Gas Station Run

If you know me, you know I have a slight dependence on soda. Usually just one a day, but it's something I crave like crazy if I don't have it. While Kyle may enable me when it comes to chocolate, he never buys me soda unless I outright ask him to. I looks like that job has fallen to Ash.

The other night when Grandma and Grandpa Lein and Aunt Kiki were visiting, I came out of my room to find Ash fully dressed in outdoor gear. He had put on his hat, mittens, boots, and jacket all by himself for the first time ever! Granted the coat was on upside down, but he was ready to go! I asked him where he was going and he said "I going to da gas station, get mama a pop!" Oh that boy, I swear I could eat him up! He went to the back door and started struggling to unlock and open it. I had to remind him that we were just pretending, and he was ok with that.

Since that night, this has become one of his favorite games. Except now he can get his coat on the right way, with no help from me. Sometimes there are variations, like a run for "pop and ah cream for ju" (ice cream for you) and once he asked Kyle "hand me the keys, please". Lots of times he tries to get out the door and gets upset when he can't unlock it. But once I say "just pretend, right?" he says "oh yeah" and is over it.

Sometimes I feel bad that my obsession with Mountain Dew is so obvious to him, but it sure makes me feel good that my little guy wants to take care of his mama.

The First Snow of 2010

Yesterday we woke up to the first snowfall of the year. What a wonderful sight to see, especially since we were planning on getting our Christmas tree. I LOVE snow! Maybe it's because I never have to shovel. The past few years I've either been pregnant or had a small baby, so I always had a good excuse to stay inside. Yesterday I offered to help but we only have one shovel, so again I was off the hook.

I also love driving in the snow. That probably sounds crazy but it's an adventure that's even better if it's dark outside. I grew up in a family that was never held back by snow. We had snowmobiles and used them almost every weekend. Our 800 mile round-trip to Minnesota for Christmas was never hindered by snow. We were going to get there if it killed us! A couple of times it was close, but out of 24 Christmas trips we only stopped once. That was the year I was pregnant with Ash and we had Lula (our 6 month old beagle) with us. It took us 8 hours (instead of 5) to get to Duluth, and once we got there most of the roads we not being plowed. We wanted to visit my mom's friend but couldn't even get to her house. We had to park a few blocks away and walk in. It was wild! A Christmas we'll never forget.

Yesterday was awesome because it was the first year Asher noticed the snow. When he woke up I took him to the window and he got all wide-eyed and said "oh snow, probly go sledding!" He couldn't get outside fast enough. He kept asking, "Daddy, take me outside, pleeeese?" Finally, after breakfast and bundling up, he got outside and he loved every minute of it. Last year he sat like a bump on log in the snow, but today he was all about it. Running, jumping, laying in it, shoveling, he couldn't get enough. There's always something magical about the first snowfall, but today, experiencing it through the eyes of a two year old, was pure joy.

Oh Livie

Yesterday we took our 5th trip to the doctor in two weeks. Both kids have had double ear infections, gotten over them, and now Ash has another single ear infection. Luckily the kids are feeling good overall and are acting like their happy little selves. We rented a Mickey Mouse Christmas video from the library in case of whiny emergencies and so far it's chased those blues away lickety split.

As you all know, Livie's given name is actually Olivia, but we never call her that. And I mean never. It's to the point that when someone does call her that it catches me off guard, like hey, that's not her name! But at the doctor's office they call "Olivia" when it's our turn. So yesterday when we were in the waiting room Ash starts calling out in a sing-song voice "Oh Livie!" (He's just so darn cute!) I told him it was his turn to see the doctor today so instead of saying Livie they would say Asher. So he starts calling out "Oh Asher!" Like that's just how the doctor calls everyone.....Oh Jean....Oh Kyle....Oh Mr Marble. Hee hee!

KaChow!

