Weekending

How is it Monday already?  Where did the weekend go?  

As I sit here and reflect on how we spent our weekend - it makes me happy

to recall so much family time, outdoor time, and time spent celebrating those we love!

Saturday morning we met Auntie Stacy at the mall.  We also met the Easter Bunny. 

Max did not care for the bunny.  He relented enough to give the bunny a "high five" but

he has a totally skeptical look on his face. We bought one 5x7 and called it good. 

Then, we were off to the park.  Mommy forgot to pack the stroller and Max just wanted

to be carried everywhere. 

The only way he could be convinced to walk anywhere was

by playing pretend hide and seek.  He would count to six and let 

Titi hide.  Then, he would come running up to the tree and gaze around the 

side of it.  Big smiles when Titi would be gazing back!

We also explored the nature center (to the point that Max did not

want to leave). And, walked out to the look out point and then back

through the nature center.

He was persuaded into the car by the promise of "nuggies" at Wendy's!

He must have been hungry because he ate all four nuggets, 

a cheese stick, watermelon, a pouch, a few fries (dipped in Ranch) 

and almost the whole milk. Growing boy?  We dropped Titi back 

at her car and headed home for nap!

When he woke from nap - we headed over to Easton mall to celebrate

Grandpa Tim's birthday with dinner at Kona Grill!

Outside the restaurant, they have a large fountain with a lily pad sculpture 

in the middle and some small fountains.  

Mim unloaded her change and let Max toss it all in! 

Max was looking quite dapper in his collared shirt and sweatshirt. 

Not to mention the sunglasses!  What a divo :) 

We wrapped up the coin tossing and went on to have a delicious dinner!

My moscow mule was fabulous (love those copper mugs!), my parents and Papa Rob

raved about the seared salmon, Titi liked her sushi, and Max 

LOVED the giant water fall, huge fish tank, and owl carved from an orange 

that was part of his kids meal. Yum yum all around!

My favorite guys! About two thirds of the way through dinner, Max

was pretty much done with sitting in his high chair.  Thank goodness for 

the two story water fall and chairs next to it that kept him entertained for the rest of the meal. 

We just switched off who was hanging out with him so it worked out. 

Sunday morning brought church (going on five weeks strong!), 

donuts (of course), and a trip to Oakland Nursery. 

While it seems a little early to jump on the flowers train, 

I did anyway and bought a pot of petunias for the front porch. 

Now, let's hope the weather cooperates! 

Max did not want to get out of his beloved car cart and basically threw a giant

tantrum and I had to haul him out.  Ahh...toddlerhood! 

Can't always get what you want!

We had some after nap snuggles in the tent...

he's super into "pretend" sleeping and being covered up 

and ALL THE PILLOWS. 

And then, even though it was cold - we bundled up and headed

to the new to us park called Arbor Ridge.  

It did not disappoint. (see below picture of Titi and Max wrangling a t-rex). 

It was pretty much the makings of a fabulous weekend...

along with some laundry, dishwasher emptying, going to the grocery,

and tv watching thrown in. 

And yeah, that clock we talked about (the okay to wake clock?) - it's not working 

with Max just yet.  And mostly I just want to snuggle him and go back to bed. 

The struggle is real. Thank goodness for weekends!

xoxo

Happy Spring!

I thought the first day of Spring warranted a blog post...just to tell you about

the happenings around the Hauck's Nest. Also, it's my mother in law's birthday - so 

shout out to Grandma Sugar! And Grandpa Tim's birthday on Saturday - can't wait to try a new restaurant called Kona Grill!

Last Sunday it reached into the 60's temperature wise - so you know we spent A LOT

of time outside burning off some energy.  It felt so great to get all the toys out.  And, I do of course mean ALL the toys.  Max tinkered around in the garage like an 80 year old man - pulling out the trucks, then the cozy coupe, then every single ball he owns, then the side walk chalk....you get the idea :)  It made me (and I think him!) so happy to be outside.  

The good weather streak continued through the first part of the week...and we spent almost every

evening when I got home out in the driveway!  Max will sometimes use his feet to power the Cozy Coupe car, but ultimately just likes to be pushed.  He also LOVES to honk the horn and put the key in the ignition! He will also find stuff to put in the cup holders too. 

When Grandmim and Grandpa babysat they found a new park!  Yay!

I about died when they sent us this picture of Max taking on this T-Rex.  :)

Max is definitely getting bolder when it comes to playgrounds. 

He will go down all the slides now by himself.  And desperately wants to climb

these rubber ladders (he told me "big boy" when I told him I didn't think he should be up there).

Honestly, every time Rob hoisted him up there, I think I lost six years off my life. 

 

We also celebrated St. Patrick's day....by making sweets and treats of all kinds!

