Working Backwards

My blogging frequency has dramatically tapered off ... I sit here tonight realizing how many Dylan milestones and Kaitlyn songs have yet to be documented, I figured I would work backwards and see how much I can capture relying upon this pre-alzheimer mind of mine!

Dylan brings me joy that infuses my whole body. It's something about his smile and the way he meets my eyes that triggers this youthful spirit within me. He is so mellow and while he can appear to be a day dreamer at times, the eyes, once locked with mine, ignites his sparkle (among other things...generally dimples, ears raise and his arms extend with a little bounce). I just want to animate him so I can constantly get that refreshed joy. He's going to be a wonderful little brother to his passionate sister! And, might I add, a wonderful son that will keep his mother grounded!

Some exciting reports on this little BIG boy:

He wears size 12 months in tops, and size 9 months in bottoms and he's only 5 months old!

He has a deep voice and hearty laugh-both known to project across the room when Kaitlyn is conversing with him.

He pretty much gags on cereal at this point in the game and is jazzed that he's moving into the world of sippy cups.

He is still nursing...yesterday, today and I know tomorrow. This kid has NO interest in the bottle, believe me, we are trying daily, multiple times.

He loves peas. In fact, I don't think he can get enough of them. We offered him some this evening and it was as if he had never eaten all weekend, the poor boy lunged forward with every bite not too mention his hands were attacking the bowl.

As of this morning, Dylan has his first tooth!

Now, his sister, on the other hand, had her first dental appointment a few weeks back and I'm proud to report she did a swell job holding any tears for the very end of the appointment despite the many "Mommy!' calls she gave out in search of reassurance that I was present!

She has a slight accent with the words 'Four' and 'More'...I suppose it mimics what I used to do with the word 'Dirt' (what they tell me, anyway).

Row Row Row Your Boat, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, This Old Man, ABCs...her favorite songs to sing (and she really sings them)!

She counts everything, often leaves out the number 5, likes to save it for something really special like when she walks up or down the 16 stairs we have.

Ice cream couldn't make her happier.

Make him laugh...

Kaitlyn loves Dylan and Dylan loves her right back. It's been a joy to witness Kaitlyn's recent tenderness toward her brother. Now that she is border-line motor mouth, I hear her saying sweet terms of endearment...

'Brother, I love you.'

'Brother, eets ok'

'Don't worry baby' (when he's crying)

It's just priceless and of course most of her sweetness is coupled with a kiss or two!

Jellies & Jewels

Girls. Girls. Oh my. They are fun to shop for, dress up and adore!

Worst Cook in America

BEFORE

WHAT WILL IT BE?

PORK LOIN..UGGG NO!!!! THIS CAN'T BE TRUE!

AFTER

Rutland Court will never be the same. Now living admist the fire fighter, the medical sales guy, the truck hauler, the fitness equipment owner, the Rancho Cucamonga housewives and more, lies an Iron Chef...me! Ha! That's right folks, somehow I was awarded the title of Iron Chef at our first Iron Chef competition this past Monday night.

It was an evening of flavor as Steve and I competed against each other to create three dishes: an appetizer, an entree and a dessert using a secret ingredient (revealed 15 minutes prior to our chop chop chopping)! We agreed upon five potential secret ingredients, went shopping for all five-and then some (evidenced by the mounds of food in the background of the photos). When Pork Loin was selected I wanted to faint. Disbelief was planted upon my face as I secretly refused to accept that pork would ever make it to the competition. So wrong. I faced my doom and panic set in.

I say I won because logistics were in my favor. Steve says I won as I always make incredible salads (without boring anyone with details...we both never completed all three of our meals within the two hour time frame thus my appetizer was competing against his entree-the fully plated dishes when the clock struck). Between my over peppery/pungent arugula and the under-roasted beets, tough and hidden pork loin salad and Steve's grossly overuse of garlic in his cauliflower puree, we both could have been labeled the Worst Cooks in America.

Despite the random ingredients that now line my pantry, ranging from a costco sized bag of pine nuts to a dozen avocados to a chunk of lard-our future meals will be composed out of desperation to make a dent in our overstocked shelves. We purchased all the ingredients that had potential of being used...I think I have three cartons of whipping cream in my fridge, six filet mignon's and three tubs of fresh raspberries hanging out along with 25 uncooked beets...that should paint a clear picture!

As I embrace this new week I'm strongly considering menu planning to beef up on my Iron Chef skills as the competitions will continue. We have already discussed the possibility of doing another one in June!

By the way, I had Dylan on my back the entire time. Maybe that added to my kitchen merit? No, I think the judges were overly kind...and really darn hungry.