Just this week, Baby Liv has fallen in love with Lightning McQueen. Maybe I will get to live out my long lost dreams of being a racecar driver vicariously through her, as she becomes the Danica of the 2030s! KACHOW Baby!!

Just Wait 5 Minutes

Have you ever heard the old saying if you don't like the weather in Wisconsin, wait 5 minutes, it will change? Well, if you don't like your two year old's behavior, wait 5 minutes, it will change.

Inspired by my friend Katie who took her 6 week old and 17 month old to the grocery store by herself, I decided to give it a try with my two kiddos, age 6 months and almost 2 and a half. This was a daunting task but we have a busy week ahead of us, so I decided to risk it in order to have more time with the hubby later this evening.

Leaving the house was a bit crazy. We got going late and I knew I was on borrowed time as far as Liv's eating schedule was concerned. I thought of Elaine from Seinfeld, speeding off in her flannel nightgown and bedhead, to get her annoying ex-fling to the airport. She knew she was crazy for even trying, but she just had to get him out of her house. I was calling myself crazy, thinking this could only end in stress and possibly tears. But we needed detergent and batteries, darn it!

Craziness aside, we made it out the door in one piece and from then on the kids were amazing. Liv slept the whole time. Ash was excited about sitting in the big boy cart. (Think large cart plus red bench that can hold two kids....this thing is massive. It might've been easier to drive an 18 wheeler through the isles of Woodman's, but I digress.) He got a little stir-crazy toward the end so I let him get off the bench. He was an angel. Stayed by the cart. Walked when I said let's go, stopped when I said stop. In the checkout line, he quietly looked over the candy bars, held them one at a time, then gently put them back. He never even asked for one. It really couldn't have gone better. I got into the van with a big sigh of relief. Thank you Lord!

Home at last, I plop Ash in front of a movie and Liv in front of the boppy to play with her activity mat so I can bring in the groceries. I race to get them inside. Check on the kids. Both happy as clams just where I left them. I think to myself, "Wow, great kids. Best in the world. So good." I then scramble to put the groceries away.

This is when I notice it's gotten quiet. Too quiet. The kind of quiet a mom recognizes as bad news. I peer into the living room ..... where is Liv? I forget for a moment where I put her. Wasn't she on the activity mat? Wait a second, where is the activity mat? I don't see it. All I see is Asher laying on top of his comforter in the exact spot where Livie should be. I panic! I freak out! I race to save my smoothered princess! I grab Ash and move him aside. Fearfully I pull back the comforter and there is Liv smiling like this is the best game she's ever played! She doesn't care that he knocked her over, crashing her mat on top of her, then smothered her with a blanket and jumped on top. She just loves being part of the game!

So where did my sweet, rule-following boy go? I do not know. He's upset that I didn't like his game and proceeds to cry on the floor for a good 5 minutes. Finally he's over it but I think the morning is shot. Do I dare try for lunch or just send him straight to bed? A meltdown could ensue at any moment.

Spurred on by the successful shopping trip, I opt for lunch in front of the tv. He agrees. I get him set up, make my own lunch, and sit on the floor next to the coffee table to enjoy my hummus and veggie wrap. This is when sweetheart boy makes his comeback. He looks over at me on the floor and says, "Muma, ju like a chair?" "Why, sure!" I reply and he brings me one from his little table. We sit around the coffee table and enjoy our lunch together, while Liv bounces safely in the jumperoo.

Six Month Old Liv

Sweet Livie went for her 6 month checkup today and all is well. She is 17lbs 4oz which puts her at the 75 percentile. She is 28 inches long which puts her at 98%. Wow! Not sure where that came from....maybe Great Grandma Barb? Liv got one little poke and cried for about 2.5 seconds. She is such a good girl. It was almost harder on Mom than her. Glad that's over with for another month. Six month pictures on Friday! Good times!

