The McGloin Family

Visiting with Family - May 30th, 2012

Yesterday we got a visit from Aunt Joan, Uncle Gordon and cousin Jacob. Colin met Jacob 2 years ago, so he didn't really remember him. They had a great time playing. If you need proof just look at the playroom. The boys ran from room to room laughing and having a ton of fun. Jacob liked that he could carry Jasper around. And Jasper liked it too. He had a personal chauffeur all night.

By the end of the visit everyone was pretty tired. Jasper didn't even have time for a picture.

Tonight the boys had some underwear time. Jasper loved it. 

Every now and then Erica surprises me with pictures of the boys. Here are a few.

Watching daddy walk to work.

Very serious face.

For some reason this one won't turn. Anyway, Erica announces when it's craft time and this guy head for his chair. He used to hate paint, now he loves it. Here he's painting a frame for me.

Colin has really begun to chatter. His speech is clearer and his speech therapist noticed it's less singsong, which is great. Yesterday he told me to, "Go to bed now mommy and cry." I'm thinking he heard that at school. He seems to think it's a real riot and says it often. When he says it I tell him it's not nice and then Jasper laughs his kiester off. It doesn't help that daddy is laughing too. Way to discipline daddy. Anyway, at least he's talking.

Have a nice week,
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi 

Memorial Weekend - May 28th, 2012

This weekend started out with a bang. Early Friday I went for a run in the park. It was gorgeous out. Later I cashed in on a certificate Ryan got me to Bliss for a facial. It was splendid and very pampering. We had a fun seafood lunch afterward and then I let Erica go home early. Jasper and I played and then went to get his big brother.

Behold, more pictures than you've ever seen in one blog. Sorry, it was too hard to whittle down.

This shot reminds me of a teaser to a soap opera. I love the intense look on his face. In reality he was playing with his garbage truck.

I turned around for a second and returned to this.

We went to Costco yesterday and scored these awesome aqua zookas. They shoot water all the way to the garage deck. Colin has yet to figure out that shooting these at people would be extra fun. He does almost take us out with it when he's swinging it around.

Glad Julie wasn't gardening. He doesn't exactly check before shooting.

Colin fills and shoots it really well. Jasper uses it to sweep up.

We love the new outdoor rug. There has been a lot less slipping on the watery deck because of it.

Menaces to the neighborhood.

Jasper looks pained when he eats frozen treats. This was his first popsicle, he loved it. Colin had two in a row. I think it might have been extra nice for Jasper. He's battling a new molar. Yesterday and today he whined quite a bit. Then today I felt the new tooth. It's big and looks painful. Poor baby.

Jasper doesn't allow Colin to cuddle without him.

A chalk train.

Colin and Jasper soak these balls and then suck the water out of them . . . from this tub . . . that bugs land in and Pippi drinks from. Actually, the bug part grosses me out more than Pippi.

The lure of Peter Pan was the only thing that would bring them back inside. Jasper made me read him the book 4 times in a row yesterday, so I gave it a shot. Of course Colin was game, he loves Peter Pan. Jasper sat for a bit, but sitting still isn't really his thing.

We headed back out this morning. We had bananas, water, crackers and a peanut butter sandwich. I had to refill the crackers twice. It was tough since I won't leave them out alone. Colin was willing to come in for the 30 seconds it took to refill, but not Jasper. Lets just say I had to carry him in and then he laid on the ground screaming. Once we were back outside he was all smiles and devoured a great deal more crackers.

Wet chalk is quite messy.

He sure isn't a baby anymore, and yes, he loves to smile for the camera.

I really love this new side table, it works well as a bucket too. Jasper went to town on that tiny box of raisins.

No cameras please.

Warning: Camera thief in the house.

When I asked this fellow if he had seen a camera thief, he pointed both arms and said he went that way. He sure knows how to trick'em.

Someone is bored.

Ella and her daddy paid us a visit today. 

