The sTate of Things

Teagan LOVES pushing Joseph's buttons (moles on his face) different noises and or actions follow. Today, Teagan followed me in as I changed Abby Sue's Diaper before morning nap. She didn't like that idea. I warned her that Teagan would find her buttons and push them. Sure enough his finger came up and they started playing. As I prepared her for nap, I tried unsuccessfully to chase and ask him out. He kept coming in saying he lost his buttons. I kept telling him to go find them. But it didn't work too well. He would leave and a few moments later came back in he couldn't find them. This went on, till I put Abby Sue in bed and closed the door. I lifted up his shirt and poked his belly button, "there it is." Now he is happy he found his button.

No, I've not forgot to blog. But I just didn't know what to blog about. So here is our lives the past few weeks, in a nutshell of course.

1. Joseph's PyCon: He grew a shaggy beard and wrecked the red car. Gave a last minute notice class. And seemed to miss us too. But we all survived and was super excited to have him home again. The kids even made him a welcome home sign.

2. Sickness is thriving here. Abby Sue and I don't sound to pretty, and her nose runs like crazy. Teagan had a 'broken ear,' but that is all healed. Now to just get us girls all better.

3. We have given up with modern day 'soap.' In fact if anyone is interested I've lots of Lever 2000. But don't worry, we are stinky. We started using all natural soaps. See, the boys have skin problems and modern day soap only makes it worse. So by switching they are getting better. I'm enjoying it too. I don't need very much lotion any more. And we get to pick fun different smells. Right now we are using rosewood and Florida Sunshine. Rosewood is very nice, but very strong if you have lots of bars together. Florida is very citrus and is great to awaken your senses.

4. Joseph turned 33 on 3/3. Made a big day of it, though his present hadn't yet arrived. For dinner we went to Thai Cafe. Joseph got green curry, which was suppose to be Thai hot but it wasn't. Instead Teagan was slurping it down.

5. Abby Sue is ONE! It was a good day. Abby Sue of course had to fight to keep her new toys, they were so cool her big bros love playing with them. Though Joseph tried to repair our leaking sink, but we had fun at Lowes picking out flowers and planting them. For dinner we went to Kurama's Japanese Steak house. Very yummy. All the kids love it there. We did make one discovery, Alex LOVES shrimp. Which is good.

6. Joseph is discovering the old way to shave. He has never enjoyed shaving, and his whiskers grow pretty slow too. So he would try different disposables and electric. So for his birthday present he got a double edge safety razor, badger hair shaving brush, shaving soap and stand. So far so good, though it takes a bit to get used to.

7. Alex got into a year round elementary school! So Friday the boys and I drove everywhere getting the stuff needed to register him. And then we registered him. He is super excited about starting "kindergarden school."

8. Teagan has discovered the fun of climbing chairs and kids tables which has now expanded to playground equipment. Friday we went to the park, and I couldn't find him. He climbed to the very top! No wonder, he usually stays on the ground. So after I took his picture I helped him down. Only to lose him again. Yep he was at the top again. I'm so happy. Now he'll have more fun at the park.

9. Summer vacation plans are underway. Tickets to Utah were very cheap. So we are going out there to hit several natural places and spend time with family. It has been very hard not knowing many of the Tate side. Hopefully we will be able to spend time together and help Alex, Teagan and Abby Sue get to know more family. We'll have lots of time, about a month. I'm sure they'll be excited once we leave.

10. Today at church, a friend was giving out candy. Teagan choose a fireball. So I reluctantly gave it too him in the car. Thinking he would spit it out, I thought I was ready. Well, as many parents know plans don't work. Teagan said 'spicy' and then proceeded to swallow it. Of course it got stuck and he was choking. Joseph and the missionaries were laughing until I went he's choking. I was getting ready to do whatever I needed to when Teagan got it up and out. Thankfully Joseph finally pulled over the car and processed in most male manner, what am I suppose to do? So after Teagan purged himself and we were cleaned up as best as could be, we were on way home. Next time Joseph gets to sit next to the kid with the fireball, but that is what I always say and I'm the one that is always stuck in that position.

I think that is all in a nutshell.

So I've recently jumped into quilting, and still trying to stay afloat. Awesome patterns are EVERYWHERE. Then come the challenge, finding those perfect fabrics. Sometimes I'm completely lucky. A friend introduced me to www.aboveallfabrics.com and there I found Popp'n Posies. Yes, Abby Sue will have a quilt for a big girl bed before she is out of a crib. The best thing, they have a fabric kit. True it doesn't come with everything I need, it comes with enough (and it was on sale right now too!) to get started. I found another pattern that is jelly charm friendly. For you, and for me I went ?. Apparently quilters not only have a love affair with fabric, but for sweets too. Jelly Rolls refer to lengths of fabric cut into 2.5 inch strips (all off one collection). Turnovers look just like turnovers, triangles. Honey buns are 1.5inch strips. Desert rolls are 5 inch strips. Then you have your charm and your flat quarter packs.

Boy, this gets confusing and hungry. So I munch on a cookie or two and try to search for something that is impossible to find, boy friendly fabric. And rejoice when I think I found two Jelly rolls to decide from, but atlas no matching charm pack. And it is hard to tell online if things match or even close enough.

So I'm no closer to finding my fabric and still want more cookies!

The past few days have been truly wonderful. In the high 50s, which considering it snow recently is saying something. So we have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather and playing outside as much as possible. Today, while outside, I investigated a bit. My bulbs are getting ready to bloom! And the dogwoods have buds. SPRING IS COMING! We can't wait. Tomorrow is suppose to be nice and warm, 63 degrees. So after church and naps, we are going to go out and enjoy God's creation at Duke Gardens.

Abby Sue has really been very leach like with me. No one, Joseph included, could take her from me. And all she wanted when she was awake was me. To say it simply, it was draining. But now she is all about Daddy! She LOVES being on Joseph's shoulders and running around with him. She loves him spinning her and being dizzy. She just wants Daddy! I'm happy for the break. Though it is hard for her to be patient for her turns with Daddy. And I know how to win her back, just pick up Teagan. There is a lot of competition between those two, but you can't have siblings without competition it won't be right.

Memo to self: I must remember to take photos are all those handmade presents. But here are a few of the rest things.

A baby present for a good friend who is due with a girl in about a month.


Teagan's turtle blanket, he is still learning to love it.


Abby Sue has a lady bug


Alex's dinosaur, and Teagan wants a green one
.

I honestly could careless about the Super Bowl, but an exciting thing happened. Abby Sue sat up! Yes, I know she is very slow on the gross motor skills. Maybe she'll walk by the time she is 2. I'm hoping for crawling by 18 months. But she has the fine motor skills down faster than any other kid I've seen.

I just read a bunch of friend's blogs, and it made me miss them even more.... To all those out there. Hope you're well. Miss ya.

So I realize it has been a good long while, so I'm slowly going to update out photo gallery. At least up to the Christmas time. Abby Sue's folder is done! Now to get on with the rest (maybe another night it is getting late)...

Saturday was a snow day. Everyone had a blast shoveling and sledding. Even Abby Sue had a blast sledding and watching her brothers and dad sled.