At Months 6 and 7, Merritt Is a Slice of Heaven

Merritt has hit so many milestones so quickly.

At his 6 month evaluation, his stats came out as:

Weight: 17 pounds, 10 ounces (50%)

Length: 26 3/4 inches (50-75%)

Head Circumference: 17 inches (25-50%)

Merritt sprouted his first two teeth after several agonizing months of teething. The next ones are coming along, and we'll soon have some cute teeth to populate that smile.

He is crawling, rolling, scooting, and chasing after most things. He does sit, but I think he actually gets to a sitting position mostly to change directions . . . he'd just rather be moving right now. He loves sippy cups and cups of all shapes and sizes. When he sees a cup or a car on the floor, he gets the most determined look on his face and goes to town to try and get it before we can stop him.

He loves songs, has been caught bouncing to the music, and really enjoys books--tasting, turning, tearing, and reading.

I know you remember The Caterpillar. Remember, he was that long when he was born.

The first person he looks for when he wakes up is his brother. Everett and Merritt are quite a pair when playing with toys, fighting over space, or wrestling.

He has some great giggles and belly laughs. But he also has this Baby Chewbacca laugh. It is pretty funny to listen to and we are always on the prowl to make it come out.

He loves to smile at everyone, but he saves his biggest grins now for the people he knows. He has started squealing loudly when he sees his dad.

We know when he is upset or hungry because he squeals or babbles REALLY LOUD! He loves to eat. He cannot wait until he is eating what we are eating. He just watches us from plate to mouth in all our "nonbaby food" consumption.

He uses his feet as much as his hands when he plays and explores. Kind of makes you wonder where your own flexibility went.

When someone first meets Merritt, without exception, he always gets a comment on his blue eyes which his father is very quick to attribute to himself. Erik will even take off his glasses so that others can get a better look. (insert grin)

Overall, he is a pretty mellow kid. He has his rough days like we all do, but he is very happy and it doesn't take too much time hanging out with him before you see that.

In this picture, he refused to let me get a shot of his teeth. But, interestingly, you can see how his nose is kind of orange (you'll notice in some of the other pictures). That happens whenever he's had several days in a row of orange food. I am not lying. It goes right away when I stop giving him orange food for 2 days. What a crack up! (and, no, I am not giving him food with food coloring. He just has very fair skin, just like me.)

Merritt, Merritt, Everywhere

Merritt is moving, moving, moving. He is crawling, rolling, sitting, pulling up to his knees and sometimes his feet, and wiggling out of everything.

It is so exciting to watch him have such a great time. The hard part is naptime. You know how this goes . . . he pulls himself up and can't quite get back down to go to sleep. Poor guy.

He is such a gem!

Lesson Complete!

We've had several people ask about how the lesson went and I must say that it went MAGNIFICENTLY!

We [read Sheila] were getting a bit worried since this was the first lesson that we will have taught in a church setting relying solely on our own brains and experience. What can I say . . . not too much on job search techniques and spouse survival of unemployment in the doctrinal sense.

And it seemed to be just what many of them needed. We asked them to fill out a survey at the end evaluating the session and telling us what more they wanted to learn about. (we'll change congregations in a few weeks because we are moving, but maybe we can do one more thing).

One of the surprising results is that one of the most desired "checked" boxes was more information on how to become an effective job coach for someone else. For a congregation that is facing some pretty serious employment issues, it was so neat to see how many were interested in helping others.

In the next few days, we'll send out the handouts to those of you who have asked for them.

On a highly related note . . . I have the best family ever! Aunt Debbie, Uncle Apple, Gramma and Poppa ALL came to support us and provide help with the kids. (Merritt skipped all naps today . . . something about hitting milestones and teething.) We needed them to be on hand in case Everett was scared in nursery again.

Not only did they provide moral support and take care of Merritt, they helped with chairs, handouts, letting me use a fan, and telling us how wonderful we are at the end. So NICE! I love being near family. THANK YOU!

Just for our own reflections when we look back on this in five years:

• Erik and the apron hating the Kitchen skit, but not because of the apron
• Sheila tripping (yes, we put on quite a show)
• Erik: "We have two minutes left." [Wordlessly, we both look at our notes to see what more we need to say.] "I guess we'll spend it in silence."
• Sheila's "less than attractive" graphic of roles
• How Sheila ended up with the "bad" roles in all the scenarios
• "AND scene!"

Post-Move Predition

In 3 weeks: The most common phrase at our house will be,"OH, that is where it is."

We have lost/misplaced more items than we care to admit.

Chills and Thrills: Week 2 of Camping with AC

So, we made it our first week without furniture. And, dishes (only ran the dishwasher once).

It is REALLY hot here. Too hot to play outside. So, we've used up every little inch in this apartment. Not as bad as I thought it would be.

Erik had a real life David and Goliath situation at work. He handled it beautifully.

Merritt is pulling up on things. I love to see his little determined facial expressions.

We are hanging out staying quiet while entertaining our boys.

Our lesson is tomorrow.

