Life's just beachy

What to do on a beautiful January morning?  We headed out to the beach of course and even though it wasn't warm enough to go swimming (that didn't stop some diehards notice exhibit A. to the left and B. to the right - clearly not locals!) we ventured out and walked the beach, played in the sand and had a nice morning enjoying the sunshine.  It's good to spend January in Florida.  It was Q's first remembrance of the beach.  Last summer we spent quite a few weekends on the sandbars of Wisconsin's western border on the Big Muddy so Quinny's familiarity with beach got a new definition.  He remarked to Carrie, "Mom, I really really like this beach."  And sold.  We need to spend more time at the beach we collectively decided. 

Today is Gasparilla here in Tampa. It's a 300,000 pirate invasion.  Gasparilla is a south Florida version of pirate mardi gras complete with parades, beads and plenty of adult refreshments.  To combat the idiocy they hold a child friendly Gasparilla the weekend before.  We spaced it and already had plans last weekend so we weren't able to attend.  We have decided that if we don't have another child next year we're hosting a Gasparilla event and expect some of you north pole dwellers to come down and join us for some good old fashioned debauchery.  We're banking on my parents having some sort of snowbird residence by then that can double as a daycare for the weekend.  ...Thanking you in advance!  Mark your calendars!

Lazybones Gavin still is refusing to walk but can officially stand on his own as of yesterday.  You would think that means walking is around the corner but at the rate he makes progess it could be another 2 months.  To help with the process at school they are moving him from the one year old room back to the nursery so he can get more one on one time.  He never started in the nursery and if he would've started at this daycare he wouldn't have graduated without knowing how to walk.  Gavin will walk if you hold his hands but isn't interested in practicing for more than a few minutes at a time.  Everyone says it's at their own pace and there is nothing to be concerned about except our backs from lugging this 25 pound kid around all the time. 

Our very own Tom Sawyer

Other than that spitting and screaming are the two favorite pastimes around here.  Boys.  They are certainly boys.  Here are some pics from the beach this morning.

One last thing.  We have yet another member on the caring bridge site writing a blog about her latest illness.  Meagan is blogging too, so more competition for me.  This link will get you there.  I will post the link by Mindy & Cory's in the upper left corner of the site too. 

The Needle Incident

Doing his best impression of Lucky

First, a quick note about the Packers.  Ya, ya, they threw away the best season in Green Bay history and were the first 15 win team to blow their first playoff game.  (That has to be a pretty small list doesn't it)?  My folks were at the game.  I also want to note that they were at the pivotal must win Brewer game against St. Louis where they took a shellacking too and were unceremoniously bounced out of the playoffs.  I'm not saying they're bad luck, I'm just saying they didn't invite me.  Let's agree to never discuss it again - the game, not my parents.  We can talk about my parents and there knack for showing up at the wrong end of a blowout whenever you want.

Getting out of his bed for the first time solo!

The boys went to the doctor for a shot extravaganza this week.  Unfortunately I couldn't be there for all the needle stabbing but I heard there was a considerable amount of screaming.  "Now, this is going to feel like a mosquito bite...." Really?!  I mean really?  C'mon lady have you ever been bit by a mosquito before?  It's more like, now son here bite down on this piece of wood and I have this box of suckers for you if you grin and bear it.  Q had to go first because there was fear he would run away if he watched Gavin get his three first.  Ya, three.  And she did them one by one.  The good looking nurse is a little more quality and gives them all at once in one fast stabbing action.  Now, that's worth the $30 co-pay.  You can't sneak that through either.  Even though you bring them in for a two-fer stabbing they still gouge you for a double co-pay.  But I'm only taking up one room and one nurse and let's face facts you're being more efficient.  (He whispers into my ear, "...and more profitable! Have to make those porsche payments!)"

