Catching Up!

Day 3 of The "Twins"- and woah- check it out! Poor Nathan is my scale in which I measure Chase's growth against. I think it's fair to say that Chase has caught up on size- and thereby justifies some of his weird moods/sleep patterns. Crazy! Nathan weighed in at 12 lbs 3 (? I think)oz, and 23 1/4" at his doctor's appointment yesterday... I measured Chase the other day, and he is right around 23" too... Finally! Our hard work paying off (lol).... Goofballs! I'll probably post pictures throughout the day...they are napping now- shhhhhh!

and of course Kaely getting in on the photo action... her all black fashion statement today- even down to the barrettes in her hair- oh boy :)

Moody Mondays

Debated on whether or not I'd get around to posting today- our "schedule" was kind of out of whack, and it's just been one of those days. I don't normally have Kaely here on a Monday morning, but due to schedule changes, she was here. So instead of attempting to sleep in this morning, I had to get up and walk- (self inflicted, I know). Dropped Dave off at the airport around 7 last night, only to find out they had some mechanical issues, and what ended up being a 3+ hour delay. So I stayed up for a while worrying about whether or not he would even be flying out, or if I'd be heading back to the airport to get him. Fortunately he did make it out, but what a mess! Chase actually slept almost through the night- but he's been either growing again or not feeling well, because it's nothing but restless sleeping (throw in some fussing off and on while he's half asleep) and eating all day. I think he's been up for maaaaybe 2-3 hours total today. Definitely not normal. Kaely tried to convince me to let her stay home "sick" - but after I said she wouldn't be able to watch tv or play at all, she started to give up on that, so we walked to school afterall. Add in the crazy, rogue armadillo that apparently didn't realize it was daytime- I just have been feeling off-kilter- today would've made a better Friday the 13th.

On the bright side, once the fun homework fights were over, and got around to making dinner, finally kicked up my feet and enjoyed vegging. Hoping Chase feels better soon- so strange to have him out of it for this long :( Wish me luck- day 3 of the "boys" tomorrow- starting at probably 6am- so off to sleep I go!

Sunday at Home...

Ahhhh... how nice to be able to sleep in- okay- didn't mean I got to- but I could've! Sit and watch the news with a cup of coffee, not stressing about being anywhere or doing anything. Even got to walk to Publix with the boys for "fun" -enjoy the gorgeous morning outside. Played in the kitchen and had an actual meal for lunch (our home version of Chipotle), and am now lounging around while the boys nap and before I get to play some more for dinner- before bringing Dave back to the airport this evening. That's the worst part of it all, but it is easier than the 3-4 hour drive. Hope everyone's having a great weekend!

Yummy Saturday!

Our day to splurge today. The weekends give me a freedom and excuse to cook and experiment- which is exactly what I plan to do! Started with using a certificate at Krispy Kreme this morning for some hot donuts right off the belt... then on to making the spicy Cilantro & Lime wings I saw on the show, The Chew... yum! The plan is a gorgonzola steak and salad later, with a stab at making a cheese & herb risotto later, and then imitating Chipotle tomorrow with a burrito (bowl) - black beans, cilantro lime rice, etc...

Phew! Hopefully Chase can handle the different foods... for an overcast day, it's not so bad :)

Snooze Button Blues

Ha... a song on Jewel's new children's album (thanks again- we're having fun with it!)- it made me laugh & relate! Trust me, if it weren't for coffee, you wouldn't want to be anywhere near me with the way our mornings have been... Chase is keeping up with his every 2-3 hour feedings throughout the night (again/still), and with this cold I've been battling, sleep is imperative! So the sound of that darn alarm going off instantly puts the cranky into me :) Fortunately by the time I get the coffee, a smiling (usually) Chase, Kaely's babbling, dogs fed, etc- and are walking out the door in the fresh air, I'm much better :)

Today was our day to walk on to the grocery store since we don't pick up Kaely from school, and I'm trying to keep up with the 4 miles a day- at least during the week. Something about the transition from outdoors into the grocery store sets off Chase every time. I walk briskly for the items on my list and try to make it out without terrorizing too many people. Fortunately a couple ladies in front of me started making faces and noises at him after I put him back in the stroller, and it was enough to make him stop screaming and smile for a minute- go figure! Oh well- he's gotta get used to it eventually... right???

On the bright side- seems the feedings may be paying off. Playing on the scale at the store, while not exactly precise or always reliable- still shows that he is in the 12 lb ballpark right now. Pretty darn awesome! Glad it's him getting heavier and not me getting weaker- LOL.

We also had our adventures on the way back to the house- complete with the baby alligator, and one of our roses blooming that I had to bring into the house. Kind of in shock at the moment having a night to myself... We'll see how Chase sleeps tonight and how well that alarm clock treats me in the morning to head to the airport :)

Happy 15 weeks!

Our "Monkey Spy Cam" :)

Operation: Sandhill Crane

These cranes have gone back for a couple years now- specifically this pair has gone back at least since last year. How do I know? Because the one has a foot that is inverted- which is just like my duck's that I had raised from an egg as a kid- his was like that too. Kaely had named the two Allie & Alexander. The video was from last December in our backyard- they have little fear of us- which in turn startled Kaely- lol

Since we got home from the hospital in January, and began walking to school in February, I noticed that they had built a nest in the middle of a dried up retention pond a couple houses down from us. I pass it every day- about 4 times when you consider taking Kae to school and back. The mother crane always raises her head and watches us as we pass. The father (the one with the messed up foot) is always out scavenging for food. I've noticed that she has been planted in the nest for the past month- I'm not sure if the egg has hatched yet, but I know it'll be soon if it hasn't. I was concerned a week or so ago when we were expecting a lot of rain- since the ponds are normally very full- I thought the nest/egg/baby might get washed out. 

Little did I know there were greater concerns. I noticed some surveyors the other day with blueprints out, and discussing the plant growth (with such low water levels, of course all sorts of grasses have grown over), I didn't expect to see them putting out flags a couple days later, and then today I was startled to see the tractor out in one of the three retention ponds, starting to dredge it up (again- this was done last fall). The worries are over the fact that this nest is going to be disturbed as a minimum- if not actually destroyed. Fortunately- this was not the pond being worked on today- but I know it seems to be on the agenda. 

I made some calls, as the Sandhill Crane is a federally protected species. I am trying to find out who is in charge of the project- the county, the homeowner's association, or someone else? There are a few resources I uncovered, and am hoping that at least these birds have a chance to relocate before the work is done. I know that they can do so once the baby is a bit bigger, but until then... I guess I'm one of "those." Being around a family full of real estate people- I know this is their worst nightmare- but to me? I have a personal attachment to this little family, and I can't help but try and fight for them. 

"Allie" in her nest

Infamy

Enjoying the last bit of "cool" weather this morning (highs in the upper 70's), we had our brisk walk to school, and starting with the crossing guard, to the vice principal, to the other parents, and teachers at the car-rider line... everyone curious now- do I have one baby or two today? haha. Which- Raeshel was with me, so we had both babies- just not attached to me :) Made me kind of chuckle since especially after their screaming contest yesterday, we are well known for chaos... 

I am thoroughly enjoying my quiet morning with just one kid for a bit- wrong to say, I know (love you Kae!) but still... ahhhhh ;) I need to recover, especially battling a cold the past week too- not enough time in the day to do it all and rest. These silly kids!