It started with this rainbow cake (below) - which I undercooked the orange layer of....so

let's just pretend it's there. Then, the red layer split across the top and no amount of icing

was keeping it together (and trust me, I tried). However, my friends at work deemed it

delicious, so I guess three tubs of vanilla icing does make for a yummy cake!

 

 

I also stole the below idea off Pinterest.  While, they didn't photograph

great, they were super cute candy rainbows!  Max took them to school and I took some to work.

Basically it's the candy rolo's for the pot of gold, fruit slices for the rainbow, and marshmallows for the clouds :)  Yum!

 

 

Here we are in our green!  We had green shamrock pasta (from Costco) for dinner.

Feeling really lucky to have these two in my life :)

 

 

Music class also started again this week with Wee Joy Sing!

We were the only family that showed up...so Max got lots of

one on one attention from the teacher.  He did pretty good - lots of free dance, knee bouncing songs, drumming, and rhythm sticks.  And of course, his favorite part - the stamp at the end - called a "la la".

 

 

I don't normally talk a lot about things other than Max on this blog - but we had supper club this week. And, I'm just so thankful this little club of ours has stayed together - going on 4 and half years!  We have seen friends get married, welcome babies, get new jobs, buy houses and on and on. We've even added new members which is nice because gosh it's hard to make friends when you get old. The premise for this "club" started out simple - eat dinner at a new(ish) restaurant once a month with your girlfriends. But, it's turned out to be so much more.  I look forward this evening all month long and I'm so happy these ladies are in my life!

 

 

Now that spring is right around the corner - and we've seen a few sunshiney days, I'm anxious to bust out all the summer clothes!  Hello short sleeves!  Welcome back tank tops! But, I know better than that - no sooner will I turn over a closet than Mother Nature will dump a blizzard on us - so instead I've just been dressing Max up in sunglasses. He didn't like them at first, but once he understood they blocked the sun from his eyes, he was one board.  He has probably six pairs.  The red ones from Grandpa Jim are his favorites...but he can be coaxed into other pairs.

 

 

Speaking of Max again, we started a bad habit of bringing him into our bed to try and get a little more sleep in the morning. 5:30 is just too early.  All was going well and we were happy campers - until he woke up at 11:30 (randomly) and pitched a fit for almost two hours because he wanted "in mommy's bed".  I thought, how long can one child cry for?  Turns out, a long time friends.  He is nothing if not persistent.  He screams from his room "I want out" and "mommy's bed" and "open the door".  Its not exactly music to your hears at one in the morning.  In fact it's terrible.  But, we survived.  And we got an "okay to wake" clock....we shall see if this helps.  I'm hopeful but not too hopeful.  You know?  I took a screen shot of this instagram pic because it was totally me on Thursday at work.  Not to be confused with Zombie - I'm a mombie :)

 

okay friends, have a lovely weekend!  I will be sure to document ours :) 
Word on the street is we might go see the Easter Bunny! 
We will keep you posted.
That's a promise :)
xoxo

March:// Currently

Just some ramblings of what my March looks like so far....

Reading://  Well I have the book Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed.  I read her book "Wild" two summers ago and loved it.  This book was getting rave reviews by other bloggers, so I put it on wait list at the library.  I'm only a couple chapters in but I love it!

Playing:// Hide and Seek all the time in our house with Max...and recently with his Easter Eggs! 

Watching:// You guys, I was introduced to the show The Americans by my friend Lynn (hi Lynn!) - and I signed up for a free trial of Amazon Prime just to watch it. One episode in and I was totally hooked.  So good and so crazy. It's about a Russian couple living in America who are actually KGB agents in the 1980's.  Give it a try.  But, be prepared to use every once of your free time to watch it.

Trying://  To go to bed earlier...but it's so hard!! How am I supposed to watch all my TV? haha! 

Cooking:// I'm not doing a whole lot of cooking these days because Rob is!  We try to menu plan together but ultimately, Max just wants me to play with him when I get home and is unwilling to compromise on this - so Rob makes dinner!

Eating:// Egg salad, Fish Sticks, and Cheese pizza - it's Lent after all :) (no meat on Fridays)  But, also Rob and I are trying to have a salad night once a week so.... we are eating lots of leafy greens and veggies! 

Drinking://  Diet Coke and Coffee!

Calling:// It pretty much rotates between my mom, my sister, and Rob

  

Texting:// my friend Liz about her cookie recipe and how hard it is to take a toddler to church! 

Pinning:// always pinning "projects" that I would someday like to complete.  Also pinning birthday ideas for Max to a "secret" board.  And Easter ideas because I'm obsessed with holidays! 

Crafting:// do to-do lists count? how about roller bottles filled with essential oils?  

Loving://  the extra hour of sunshine thanks to Daylight Savings. 

Discovering:// that disciplining a toddler is no easy business. How do you make a child eat when they won't open their mouth?  Or sit in time out if you walk away?  Or sleep later than 5:15 in the morning?  These are the questions I ponder people. 