Ella is very cute. She let me pick her up and even held my hand. By the way, she's light as a feather. Jasper is a very solid little guy and surprisingly heavy. The difference was noticeable. She gave Jasper a kiss. Colin gave her a hug and a kiss and said, "Hi Ella." He told us later he had fun with her. I'm sure she had a hard time seeing that when he was yelling because she touched his train. Sorry about that Ella, he's like that with everyone.

I spotted him staring at her a few times.

Ella going in for a smooch. She didn't seem to mind that Jasper had just eaten a piece of chalk.

Colin painted his face with chalk.

Before this was taken Colin was filling his orange bucket and dumping it over. He went to the catwalk and did it again. This time it was followed by a man yelling. When he found out it was only water and was tossed by a 3 year old, he laughed. We apologized and had Colin say sorry. Since saying sorry has been his thing lately, he was more than happy to say it. He even repeated it so the man could hear him.

Today Colin was quite chatty. While singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," he stopped mid song and said, "Sing daddy." Then he started over so they could both sing. His conversations are getting more lengthy. He does still have his tangents on his own, but is becoming more spontaneous with us and saying longer sentences. Earlier he told Ryan and me to, "Open up, here you go." Don't worry, he was only feeding us raspberries.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the men and women who have and continue to serve our country. We send out additional prayers to all those who gave their lives for our freedom. Hope you have a nice evening.
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi 

Hot Weekend - May 20th, 2012

Saturday was a hot one. We took the boys to the park and the heat was noticeable. They both were soggy and red in no time. 

Jasper found this red thing with wheels on it. No idea what it was, but he loved it. For awhile at least.

Then he abandoned it. Shortly after this kid found it and as you can see from Jasper's stance, he wasn't giving it up so easily. (Even though, as I mentioned before, he had abandoned it.) 

So after I took this Jasper followed this other boy. I was excited because I thought he had made a new friend. Really though he was waiting for this kid to drop the toy so he could make off with it. . . and abandon it again. You know how it works, you give something up and as soon as you see someone with it, you realize you need it back. But really, you don't.

He loves his hat. It used to be his big brothers and was equally as cute on him.

This was Colin two years ago. I was pregnant with Jasper in this picture. I think the boys resemble each other a bit and they share some funny personality traits.

I simply adored Colin in his swim trunks. He was so chubby and cute.

Colin is more slender, but look at the belly on Jasper. I love it so much. He insists on wearing these shoes most of the time, even inside. I'm not a fan of wearing shoes inside, especially walking to work everyday and seeing how gross the sidewalks can be. But he doesn't do a lot of sidewalk walking, so we make an exception for him. Colin's a nudist, so we don't have this problem with him.

By the way, they worked pretty well together at the water table. They'll be spending a lot of time at this table this summer, so I'm glad it's going so well.

Although it was hot, the water in the table was freezing. Jasper's teeth were chattering but he carried on. The boys kept trying to fill their cups from the faucet, but the stupid thing is really hard to pump. Bad design.

I think I posted a few weeks ago that Colin's teachers laughed when they told me they timed him one day at the sink. He washed his hands/played in the water, for over 10 minutes. They also mentioned he loves the water sensory table at school. I'm not surprised, he loves baths and dipping his face in the water. I want to get him into swimming again, I think he'd love it.

This dude kept putting water on his head, splashing and so on. He really plays hard and is super curious. Had to take time to rehydrate. He's got the right idea. Better than the water from the sink they both insisted on drinking.

Don't worry, he didn't spot a UFO. I think it was one of the tiny planes that flies above Wrigley Field. Thank God!

Look at my handsome guy. Barely any baby fat on him. He's such a big boy. I called him a little boy the other day and he said "big." So I said, "what?" And he repeated it and said, "I'm a big boy, not little." He's right. Luckily my big boy still likes to give me kisses, dances with and hugs me.

Lots of planes and helicopters with NATO here. Actually, we always see lots, but more jets and so forth this weekend. The boys love it.