Swinging Child

Mom was visiting and while Kaitlyn and I were prancing through the grass she placed Dylan in the swing. How could I let this moment slip by without documentation! He's such a grown boy. At 4 months he is wearing size 6-9 months in pants and up to a size 12 month in shirts!

I can't believe the joy that my children possess. Dylan is most certainly his own character, however, I have begun to notice new sounds and expressions from the guy. He is often squawking these days instead of cooing. His verbal capacity is being showcased and often in competition with Kaitlyn's. Between Kaitlyn's excessively high-pitched screams and Dylan's bird-like sounds, you can't talk over them expecting to be heard. They are downright loud.

When he catches my eyes his legs begin to kick, his eyes twinkle and his dimples go CRAZY! Otherwise, when he can't see or hear me, he pretty much gnaws on toys and chills (assuming he is hanging out in the same room as myself and not in anyone else's arms). I've also noticed his physique changing. Breast milk is at it again...his thighs are forming those Pillsbury Dough Boy rolls and his arms are thickening up. Any day I anticipate him rolling over as well as sitting up on his own. He is a momma's boy right now and while it can be exhausting at times, there will come a day when he won't want anything to do with me.

I have a feeling that he won't be too different from Kaitlyn when it comes to how jolly he can become. While Kaitlyn has been expressive every given minute of any given day, Dylan is expressive for at least 70% of his awake hours or 100% of the time when he's in my arms!

Nana's Birthday at Harold's and Belle in LA

The cousins pre-cat fight! They are just darling together. Hugs and kisses, then holding hands. It's real love and like all real love, the fighting began about an hour into their hanging out!

Natalia sporting some haunting eyes...Kaitlyn had just risen from her slumber.

Alexis and sweet Natalia.

Yeah, S@$t, I mean Spit Happens.

He just woke up from a long slumber...

Dylan chillin with Uncle Stan...a rare moment as he

NEVER seems to like chillin with Daddy!

Yummy. Two days in a row, blown diet.

Sweet potato pie, I think it was worth it!

Nana in all her birthday glory!

Hanging with both grandkids...They just love their Nana!

Cousin Todd, Uncle Stan and hunk of a boy, Dylan. (Dylan began the lip quiver shortly after followed by an outburst of tears..mommy to the rescue!)

Two Faces, Two Hearts, Two of a Kind

It's better to paint with two paintbrushes. You can cover more area!

'I love to play with my brother. Sometimes I just like to see if I can make him laugh.'

Chillin Dylan in his Pack n Play-sporting a terrific tie onesie. What a man.

'What is my sister doing?' (she is in the Pack n Play with Dylan causing all sorts of ruckus)!

These two children couldn't be more uplifting and down right demanding all within one minute. Dylan has become excessively attached to me, so much so, that my dear husband seems to slumber solo during the second half of any given night as of late. Once Dylan wakes up for a nursing session in the middle of the night, that's it. The love affair with mom begins. Every hour to every two hours he seems to waken and unfortunately for me, he finds me right where he last saw me-slumped in the rocker, fast asleep, from the previous nursing session. The cycle continues through to daybreak. The dreams I've been having during these erratic sleepless nights would sure make someone think I'm on acid. Let's just say, Avatar meets Abby's Flying Fairy School and together they meet my family (both my side and Steve's) on a remote island with a metropolitan center. Yeah, it's out there!

My dreams of having a creative space for the children continue to be a dream. However, I do carve out a space here and there to allow for some exploration of the arts. While it's by no means the full craft zone I envision, what little I have done brings great satisfaction. Kaitlyn gets all into painting, from picking out the colors to obviously holding the brushes. She can't hold just one and I don't blame her. It's so much more fun to use both hands!

There is a developing interest between Kaitlyn and Dylan or is it between Dylan and Kaitlyn? Either way, it's shared. I find her sneaking up on him, laying down next to him, holding onto him, just loving him. It's precious, at least the first few minutes of it as then her curiosity gets ahold of her and watch out Dylan. Eyes get tampered with, fingers are shoved into his mouth and the poor guy just starts sucking. He doesn't know any better. Her hands push onto his chest as she'll try to stand up and then oh no...she'll stand on his leg or stumble and fall on top of him. Yeah, it's a full time job watching the two of them interact.

I try to not discipline too much as most of her prodding is harmless and who wants a mom always barking some type of direction. It's endearing to watch and while it can raise the heart rate a few times, it's by no means a war zone. Dylan just chills, laughing when he feels like it. As of late I have spotted him grabbing her shirt when he wants to sport some attention...she can get annoyed. She will try to pull his fist off of her clothing, but isn't too successful. His grasp could put him on the charts for an NFL draft! It's pretty funny to watch-ususally I have to intervene!