Hoping://  That warm weather is here to stay!  Bring on the flip flops!

Celebrating://  every little bite Max eats.  It seems like a battle sometimes to get him to eat (especially proteins).  He loves his snacks, but can one live on applesauce and fruit snacks?  

Considering:// an exercise plan in the evening now that it stays lighter for longer. 

Finishing:// Max's birthday party invitations!  Even though we are just doing a low key donut breakfast with family - of course I had to scour Etsy for the perfect invite :)

Starting:// to think about when I will get fitted for a bridesmaid dress for my friend Candice's wedding (which is in August in Oregon but I want to give myself plenty of time for alterations!)

22 months

Age: 22 months

Stats:  No official measurements because our next doctor’s appointment isn’t until May. I’m guessing he’s about 29 pounds and 34 inches tall (give or take).

Clothing: 24 months for pants – mixed with some 2T and all 2T tops (gotta cover that belly :).  Getting ready to switch over to his spring wardrobe…which is mostly all sized 2T.  Still in a size four diaper.  Size 6.5 shoe.  And we bought rain boots this weekend that were a size 7!

(breakfast in his beloved Thomas Train pajamas)

Favorite Foods:  Cinnamon raisin toast, scrambled eggs, yogurt, strawberries, pineapple, melon, apples, applesauce, pepperoni, any kind of cheese, pasta, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, kraft mac and cheese, carrots, red pepper, pirate bootie, raisins, craisins, crackers, graham crackers, fries, milk, orange juice, smoothies, freeze dried blueberries, fruit snacks, and sometimes pouches (which is sometimes the only way to  get veggies in) – and of course – DONUTS and ICE CREAM!

(hiding in the diapers while mommy and daddy decided which was the better value)

Favorite Words: At this point he talks in small sentences to tell us what he wants – things like “want to go down there” or “here daddy” or “go outside”. I’m honestly sometimes surprised at the words that come out of his mouth – recently he said “computer” and “fence” and “umbrella”.  He picks up a lot of bigger words from watching Super Why. He can pretty much tell you what he wants, for example “want to play games (on the ipad)” or “blocks” or “ new book”.

("oh toodles" on Micky Mouse Clubhouse)

(Often tells us "sit in lap" and then wants to read)

Favorite Activities: Having “picnics” on the family room carpet, dumping his “mushrooms” into and out of the bowls in the his kitchen, sliding down the plastic slide, jumping on the couch (and throwing the pillows off), helping make the bed in the morning, singing (he’s super into singing!!!), dumping out blocks, baskets etc. that are filled with toys, dancing to the “hot dog dance” with Mickey, and walking to the mailbox to check the mail with mommy.

(never tires of the blocks!)

Least Favorite Activity: Diaper changes still rank up there with things that make him cry (sometimes), not being able to watch endless TV, not being able to play on the I-pad when he wants, and getting into the bath.

Favorite Things: His new cardboard (3-D) blocks, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Super Why, Pepe the penguin, wooden trains with magnetic ends, his “phone” (from Grandpa Jim), playing outside (in any kind of weather), playing the piano and singing happy birthday, driving all his plastic cars (of any shape and size), watching videos of himself, and towards the tail end of the month reading lots of books while sitting in your lap.

(jamming out on all the pillows and the piano)

Signature Moves:  demanding “nuggies” from the backseat of the car while in the drive through, loving the parachute activities at music class, asking for Pepe and a blanket every night as we rock and tuck in, asking everyone to dance the hot dog dance, saying “come mommy come” or “come daddy come”, saying “I nakey” and running around like a crazy person before bath, loves playing hide and seek, trying to put his feet back in the onesie that he slept in while you’re trying to get him dressed, saying “I poopy” every time you peek in his diaper, asking for orange juice in the morning, singing little snippets of songs or telling you which songs that he wants you to sing (i.e. “ballgame” or “spider”), saying “ti ti” every time you ask who’s coming over?

(getting pulled in the sled)

(gathering up groceries at Trader Joes)

Mom’s Proudest Moment: 

Surviving the horror that was nail clipping.  We usually cut his nails once a week, no problem.  This particular time, I accidently cut his ring finger nail way too short and it started bleeding – A LOT.  Horrifying. He cried for a minute but then did tolerate the band aid. What a champ!

Dad’s Proudest Moment:  surviving Church! 

(exploring High Banks Nature Center)

Other Milestones:

-Can sing the ABC’s unprompted

- Can sings bits of other songs (Take me out to the ballgame, She’ll be coming around the mountain, itsy bitsy spider, humpty dumpty)

-Counting anything and everything – seems to like the number 6.

-Can identify the letters M, X, and A

- Knows the diamond and circle shape

-Knows the color yellow (all other colors not so much)

-Still working on “sharing”.

-Only uses paci for sleep (no more day time use or even car use)

-Very good at animal identification

-Learned how to jump!