No nap today.

He did this repeatedly as I said not too. The next time was an entire handful. 

Jasper woke up right after. When I was looking for pictures of Colin as a baby in his swim trunks, I also came across him wearing these pj's. "Might Sleepy." 

Hope you were able to beat the heat. I made the mistake of running today in the afternoon. I typically run in the morning or when it's cooler in the early evening. Anyway, 90 is too hot for me. 

Here is a video of the boys playing in the water. 

Thanks for visiting us. Have a great weekend.
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi 

Once Bitten . . . May 18th, 2012

Actually, more than once. Our little guys have starting a biting war. If one decides he doesn't want to move out of the way, he gets bitten. If someone is in the tunnel having fun, they may just bite the next passer by, mommy and daddy included. If you have Thomas and I want Thomas, bitten. Took the shovel I was considering holding, thats right, I'll bite ya! The list goes on and on.

When I went to get Colin from school on Wednesday I saw the latest, neon warning flyer. Lice. You heard me right. Lice. Turns out they put all the kids sheets and blankies in one pile after nap time, not something they usually do. Usually, they put them all in the kids backpacks or cubbies. Tuesday they slipped up and put them all together. Then Wednesday before naps they saw them, them being lice. So gross. Anyway, they had to wash all the cots and the kids things were bagged up. So I'm thinking Colin was probably not completely exposed. We took all of his things home to be washed in hot water. As a precaution I washed his hair with lice shampoo. He had to sit with it on his head for 10 mins, so we let him watch Tom and Jerry while he waited. We washed Jasper with an interesting lice repellent shampoo. Who knew they even made the stuff, but I'm all for it. Colin was a pretty good sport considering I stripped him down the minute we got home and only let him sit on sheets until his bath.

Funny side note, although Colin naps for over 2 hrs a day when he is home, he rarely naps at school anymore. So Wednesday the kids had to sleep on thin mats, right on the hard floor. Guess who was the only one who would nap. That right, our little buddy. What a funny guy. 

Continuing on, "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader." I just read that and thought it was appropriate. Colin loves to read. He looks at books and talks about them, and he loves when I read to him. I seriously think I could read for hours on end and he would just sit and listen. I think he got his love for reading from my mom. She probably reads 4 to 5 books a week. I used to read a lot too and sometimes I still do, but since having kids I don't read the way I once did. It will come back I'm sure, but for now I fine with reading to the boys. They enjoy it immensely.

He asks questions constantly and repeats everything we say, even if it's days later. I truly think he just sits and soaks it up. My mom is fun to listen too. I loved when she read to us as kids, because she really gets into it.

He walked over with this book, it's huge so that was quite a feat. When we read the boys always want to sit on our lap. Jasper hands you a book and then gets comfy. The other day I was reading to both boys and Jasper wanted Colin's seat, so he climbed up and sat behind him. If you tell that story to my mom, she will say I used to do the same thing to Heidi. I actually remember doing it. 

Someone has a new favorite cuddly.

Erica and I think its funny how he holds it like a baby. I want to see him holding a real bunny or puppy. I think it would be so stinkin' cute.

He carried it in to school today when we went to pick up Colin. If loving bunnies is wrong, he doesn't want to be right.

In other news, drinking milk is now acceptable. After we took Jasper's bottles away it was hard to get him to drink milk. Then Colin decided he would rather have juice. Then I decided I was the boss and only served milk at lunch and dinner. So guess who now loves milk? Two servings each.

And yesterday during dinner I didn't even give Colin a taco. I figured he wouldn't eat it anyway, but I was wrong. He ate half of the one Ryan made and he really fills his up, so it was huge. Colin is starting to try new foods again and for that, I'm grateful.

