Happy birthday (a day late) to my sweet Alex.

Buddy,

I can't believe that you turned 2 yesterday. As much as I don't want to admit it (and you either judging by your response of "no, stop it" when I sang to you) you are growing up. It seems like just yesterday that I was snuggling you in my hospital bed and wondering if your little elf ear would correct itself (it did). And now you are my big boy, and a great big brother.

So much has changed in the past year. Last year at this time you were just starting to say a few words and taking tiny, wobbly steps. Now you run and climb and jump and move non-stop. You love to sing, and speak very clearly for your age. You have a unique sense of humor, and love to tell your knock-knock joke.

Knock Knock...Who's there?...Cow...Cow who?...MOO!! (followed by endless giggles)

You have the sweetest little laugh, and your smile can melt my heart. You have always been able to light up a room. You also know how to get yourself out of trouble. You look up at me with those giant brown eyes, say "Sorry mommy. Hug?" and I just can't resist. Same goes for the cute pleas of "Mommy, hold you?" or "Snuggle me!"

You love the water, whether it be at the lake, or in the tub. You are also starting to get big into trains, cars and planes. In fact, Papa bought you and your brother your first train table for Christmas, and you haven't stopped playing with it.

Buddy man, we love you very much and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for you.

Who's your daddy?

I arrived a daycare for the program a bit early this morning, and sat down with the kids as they ate snack. While I was sitting there talking to them, one of the dads asked if Alex was my son. I said yes, and he proceded to tell me that when he had walked in, Alex had come running over and bear hugged him around the legs. I was pretty darn embarrassed, but just kind of laughed about it, apologized, and then went back to talking.

Later on it dawned on me. The guy was younger, and of a similar build and hair color as the kids' father. How sad...My poor little guy hugged someone thinking it was his father because he doesn't even know what he looks like anymore.

Christmas program and more sickies

Over the weekend Evan seemed sleepier than normal, so I decided Monday to take him back to the doctor to see if his ears were still bothering him. I made the appointment, and before I could even call daycare to let them know I would be picking them up, my phone rang. It was daycare...I needed to come get Alex immediately, as they suspected he had pink eye. Wonderful. I suddenly was taking two boys to the dr in the freezing cold. After a bunch of crying (Alex, not me) the doctor confirmed that not one, but both boys had ear infections and Alex definitely had pink eye. Fabulous...3 prescriptions later, and we were on our way home.

The good news is that I was still able to take them all to daycare today. Which is good, because today was Kyanne's dance program. I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time. There were only 3 girls, ages 3, 4 and 5 and for some reason the other 2 decided to be very shy. One stood there and refused to do anything, one joined in a little bit and soon was distracted by her belly button, and then there was Kyanne. I was so proud of her. She kept right on going following along with her teacher. And little Buddy was standing by me watching intently and trying to follow along as well. It was so much fun!

Fabulous...

Yet another crazy stressful week. Quick breakdown: Behind on homework again, pretty sure Evan's ear infection still hasn't cleared up, Kyanne and Alex have been slightly evil..and now this...

Tonight we came home and discovered a Wal-Mart bag hanging from our door with a note attached. Inside were 2 raggedy stuffed animals and a happy meal barbie. WTH... Oh it gets better..the note said:
Kyanne, Alex, Evan
I love you very much
Love Dad

Too bad he doesn't care enough to actually be a father. Or to make sure child support gets paid.

Lucky for me the kids can't read and bought my elf story.

One more thing

During the extended weekend I finally caved and took the kids for haircuts. One of my good friends is a cosmotologist and did it for me. Neither boy sat very well, but in the end they looked a lot less shaggy. Kyanne was thrilled when one of the other girls offered to give her "princess hair". She is adamantly opposed to the idea of getting a haircut, but the girl was sneaky and trimmed off half an inch while she was curling it.

Still alive...barely

What a crazy past few weeks! I am getting tired of sick children! Buddy finally started feeling better last week, in time for Kyanne to get the pukies and Evan's ear infection to start making it's presence know. Poor baby has had the same ear infection for about a month now. We are on round two of antibiotics. If this doesn't work, I might request tubes. They worked wonders for Alex.



Speaking of Alex, he has been having major behavoir problems. Definitely entering the terrible twos! He hits, throws things, backtalks, and yesterday bit Kyanne for no reason. I am not really sure what to do with him. Time outs seem to have no effect on him, although he has become pretty good at sucking up to me afterwards.

We survived Thanksgiving craziness and the 4 day weekend. Started out rough though after drama at my mother's house which ended in her saying she wanted nothing to do with me and to tell the kids they don't have a grandma anymore. Just what I need to freakin deal with! So I had the not-so-fun task of talking to Kyanne about it. I will not be the bad guy, and I will not lie to my kids. So now Kyanne has been saying things like "Now my Memo doesn't want to see me, just like my daddy doesn't want to". It kills me, but I have to be honest with her. I want her to know that I will always be open with her, and that I am always here for her. However, I am considering finding a counselor for her to talk to.

Because of all the sickies going around my house, and the drama, and the naughty toddler, I have had zero time to work on school work. Thank God my instructor is understanding and has given me an extension. Now if only I weren't too exhausted to start on it.

And it continues

Buddy ran a fever all day yesterday as well, didn't sleep worth a crap last night, and woke up this morning looking like this:

No clue why, but the poor little guys eyes were all swollen. Luckily that went away, but his yucky nose and cough are still sticking around. I can't wait for the kid to be himself again. I don't know when the last time was he (or I) got a good night's sleep. Finger's crossed he will feel better tomorrow.