Yes (trying really hard not to laugh)
C: And you have to clean up the barf.
M: Yes (actually that’s your daddy’s job)
C: Okay. Then let’s play sword’s after you clean up the barf.

Ate breakfast, added mouse traps to my shopping list, and then heard it . . . SQUEAK.

There was the little creature, laying on my bedroom floor, with a cat watching him. Knowing that sometimes the kitties are more interested in playing than killing, I ran into the kitchen to get a tupperware to scoop up the victim and dispose of him.

And then he was gone. Damn it again.

Under my bed!! It took 15 minutes, a flashlight, foam sword from the Dollar Store, a sour cream container, and a Playboy magazine but I finally got the little bugger. Clearly he was injured because he couldn't run very fast.

Let's hope the rest of Day 3 is even more uneventful!!