We had a nice week and my cold is starting to subside. It's still lingering, but much better. Colin is talking more and more every day and Jasper is also trying new words. Great progress and we are very thankful for it. We're looking forward to a weekend avoiding the loop. Nato is making the loop nutty and we don't like nutty. So we'll be sticking around Casa McGloin.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi 

Mother's Day - May 14th, 2012

I just got this update from Baby Center. 

Does your toddler sometimes hurt other children? It's not surprising – making another child yell or scream seems like great fun at this age. The good news is that your toddler doesn't mean to inflict pain on his playmates. When he pulls another child's hair, he's either fascinated by the reaction it provokes or copying someone else's behavior. The best response is to gently but firmly stop the hurtful behavior and redirect your child’s attention. 

Ryan and I just read this and laughed. Not because poor Colin is subjected to Jasper's biting, hair pulling and pushing, but because at least it's normal. Actually, yesterday Jasper had teeth marks on his arm, so I think Colin has started fighting back. Anyway, our kid is normal. Yahoo.

Years from now I'll look back at this image and smile. I'll smile because Colin isn't wearing pants, typical. And Jasper is standing in that stance that I love, one foot up, with his tongue out. Just an average snapshot from our current days.

Note the skinny legs in the upper left. And just look at my first baby's beautiful eyes.

When I got up from sleeping in yesterday, I made everyone a nice big late breakfast. Jasper loved the asparagus. He ate it and then pulled it back out, over and over. It was like the magic trick where the magician keeps pulling scarves out of his mouth. So I cut it up and he ignored it. Then he slurped up the watermelon and demanded, "Mo, Mo, Mo!" Very Billy Idol of him. After that he ate his heart shaped sandwich and ignored his eggs. Then Colin, who is starting to eat for us again, requested more eggs. I gave him Jasper's and half of mine. On Mother's Day I'm not required to get up and cook more.

After cutting the lawn, Ryan got out the hammock we bought 4 years ago on our honeymoon to Costa Rica. Seriously, one of the best gifts ever. I'd love one more so we can all lay in it.

Jasper took one look and ran for the door. I could hear him running down the catwalk. So we went back out and I slowly put him back in. He loved it. 

Ryan looks quite handsome. And my, what a big smile Colin has.

See, we got him in. Then Colin started to scale the side of the hammock, so he got kicked off the island.

Now this has got to be one of my favorite pictures ever.

And now, he loves it. Colin also made a cameo.

Yay, my turn for hugs. 

Dad, please get us out of here. We didn't agree to this many smiling pictures. Photoshoot over.

Then they sat on my lungs and since it turns out I have bronchitis, that was painfully. I'm pretty sure I blacked out, but my memory is still fuzzy. Anyway, I finally went to my dr and he said I have a virus, probably bronchitis and if it doesn't go away in 6 weeks check back in. Um, 6 weeks, no stinkin' way!

Then this little dish showed up and we celebrated Mom's with some mimosas and other goodies. Hope you all had a great day. Mine was restful and I spent it with the people I love.

Have a great day. I'm off to take my new inhaler. I hope this stupid virus leaves our house soon. I'm sick of being sick.
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi 

Build a House - May 12th, 2012

The other day the Colin, my climber, tried to climb onto on of the tables in the playroom. I told him know but he insisted on getting the red. I had no idea what he was talking about. Turned out he wanted our ancient lint brush. So I took it down and ran the smooth and rough side on his foot and Jasper's. We're trying to teach Colin about textures. It was actually the perfect thing to teach those textures with. They loved it. 

Then Colin took it and marched off holding it over Jasper's head. So Jasper did what any good younger brother would do, he tried to pull him down, pull his hair and bite him. It's the only rational response, right.

Colin doesn't ever fight back. Erica and I both noticed this. He used to push Jasper and knock him down, but now he's much more reasonable. He does say, "No Jasper," but Jasper ignores that. So, he got bored with it and Jasper got it anyway.

He tried to eat it, then realized his older brother was right, it was kind of boring.

New fun game, filling the pack no play with toys and getting in. Colin calls it house.

