Skunk!!!!!

Well, we finally caught the animal that has been stinking up our house! The skunk has been living underneath our sunroom for a good portion of the summer and when he sprays - YUK - it really stinks. So we are thankful that we caught him. He was not hurt at all. Critter Control came out and got him for us. It is my understanding that they relocate the skunk away from our house. For all of those animal lovers out there - no skunk was hurt in the catching of said skunk.

He was a pretty big skunk!

I thought he might actually try to figure out how to open that cage!

Sophia was very interested in the animal. She kept saying "catch animal".

The Critter Control man was able to get the skunk without being sprayed.

4 Month Check-Up

James had his 4 month check-up this past Monday. He pasted with flying colors. He is 16 pounds (50%ile), 26 1/4 in long (95%ile), and his head is 17 inches. I believe he is going to be built like Jim. James also got 4 vaccines. Since then he has had a fever of 100.9 and has been tired and fussy. Poor little buster!

Colts

Jim and I went to the Colts game on Sunday for Jim's birthday (his birthday is in Oct. so it was an early birthday present). We had a great time. Our tickets were AMAZING! We were on the 50 yard line on the second level, fourth row in the club seats. We could see everything! The new stadium is so nice. It's too bad that we lost the game but it was close! We were entertained at least. Something exciting that happened was that I saw Billy Bob Thornton! It had to be him because it looked like him, he had the same smile, and when he talked, it sounded just like him! I couldn't believe it. There were only about 10 people in the concession area of the club section so I don't think anyone else knew he was there, unless they were like me and didn't want to be one of those people who bugs them. Beck watched the kids for us so we had a nice relaxing time out. Thanks Beck!

Once Upon A Potty

For those of you who don't remember, Sophia is potty training. She was doing great but then went through a "NO" stage. Now she is back to wanting to sit on the potty but she wants to do it in the kitchen. Apparently the bathroom in the hall was too far away for her. She does sit on it for long periods of time and the downstairs bathroom is pretty dark and small. So, I let her bring it into the kitchen area. At first it turned out great because when I saw her get 'the look' on her face that she was going to poop, I could quickly get her on the potty. We were having lots of success. Well, then we got the movie "Once Upon a Potty". It is very cute but now Sophia wants to watch it while she sits on the potty. As a result, I know the movie and "The Potty Song" by heart. I even caught myself singing it at the grocery store! I thought it was wonderful at first because she was then motivated to sit on the potty. We don't get "NO" anymore when we mention the potty so we were thrilled. However, it has resulted in a lot of movie watching for Sophia, which I do not like. We have also invested in another potty movie with a girl names Hannah. I forget the name of the movie but it too has a potty song. It is also very cute but, good grief, I am tired of them.

On other notes, Jim is telling me that Sophia just identified all of her colors, including brown and she can identify circles and ovals. She can name ovals. She has mastered a 15 piece shape sorter and tonight was just putting together a puzzle that involved putting two pieces together to make the picture, as opposed to just putting one piece in the slot. I realize to some of you out there that this may sound like bragging but I really just proud of her and want to share her accomplishments. I am her MOM after all, isn't that what mom's are supposed to do? Anyway, James is rolling over now and today I found him in his crib, laying on his belly and face, with his left arm and leg stuck through the bars of the crib. He was NOT happy about this. I don't really like that he is doing this because he is not rolling from his belly to back very well. He does do back to belly well though. Monday we have his 4 month appointment. I can't wait to see how much he has grown!!

Taste Tip

Here is a tasty tip - try Country Crocks Cinnamon Butter. Yum-O!! I bought it to go with our pork chop dinner the other night and we all loved it. This morning we tried it on pancakes - Mmmmmm. Try it - I think you'll like it. Warning - it is possible that this item will make you fat!!

Catching Up

It is time to catch everyone up on what has been going on. I forget what I have already blogged on so if I repeat anything I am sorry. Just bear with me. First off, Jim got home from his hiking trip on Saturday and he had a great time. They saw lots of bears and some were in their campsite (scary!). I have yet to see the pictures but all the men made it home safely. While he was gone, the kids and I had a great time. We stayed super busy. The first part of the week we were at Mom and Dad and I did some painting (which I LOVED). When we came home we had the maids here, errands to run, the Schwan man to treat us, my speech therapy child graduated, my sitter cancelled, breakfast with Suz and Maria, a visit to the Honda dealer, pictures to pick up, and a garage sale. Speaking of the garage sale, I thought it was a lot of fun. Beck did it with me and Lisa came over to help. All of us went shopping around the neighborhood too. Beck ended up buying a crib and Adam got a bike. Matthew got some toys (which Adam wanted to trade is bike in for - funny boy). Sophia got some My Little Ponies, a CareBear doll, some small toys from Beck, and lots of books I bought to kids a ladybug tent. There is a picture of it below. Len and Suz brought over a picnic table and more books for the kids too. Sophia LOVES the picnic table. She has colored on it everyday so far.



Sophia was sick this week. Her fever got up to 103.3. We saw Suzanne several times over the weekend for various things so she said it was probably viral. She has seen a LOT of hand-foot-mouth but Sophia never developed the blisters that accompany this. Jim tested her for strep and the results were negative. I guess it was a run-of-the-mill virus. Anyway, after 3 days of illness, she seems to be back to normal. Today she was laughing and running around like normal and her appetite was back as well. James so far hasn't developed any symptoms so that is good. Now we are just trying to plan out the rest of the week. With the illness, we missed Sophia and James' Gymboree class so on Thursday I think we will make up Sophia's class. We will make up James' class on Saturday. Sophia and I are supposed to ride in the Tour de Carmel on Saturday but I can't find a babysitter for James. Anyone want to watch James for me????

James and Daddy after Jim got home from the airport. Everyone was happy to see him.

Sophia and Mommy

Sophia is still doing well with potty training. At first she was doing awesome but then we hit the "NO" stage so we took it easy and didn't pressure her. Now she is back to wanting to sit on the potty again. I think it is because we wash hands afterwards and she thinks it is fun to make bubbles on her hands with the soap. Hey, whatever works right?!

New Pics of James and Sophia

We went to Celebrity Kids and got the kids' pictures taken. Here is James at 3 months and Sophia at 18 Months. I just love the work they do in the studio.

Here is my little Jamesie. He is so happy and smiley all the time. He is also a 'ladies man'. I have noticed he loves being cuddled by women. I think he would have been very happy if I would have just left him at Mom and Dad's this week because Grandma loved holding him.

I love this photo of Sophia. Not very often will she smile into the camera when you tell her to but she sure will act it up in front of the lense.

Here is the photo of the two of them that we choice. Sophia just laid down beside James. So cute.

Happy Little Man!

Sophia was having fun with this prop and they shot the picture while she was jumping out. Very cute. She gives me this look at home when she is up to making trouble!