Third time's a Charm?

You'd think a family couldn't get strep throat three times in only 8 months! Cleveland has it in for us I guess. I don't know if it because I am working in the nursery, but I have ended up starting it the last two times! I thought I had kept it to myself, low and behold, 6 days later Connor came down with it, then Dylan had a throw up party yesterday. I had them swab Ashlyn at the same time for good luck. Ironically, I was very grateful to hear that she did have it! Now we can relax and all be on the pink goo all at once (well- my doses ended this morning, so cross your fingers.) I mean, it can't get any better than trying to take care of a family on your death bed, then ending up nursing an extra "kid" to health. Thankfully infants RARELY get it. However, with Ashlyn all over him, who knows.

Do you think we are out of the clear for a little while?

The New Me

I went running again today, but Dylan insisted that he had to go. I haven't run with him since the fall, and boy has he gotten heavy. But it is good for me. It is nice to have a cheering section in the stroller (I make him tell me that I can do it), but I hate having to give up my iPod to the strollee (is that a word?) When we were going up the hills (a plethora of them too) he asked me why we were going so slow- how would that make you feel? I would like to announce that I have turned over a new leaf- I am now an early riser runner!!! (I hate to wake up early and love to stay up late, so this is a BIG deal.)

So raise your hand if you are sick of hearing about running and think Michal should just create a whole blog exclusively for her running stories so you don't have to hear all about it.

My Cute Dude

I took Dylan to see Go Diego Go Live a few weeks ago. I can't believe how much I enjoyed it! I might have been more excited than he was when we first got there. He loves to hear stories about Dylan helping Diego rescue animals. He even loves to wear his new "Official animal Rescuer Patch" and now had an "animal science book." If you know Diego you might just laugh.

Here is a picture of Dylan in the fall. I wrote a post then about hif first black eye (he got while running way too fast, of course.) I finally found the picture to go with that really old post. Here he is the next morning. He couldn't open his eye and he was pretty upset about it!

He is growing up too fast!

Potty Trained?

I have dreaded training Ashlyn, not because Dylan was so hard, but because he was so easy. I tried to train him at 18 mo. when I was ready. And you can imagine what a flop that was!! Then a few months before he turned 3 he kept telling me each time he was peeing in his diaper. I couldn't let the chance pass (no pun intended) and he practically potty trained himself in three days. I know many of you are green with envy. But I have put my time in with Dylan in other ways!


I thought my potty training luck must have run out on Dylan and I was dead set on the fact that Ashlyn would be a night mare. She also has had a bad record of letting it go on the carpet and wanting to go potty when she doesn't need to. However, Thursday she practically went poo on her own and I was also running out of diapers. Now is as good as any, I thought. So we have stepped into the world of underwear (well actually I got her underwear 6 months ago when she first was interested in the potty.) But this time I think it has stuck. The only accidents she really has had was largely my own- I often forget I am potty training her. It is helpful for her pants to be off so I remember what she is wearing underneath! So here were are four days later and she will take herself to the potty- well at least a few times! I trained Dylan at my mom's house all on my own. So I told Connor it was his turn. Don't you think that is fair? So much for that.

So to sum it all up, either I am an AMAZING potty trainer (hidden talent) or we must have a good potty gene in our family. Either way, I don't think the are worth gloating about. I hope this all doesn't come back to bite me because it is premature.

I would have to say she sure does look cute in underwear- still chunky with baby fat and all!! Talk about wanting to squeeze some checks! Now I have two kids that I want to do that to!!!

Solo Mission

I know some of you might think we are crazy, and there was a moment when I thought we were, but here is a video of Dylan's second day without training wheels!!!

I don't know if the day will ever come when Dylan will disappoint us rather than completely surprise us with his physical abilities. The limits seems to be endless. Now that we have a second child, it is more amazing to think that Dylan was batting pitched balls and throwing spiral footballs at Ashlyn's age! I wish I had been more proactive about signing him a contract with a sponsor or team for the future!!! Do you think they would do that??

I was a little worried at first. Dylan has a habit of being very impatient when it comes to learning new things. He is so good at just about everything that when he can't get it, he gets upset. I knew biking would take practice, and surprisingly, he was very patient. He even begged to go out and "practice." Another great thing is that Connor is getting a great work out too.

Rain or Shine

You guessed it... RAIN.

It is raining and supposed to rain for the next week. So I decided there was no better time to go running than right now- the time was good (baby fed, Connor home, dinner made.) I am sure you are all sick of my running stories, but I have fallen in LOVE!!!! At least I will spare you the details such as miles, time, pace, and heart rate.

We have a great parks system here in Cleveland and the North Chagrin Reservation is just minutes from our house. It has a large pond, all kinds of wildlife, nature center, hiking trails that cover the reservation, and a paved trail.

This evening I went out for a run, it was raining but because of the foliage, I didn't get as soaked as I would have running on the sidewalk. I took advantage of the hiking trail since I didn't have to push the kids. I was in HEAVEN!!! I even saw a deer! Though my lack of knowledge of the area combined with the abundance of trails I literally almost "LOST" myself back to my car before my time was up! I felt like I was running in the Rocky Mountains, minus the terrain of course, it was just beautiful. It is so beautiful I don't have to run with my iPod to keep me entertained!!

So I need to add to my list of "Things I love about my Jogger":

9. When I pass someone, I feel AMAZING!!!

10. Somehow I get more side aches without my jogger.

Here is a picture of Corbin's first Run. As you can see, he didn't think it was as great as I thought it was. I mean doesn't this jogger create bonding moments for my children???

Oh and Just for laughs...

This Is Kirtland- Here we come!

What a day! We spent more than half of it at the church, but we better start getting used to that because...

Connor has just been casted as the Joseph Smith in "This is Kirtland"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cami has been telling him for the last year that he has to try out for the play so that he can be Joseph (her husband, Nate, has been Joseph for the last two years.) I think Nate was ready to ditch the wig and let someone with light hair play the part! So Cami was right, and we will spend the next three months at the church. I am sad I don't get to play opposite his part, but I am relieved to not be expected to play Emma (Soprano part - Connor can LITERALLY sing higher than me!!!) I have been casted as Julia Murdock. It will be great, except I have to be PREGO AGAIN! The last thing I want to be right now!

We also had a ward graduation party for all the graduating dental students. Connor and his band got to play, and boy did they love to finally be rock stars!!

So to sum it all up, Connor is "THE MAN." He was a grub (didn't have time to shower) and he still swept the part and rocked the house! Funny how one man can be the cool drummer and Joseph Smith all rapped into one.

The play will be the first three weekends in July. We will house anyone willing to come and see it!! Once-in-a life time opportunity!