Request and Dedication

Grandma sweetly suggested that I add a video to the blog of Asher saying his ABC's. I don't think she said please but I'll still oblige on account of being a proud mama. Of course when taking the video, Asher did not do as well as he usually does. Normally he only misses three letters, E, H, and R but this time he was a little excited about the camera. The ending is hard to make out, it needs a mama's translation: "Next time Asher sing with me". Enjoy!

Asher has had a funny day. When he was eating lunch he kept finding a mama hair on his finger. This happens a lot, as my hair is still falling out in post-pregnancy rebellion. Ash has termed them big, big hairs. So today he was trying to eat his jelly bagel and this hair would not leave him alone. At one point he thought he'd finally tossed it on the floor but it came back again. From the living room I heard him say, "go outside big, big hair!"

This evening he pretended to be eating candy. This doesn't sound like much, but it's the first time he's pretended without props. He came over to me and said, "Mama, I got sumpin for you". He held out his hand and said, "candy". I pretended to eat it and Ash said, "Asher eat candy too......it's delish!" I'm watching him play right now and he's doing several things he hasn't done before. It's like a switch flipped during his nap and suddenly he's older. Fun to watch but bittersweet as my sweet baby boy turns into a big kid.

Miss Liv is six months now and working on those same two teeth. They are clearly visible but still giving her rosy cheeks and a bit of pain. She is rolling everywhere and can sit on her own. She's also started moving in the walker.

Sunday we dedicated her to the Lord. It was a special day shared by the family and celebrated with much love and bbq sauce at Famous Dave's.

Asher wins the Funny Quote of the Day once again with: "Go outside big, big hair!"

Halloween

Babies in costumes are adorable! But let's face it, once you dress them up there's not much to do with them besides snap some photos. So this year we decided to invite friends over who's children were too young to do any serious trick-or-treating. We planned a potluck and nothing else and the party just sort of evolved into a 4 hour fun fest.

There were six families including us. This made for 8 children; the oldest was 4 and the rest were 2 or younger. Everyone gathered at our house, wolfed down a hot dog or brat, donned their costumes, and prepared for trick-or-treating. But before we left, we had to take some pictures of all the kids together. What ensued was a paparazzi-esque photo shoot that left all stunned and one sobbing (Ash).

Trick-or-treating was awesome! So many little ones grabbing for candy and traipsing through leaf piles. Just when I thought Ash had the whole "trick or treat....thank you" down, he forgot and started saying "candy!" when the people came to the door. We basically hit one block and a cul-de-sac before it got chilly. Then we headed back home for more treats and a Veggietales movie.

In the end I think a great time was had by all. I know I had more fun than I expected and that's always a great way for a party to turn out.

PPY Song

It is amazing the things a two year old will pick up. Ash heard the story of Moses and the Red Sea exactly one time at Jr. Children's Church and he's been telling me all about it ever since. His rendition goes like this, "The people walk on the water, Mojo, the bible!" So thank you, Ryan and Erika for your excellent lesson! He may not have appeared to be listening but it sure sank in.

On his very first day at JCC, I stayed with him through the entire class to make sure he was ready to leave the nursery. Miss Sabrina sang a song that neither Ash nor Mama had ever heard before. I sang the song to him a couple of times after that, as much as I could remember at least. Slowly it faded from our limited repertoire and I forgot about it. He continued to ponder it for about a month and suddenly one day started singing it, hand motions and all! So here is a video for you to enjoy. Don't ask me why I took it sideways....

The lyrics to The PPY Song (as titled by Ash) are:
I am so H A P P Y
And I will tell you why
I know that my God loves me
'Cuz he shows me all the time Funny

Quote of the Day: Every time Asher comes across one of the glow sticks he got at the Fall Festival he shouts, "Breadstick!!".

My Nemesis

I swore I'd never buy them again. And yet here they are, on top of my fridge. Rice Krispies. My Nemesis.

Sure they're cute with their snap, crackle, pop sounds. And yes, they make tasty treats. So tasty in fact, that I still ask for them when my Mom asks me what I'd like her to bake for our next visit.