Jasper decided he'd rather walk around in his shoes than get in the house. He loves wearing shoes and brings them to us all the time and says, "help."

House is great. Sometimes, it has a blanket for a roof.

Jasper got in and immediately wanted out.

He's really into his chunky "krucks," these days.

And of course it was time for peek a boo barn. So much fun. Colin pushed the screen while Jasper pretended to clip his toe nails. He loves doing that. What can I say, my kids love grooming.

I love how Colin has his head in his hand here. So cute.

Today Colin told me several times he had to poop. He hasn't gone in his diaper in months, but he has pee'd. He is telling us more often and we put him on the potty right after he eats or drinks. Sometimes he has a dry diaper. I tried to get Jasper involved, but he thinks diapers were put on this planet for a reason.

Tonight we went to Chipotle for dinner. We went to one near our house that has low tables, so kids can eat along with everyone else. The boys love rice and beans. They always just dig in when we go there. So we had a good dinner and came home to play and take baths. Colin told me one other time he had poop, then we went upstairs for bath time.

I put him on the potty before getting in the tub, otherwise poor Jasper gets sprayed and we have to refill the tub. He went right away and I took him off to put him in the tub. Ryan looked up quickly and we both started to laugh hysterically. Colin had let a tiny poop slip out as I was putting him in the tub. It landed on his blanket. Great save. He looked up at me quickly as if he was as shocked as me. Actually, I think he was. I took him off the potty so fast he didn't have time to tell me he was still going. My bad, but good save on the towels part. All towels involved have been bleached and washed in hot water. 

Have a great Mother's Day. I'm off to water the 3 new plants I have acquired. Thanks boys, I love my gifts.
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi 

Spelling Bee - May 8th, 2012

We got great news from Colin's speech therapist today. She said he's been doing so well they want to move him up a level. He's talking more spontaneously, but now she wants him to be more descriptive. She wants him to talk about other things that don't pertain to him. He actually does at home, but she probably hasn't heard as much of it. So she'll work on things such as, "Look at that black bridge over there." He already does say, "Going over a bridge." So we're part way there.

What I've noticed is he understands I'm sorry and uses it often. It's pretty cute. A few days ago he was in the other room coloring and using glitter glue and kept saying sorry. When I got in the room he showed me how he had squeezed too hard and said, "I'm sorry." I mean he really wanted me to know he was sorry. So I told him it was an accident and he didn't do it on purpose, but thank your for the apology. He as quite please with himself.

He also is describing location better and picks up on it via directions. To get the point across I'll send him across the room to get something "under" the table and then get a second completely different thing from up on the shelf. We've been doing this for awhile, but now he's using it in his vocabulary. I've noticed when he plays he uses location words more. Or he'll stack things and use location words. Or, and I swear no more or's, when he reads by himself he'll say this train is on the bridge and this train is under the bridge.

At dinner he told me, "I want more juice please." So I told him to drink half of his milk and he could have some. He drank for a bit then put his finger on the cup and pulled two fingers away to indicate he had drank "this much." At first I didn't get what he was saying, then I realized he was pointing to where the milk had been and where it now was and showing me with two fingers how much he had consumed. Yowzers, this kid is really blooming! That seems like a big concept for a little guy who just started to speak more freely.

He also exhibits,  and has since forever, a love for letters. Today he spelled his name and Jasper's for Ryan. Then on the potty before going to bed he spelled out B-A-R-R-O-N-S... I was slightly shocked. Ryan called from the other room to ask if I was helping him. No, I was not. Yep, just spelled the words right on the newspaper. Then he looked at Ryan's shirt and spelled Boston. Color me impressed! I notice it works better for large letters that are spaced out, but um, it's still super cool.

And this guy right here, told me "illa" when I asked if he wanted vanilla or chocolate ice cream tonight at dinner. I'm pretty sure we all know he said "vanilla." Actually, he repeats sounds like this all the time. I know it's part of learning to speak, but by gumption, I think it's outstanding! You're right Jasper, you are Super!

