sick, sick, and more sick

We have had a wave of illness go through our home the past couple of weeks. It started with Ethan who, after a weekend of 103+ fever, was finally diagnosed with 2 ear infections and a cold, which was starting to turn into RSV. After a week of antibiotics he was much better, then Ronnie got sick. He was not nearly as sick as Ethan. He had a fever of about 101 for a few days, a pretty bad cough, and the personality of an irritated bear. I knew when I had been coughed in the face the 10th time at point-blank range that I had no chance... the illness was coming my way. Sure enough, a few days later Mommy was sick too. Ugh! I'm on the road to recovery now, thank goodness. But now Ethan has a fever again- 101.8 this time! Will it ever stop? Actually, I'm am pretty sure that Ethan's ear infection didn't get fully taken care of the first time around. And that is due to my own negligence. I started to get a little lacks on the antibiotics the last few days... he was all better and I just kept forgetting. Don't judge me! I know all that about taking antibiotics properly and if you don't your body will build up resistance and then they won't work when you really need them and all that... but it still gets hard to remember on day 10 when your kid hasn't been sick for a week and you're rushing out the door, trying to get kids fed, shoes on feet, and 100 things gathered you "might" need on your trip to Target. So there you have it, the ear infection is back, so please no "I told you so"s.

Here is just a cute picture from right before sick-fest. And yes, Ronnie is showing his chest to the camera. Ethan had discovered Ronnie's nipple right before this picture... a hilarious moment which was also captured on film but cannot be posted because of too much "exposure."

Unabomber

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago when it was so cold outside. Imagine my surprise when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw that the unabomber* was in Ronnie's seat!

*Dear FBI, please don't profile me because I wrote the word "unabomber" on my blog.

Ronnisms

Mommy: Let's read a book

Ronnie: Okay. (Turning to speak to his stuffed animals) Is everyone situated?

Mommy (Trying to avoid the play area in the mall because we were in a hurry): Let's not play in there today, it looks crowded and dirty.

Ronnie: I LOVE crowded and dirty places. Crowded and dirty is my FAVORITE.

Peacocks

While we were driving home today 2 wild peacocks walked across the street in front of our car. We have a street in our neighborhood where lots of wild peacocks live, they sort of camp out in front of one house in particular so I don't normally see them trotting down this road. They were BEAUTIFUL with their long, vibrantly colored tails. I can't help but stop and watch them for a bit. I think about the awesomeness of our Creator and the workmanship and artistry in His creation. Ronnie was very concerned that they were going to get hit by a car, and so was I for that matter with drivers speeding by on their cell phones. Now, I'm a cell phone talking kinda driver myself so I really shouldn't knock it, but the thought of one of those peacocks becoming roadkill (like the skunk we passed a few yards back) makes me shudder. They did make it to the other side safe and sound so you can all breathe a sigh of relief... ah.

Pardon the quality, I took this with my phone

This was a pleasant end to our outing, which had begun by me getting a $200 ticket for having an expired inspection sticker. Yes, I was stopped just for the sticker! I'm not sure if I was more annoyed that there was probably actual crime taking place less than a mile from where I was at the time or that I didn't take the 20 minutes to just get it inspected in the first place. Regardless, I will be making a trip to the car place tomorrow to get it taken care of. I only hope I get to pass the peacocks again to brighten my day, especially since my dining out budget is now shot for the month.

Caught in the act

Oh sweet boy, don't you know that Mommy has eyes in the back of her head?

Go Horns Go

I won't say anything about the game (sniff sniff), I will just post some pictures of the fun we had getting ready for it. Our good friends Jon and Amy came in town and some other of our college friends came over, so at least we pleasant company to take our minds off the disappointing loss.

Ethan is still working on his hook'em horns

Sorry there aren't more pictures of Ronnie, he was asserting his independence and refusing to have his picture taken

See marshmallow men below

Jon and Amy have a little boy who is 4 days older than Ethan. It was so fun to see them interact with each other... they are already best buds.

Cold day fun

It has been entirely too cold for us warm blooded Texans the last few days so we have pretty much resolved to stay indoors for the time being. I mean just to get a 3 year old and a 12 month old dressed and out the door in these subfreezing temps is daunting. Hats (which the little one takes off every 30 seconds to suck on it), scarves, coats, and gloves... they look like little marshmallow men with their arms sticking straight out. And then to try to fit all that in the car seat... I'll just stay inside thank you very much.

So, that being said, we have come up with all sorts of indoor games.

#1: Snowball Fight

Ducking behind furniture and overturned laundry baskets in

an attempt to pummel your loved one with a "snowball"

The ammo... paper balls

Even Ethan thought this was the greatest game ever

Who would have thought that a few wads of paper could be so much fun. Ronnie liked playing "snowball fight" so much that we had to save our snowballs and play again when daddy came home... and the next day... and the day after that.

#2: Wii Fit

Who needs to go outside to get some exercise?

In fact, you don't even need to change out of your pjs.

#3: Reindeer Games

Boy Mom

Since this blog (I have a blog!) is going to be mostly about my family... and more specifically, my 2 little boys, I thought I would start with sharing with you a few of my favorite quotes about boys. They will lay a foundation for what will follow in future posts as I share with you joys and trials of being a mom to two little boys. Can I get an AMEN to these... if you are a mom to a boy then you know!

Some parents say it is toy guns that make boys warlike. But give a boy a rubber duck and he will seize its neck like the butt of a pistol and shout "Bang!"
George F. Will

A treasure to a little boy does not consist of money, gems or jewellery. He will find far greater pleasure in the wonder of a rock, pebble, stick or beetle.
Author Unknown

I really like this one because we watch ALOT of baseball at our house. Go Rangers!

Baseball is where boys practice being men and men practice being boys, and they get real good at it.
Mary Cecile Leary

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys."
Harmon Killebrew

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.
Mark Twain

And last, but not least, a slightly cheesy one that is oh-so true.

There has never been, nor will there ever be, anything quite so special as the love between a mother and a son.

Author unknown