However, as the preferred breakfast of two-year-old Ash, Rice Krispies have turned dastardly in my eyes. It's not because Ash sometimes likes to fish them out with his hands, squeezing all the milk out before shoveling them in his mouth. It's not even because Ash is generous like his father and often offers me a spoonful of Krispies, which I graciously accept while trying to ignore the fact that milk is dripping all over the table, down his arm, and onto his pants and chair. It's the before and after effects that get me.

No matter how carefully you pour the Krispies in the bowl, inevitably a few will fall on the counter and one or two will land on the floor. They will be crushed to bits and then your floor will feel gritty until the next time you sweep. In my house this could be a loooong time. This is annoying but the worst is yet to come.

After the Krispies have been soaked in milk, again some will end up on the floor. They happen to blend in with my carpet so I don't notice them at first. Not until I step on one and confuse it with a slimy booger on the bottom of my sock. Yes, they are sticky and gooey for a time. But that only lasts so long, then the real danger sets in.

I bet you didn't know Rice Krispies were a lethal weapon. They steal away, hiding under the lip of your table, just waiting for the perfect time to attack. I have had run-ins with them several times. On more than one occasion, Ash has gobbled three bowls for breakfast, I've cleaned him up and set to work on the table. Everything looked good, or so I thought. But that one Krispie was hiding there, building it's strength, waiting for me.

After the next meal I wipe up again. Only this time my hand scrapes along the now rock hard and extremely jagged Rice Krispie waiting for me. I swear, I've almost lost blood on those things!

I swore I would never buy them again, but alas, Rice Krispies are one of Ash's favorite cereals. If I have to suffer a few "boogers" on my socks and a couple of intense scratches for him to have his favorite cereal, then I guess I can do that in the name of love.

Funny quote of the day, by Asher: "I play drumma on the potty" - We were getting ready to go to storytime at the library and we were discussing what we'd do there. They have these plastic kids chairs that slightly resemble our potty chair I guess. Asher likes to sit on the floor and drum on them. Apparently to him, it's the highlight of storytime!

Puddles And More

Hello friends and family! Welcome to the new and improved Lein family blog! As you may know, we have been without the internet for 6 months or more. Kyle finally said enough's enough and bit the bullet to get it hooked up again. After two weeks of frustration, we are up and running. The old blog had a boyish theme naturally, since our firstborn is a boy. But with Liv joining our family I thought we better makes some changes. I hope you enjoy Tales From the Minivan!

The last post I wrote was about 5 months ago. A lot of changes happen in a child's life, even in so few months. So rather than try to catch you up on all that's gone on, I will jump right into present day.

And that brings us to this morning and every parent's favorite topic - poop and/or pee. Sweet Asher woke up with damp pajamas. He was wearing head to toe fleece p.j.'s and I don't know if you know how much liquid fleece pajamas can soak up without feeling wet, but it's a lot! They are absorbent to the max. And that's what makes this story all the more unbelievable. When I went to change his sheets, not only did I find wet sheets, blankets, and stuffies on the bed, but I also found a puddle under the bed. Under the bed! How is this possible?

This is not the first time one of my children has performed an incredible bathroom feat. Why, sweet Livie has blown a poop out of her diaper, spraying me and the couch, without getting one single drop on herself or in her diaper. And she has done this not once, but twice! Don't ask me how she did it. Just take my word for it- it's true.

Puddles on the floor, and daily outfit changes for you and your child are all part of being a parent. Not the most fun part, but at least it gives you and your husband something to laugh about.

Hope this post wasn't too much bathroom talk for you to handle. I ensure you future posts will not be as graphic.

And now, onto everyone's favorite part....the pictures. Of course, none relate to today's topic but I'm sure you will enjoy them just as well.