Have a great week. Ours is super, duper busy, but what's new. I know, I know, we're all busy.
Mia, Ryan, Colin and Jasper 

Jellyfish - May 6th, 2012

Oh what fun! Yesterday we went to see Grandma Rain, Auntie Lorri and cousin Cameron. Colin was so excited to see his cousin and other family, he could barely wait. We went to Lorri's for her boyfriend Steve's graduation. It was a lot of fun and lots of good treats. Colin had two pieces of cake and got to run around with  some other little boys. Jasper walked around with the big kids staring up the entire time. He couldn't believe how many tall people there were in one room.

Everyone thought the boys were so cute. Steve's mom Clara was very sweet. She raved about the boys and said Jasper could be made into a little doll that walks around smiling. I like that idea. 

Today the boys played trucks. We set up our own Radiator Springs. Jasper wasn't that into it, but Colin and I were. We also colored and Colin got to break out his water colors. It was fun to watch him. He loves all mediums of art, but painting is his forte. Jasper mostly ate his crayons with the occasional scribble. 

Afterward I made them apple slices and peanut butter and jelly. I cut them out with a heart shaped cookie cutter. Colin and Jasper thought that was the coolest. I also put Colin's milk in a heart printed cup. He loved that. The ate like champs and I started to clean them up. Just before I finished the clean up, Colin as for a jellyfish. So I repeated it and he said yeah. Ryan realized he was saying jellyfish, instead of jelly sandwich. So we told him how to say it and he said, "Pbutterjellysanwich." It is a mouthful. I'm partial to jellyfish.

Jasper is talking more and more and repeating more and more. I like when he says, "I tuck" (I stuck.) 

While the boys are napping I'm planning our next activity. It's yucky out, so I think we'll make brownies and then watch a movie.

Hope the rest of your day is great.
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi ( I mean Panty, because rain makes her panty and miserable. Poor kid) 

Friday Already? - May 4th, 2012

Today I'm working from home. Occasionally I hear Jasper downstairs laughing and having fun. It makes me want to go see him and yes, I do sneak down from time to time. But by gumption, today I want to get my work done and by golly I'm gonna do it.

Then I got these from Erica. She took them while she was reading to Jasper. He was getting comfy as you can see. So yes, I gave in and went to see him. We shared a delightful lunch of red beans and rice. Then someone started tossing beans and rice down to Pippi and lunch ended.

We've been telling Jasper "No," quiet and firmly. He has stopped laughing at us and looks more shocked than anything. His look says, "No mommy, I'm funny. Colin is the naughty one." He can be naughty, it's true, but slowly they are switching roles. Colin is throwing fewer tantrums, but Jasper seems to slowly be having more. Are the terrible twos upon us already?

Sweet! It's the garbage truck! You have to admit, they are pretty cool.

Man, he's not a baby anymore. Not a sign of baby on him. Although, he does still have chunky wrists. Lately Colin is so inquisitive. I love all the questions he asks. He so interested in everything.

Jasper is interested in stealing anything his brother is playing with. Typical.

He super, duper loves this truck.

Ryan and I had a really nice dinner last night. It was nice to get out and get a little dressed up. We both love seafood, so we headed out for that. Yay, soft shell crabs are already out. They were simply divine!

Hope you have a nice weekend. We have another busy one ahead of us. Can't wait to see our family. Colin is going to be so excited when he finds out he gets to see Cameron.

Stay safe and have a fun one.
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi 

4th Wedding Anniversary - May 3rd, 2012

Four years ago today Ryan and I were married. Our wedding was everything we wanted it to be, minus the part about our church being under construction and having to walk trough scaffolding and caution tape. Othewise, it was a great day. 

We now have two funny little boys who keep us on our toes and fill our lives with more love than I could have ever imagined. Here's to many, many more.

Happy Anniversary Ryan. Love, Mia