The fellas are tall.  Both exceeded the 95th percentile.  I'm still thinking a quarterback or pitcher is the way to go.  We do live in blue chip country.  Q is 41 inches tall and 41 pounds heavy, like a sack of potatoes.  Carrying that kid around is providing some nice pipes for beach season.  Even at that weight he's only in the 75th percentile.  We are going broke at the grocery store.  Turns out Gavin has a big melon.  He's in the 95th percentile for brain power.  Wahoo!  He weighed in just under 26 pounds and was 32 1/2 inches tall.  You wouldn't know it though, because the kid refuses to walk.  Some day I'm sure he'll decide crawling stinks.  He eats like a maniac, though.

All in all two healthy demanding boys.  We're happy about that.  Both took their total of four shots like champs as long as you ignore the crying.  I have a great bath story for tomorrow.  I've been saving it. 

Routine?

The holidays are behind us and we now start the long trek to Spring Break before getting a work breather (or school!).  It sounds like it's been a tough holiday season for a lot of our friends and family.  Carrie's cousin, Meagan, formerly of Tampa fame has been doing a pretty long stint in the hospital and will be there for a bit longer.  The doctors had a tough time diagnosing her but they finally have with an auto-immune disorder.  She's a youngster, only 19, an aspiring photographer/farmer - what you didn't major in something weird? so it's a bitter pill to swallow.  I am not a doctor but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn last night so I'm pretty sure she'll get through it.  From my not extensive research it sounds like she'll have a pretty good bout on her hands but once she gets through it she should be back to normal, well, normal for a 19 year old farming photographer. 

I already made a work trip to Cedar Rapids this year so I was able to visit her in the hospital.  I was being my moron self providing some chuckles from the crowd in a serious situation.  I come cheap if anyone wants to hire a moron for their office or children's birthday parties.  Any well wishes or prayers will be well appreciated.  I was glad I was able to visit and only wish I could get back there sooner. 

I hope everyone is also reading Cory and Mindy's blog.  Cory seems to be doing well and the family continues to stay in high spirits.  It makes you proud to know people that can go through such an ordeal and come out with what appears to be never ending smiles.  Kudos to them and their family.  I know they appreciate all the notes being left on their site.  It's great to hear that the surgery went so well and Cory is ahead of his healing schedule.  The tumor was the size of a softball - wow! 

Here at home we're getting back into our abnormally sleepless normal routine.  Quinny finally made the transition into a toddler bed.  Hooray!  I think we could have kept him in that crib until he was 18.  Not one time did he ever attempt or actually escape from that thing.  Now that he's made the transition he still doesn't realize or isn't, anyway, getting out on his own.  He still calls for us, which is a nice way of saying, "DADDDY! DADDY!" screaming in the morning to make sure we didn't forget about him up there.  Gavin is sleeping through the night 95% of the time but gets up every day at 5 am or earlier.  We have recently decided to start taking turns getting up.  Up to this point we've been bringing him to bed with us but he's found a new talent - screaming in the highest of high pitch screams like it's his job.  That just didn't go over so he's bound to his room, which means one parent is bound to the recliner.  Who doesn't love kids?!  5 am is just a little too early.  If we could squeeze another hour out we would be fine.

Both boys go in for their 3 year and 15 month check ups respectively so we should have some height and weight updates.  Q is a brute but Gavin is taking over as eating champion.  It's hard to believe but at the moment Gavin is consuming everything and when his plate is empty he uses that aforementioned high pitch scream to encourage you to provide more food.  You should see how fast we mow dinner.  Between the screeching, throwing of food, dog scarfing scraps it's quickly turning into the messiest most frustrating event of the evening.  We actually have to encourage Q to eat because he's so easily distracted he's turned feedings into a non-stop event but Mom and Dad need a breather once in a while and we don't want a messy kitchen waiting to be cleaned up until 9pm.  When is couch time!?

Happy New Year!!

Do you have any idea how hard it is to take a picture with 2 kids and a dog plus a 10 second timer on a camera?  This was the best we could do.  Happy New Year!  Here's to a great 2012!  Cheers!