Quote of the day made by Kyle: "I think these two are in cahoots already"

The Lein Family Has Grown

Livie June has arrived! She made us wait until we thought we could wait no longer, but once she decided to come she didn't take long! Just two short hours in the hospital and she was born. Since then she's mostly been sleeping and enjoying visits from Grandmas and Grandpas, Auntie and Sam, and her sweet big brother.

Check out the Lein baby stats. They really don't get much more similar than this.....

Asher was born 6/20/08 at 40 weeks and 4 days at 6:10pm. He was 7lbs 7oz and 19 inches long.

Livie June was born 5/15/10 at 40 weeks and 4 days at 6:24pm. She was 7lbs 7 oz and 20 inches long.

Our Little Girl

Yesterday we had our 32 week appointment, complete with ultrasound for measuring all of the baby's organs. Everything looked great and the tech said she weighs 3 lbs 14 ounces right now and they are estimating she'll be 7.5 lbs at full term. She was a bit bashful and wouldn't' move her hand away from her face no matter how much the tech bounced my belly around.
It looks like she's already working on her pouty face - not good news for Daddy. He'll be wrapped around her finger in half a heartbeat!

After the appointment Kyle and I took Asher for a walk to enjoy the gorgeous weather we've been having. He doesn't love the stroller like he used to so we took the wagon instead. He loved it! He is truly my sweetheart boy - he wanted to hold Mama's hand the whole time we walked! And how could I refuse?

Asher's New Room

Last night was the big event! After Daddy got home from work, the three of us set to work redecorating Asher's room and setting up his big boy bed. We were all exhausted by the time we were done but it was exciting! Ash loved all the balls and was thrilled to be able to climb into bed himself. He even has a bigger chair in his room now so all three of us can fit and read stories together.

We did our normal bedtime routine and tucked him into his big boy bed and didn't hear a peep after that. We checked on him a while later and he was sleeping soundly under his new comforter. This morning I heard him wake up and start chattering a bit - but even then he didn't get out of bed! After 15 minutes or so I went in there to see what he was doing and he was just laying in bed, smiling away! I asked if he wanted to go see Daddy, which is his favorite thing to do on saturday morning, and he didn't want to! He wanted to stay in bed and read books! Hee hee - what a guy!

Here's the old room:



Here's the new room:

Random Daily Events

Spaghetti anyone?














One of Asher's favorite new games to play is Naptime Baby. He lays face down in his little sleeping bag and pretends to cry while I rub his back and say "night night baby".














He's now able to open doors. He loves to go in the coat closet and pull out various hats to wear. Here he's sitting with Uncle Sam - one of his favorite people - at his new table and chairs...the best gift we've ever given him. He didn't play with toys for three days after getting it. He just colored all day, everyday, at the table.














Today we are wearing our vest around the house. This is his winter coat without the sleeves. He's gotta be hot, but he's loving it!

Christmas 2009 Highlights

As part of our Lein Family Christmas, the three of us decorated a cake for Jesus' birthday. When Ash found out he had to wait untill after dinner for a piece, he was not too happy! Mom relented and gave him a piece though...it was a special occasion!
























Ash got some great gifts this year, including a motorized Cozy Coupe! He still hasn't quite gotten the hang of it. You have to hold down the button to make it go and he just pushes it once, and jerks, pushes once, and jerks. I'm sure he'll master it soon though, now that it's down in the basement so he has plenty of room to drive around.






























All of us on the Baldwin side of the family went on a sleigh ride the day after Christmas. It was absolutely perfect! Warm temperatures, gently falling snow, and tons of snow already on the ground. There were so many of us that we needed two sleighs. We stopped along the way for the more adventurous types to jump off the sleigh into the deep snow and wrestle. Then, just before the ride was over, we stopped for a wienie roast complete with hot chocolate and s'mores!

























On the way home, Auntie, Sam, and Little T rode in our car all the way to Superior, WI. Ash wanted T to ride on his lap. Have you ever seen a boy so happy to have a dog on his lap?