Chills and Thrills: Our First Week of Camping with AC

So, we moved.

So, I just couldn't pull things together and get everything organized as much as I usually do when I move.

So, that means I lost the peanut butter and the camera cord. No, they aren't lost in the same box.

So, do I unpack all those boxes I said would stay packed until we moved into our house to find stuff? No, I'll just let the chaos unravel my sanity a bit each day and go and buy new peanut butter tomorrow.

If I could attach a picture, it would be of our "dinnerware"---paper and Styrofoam. We are doing our part in helping the environment by conserving water. I miss the toaster and the dining room table and chairs.

One Monday down. Three more Mondays until we move into our house.

Erik and I are busily planning and practising and revising our lesson for church on Sunday. The Bishop of our congregation arranged to have the youth cover the children's classes. We'll have all the adults in our congregation, or ward, together in one room to listen to us during the last hour of church. We are talking about jobs. How to get a job, how to further your career, and how to be a spouse of a job seeker. We feel "whelmed" with the responsibility and the need that the ward has related to employment right now.

Merritt and Evy are the cutest. I promise. Everett is expert at using the words "amazing," "not yet," and "probably" appropriately. Yes, probably. That one really caused me to pause in my own amazement. Pretty soon he'll be all grown and in college.

Today we went to another baseball game. Holy Moley, it is hot here in Texas. My sister and her husband were able to come. The heat is totally worth putting up with to get to have that chance.

Sidenote: I should have "aired up" the air mattress before Erik fell asleep.

Moving, Again

So, we are moving today. I'll be off awhile because there are always problems with reconnecting when you move.

I've seen the new apartment. It should be a fun ride. It is a short drive further into our current apartment complex.

Merritt is crawling around on the floor. Evy is begging to watch Cars; maybe it will keep him from unpacking what I pack. The current apartment is a wreck; here is hoping the chaos clears quickly, like hopefully this weekend.

Is it too early to start eating sugar?

(I was talking with Evy about what was on his shirt. We debated between an eagle or a chicken. Then, he paused, looked down at his shirt, looked back at me and said,"Flag!" Amazing how spongy the mind is.)

Chills and Thrills

We are trying to slow it down. After a trip away from the apartment, the mold has finally cleared. The tub has been repaired. Today the rotten drywall was replaced, another water issued was discovered in the other bathroom and fixed. Tomorrow we get PAINT! (Let's hear it for loving to have strangers crawl through my home every single day of this week!)

I've been packing our stuff for the move to our next apartment which we'll be in for a month. We move on Friday. I am trying to pretend that it will be like camping with AC. I am saying goodbye to our fancy cable shows . . . sniff, sniff, goodbye HGTV . . . bye-bye Handy Manny!

Our home inspection went well today. And I quote Mike the Inspector,"I'd give it an A+" . . . Bruce the Termite Dude didn't find much. So, we are off awaiting a couple more documents from the seller. Financing is done!

Merritt and Everett are a hoot. They love playing together. Evy is trying to find middle ground with taking toys away, sharing toys, and trying to find the best way to wrestle with Merritt. Merritt is one tough kid! He is basically on the edge of crawling . . . he is right there with all the pieces in line, just needs to develop some coordination.

Erik is valiantly holding it all together between work, housing, us, and his calling. We are teaching ALL the adults in our congregation in a couple of weeks (the youth will cover primary). We'll be talking about job hunting, being a spouse of someone looking for employment, and how to get ahead in the job you have. So much to fit in 40 minutes!

Now, I need to find a 2nd hand refrigerator and a new washer/dryer set. (In Texas, those appliances don't convey. And, no, I can't "add" the price of all of those to the house loan . . . it is different here in Texas when buying a home.) I figure that I'll start with a used fridge and save up for a new one later in the year. The "old" one can then occupy our GARAGE! GARAGE, people!

Gerber Daisy Birthday

My birthday week consisted of major storms, no electricity for over 24 hours, having to leave my apartment because of fixes to the tub . . . with the BEST parts being--

Trip to Waco to see my sister and her family

[and further avoid the apartment drama (thanks for housing us)]

Successfully taught lesson in RS (yes, I made them find partners and move around, we also used "sound" movements in the lesson activity)

Indian Food--Mumtaz

Lots and lots o' Gerber Daisies

Fruit tart

Evy singing a "Happy Birthday" solo

A long awaited trip to Crate and Barrel

And my boys

I couldn't have asked for more

Day to Remember or Not to Remember

Yesterday, we started out expecting Maintenance to come and finish up this irritant. No go. I guess we'll wait some more (the mold has been cleared out, but the tub still has a crack and the closet still has holes from where they cut out the rotted sheetrock).

On the way to sign the contract on the house, I was pulled over and given a written warning. Evidently, I was speeding. Oh, and I haven't switched to Texas plates, and I still carry my Virginia license. So sue me, I'm waiting until I have my permanent address. No, the kids weren't crying and distracting me. I was distracted with my own thoughts of, "Is the kitchen big enough . . . I think the yard will work . . . do I want to pay HOA dues AGAIN . . . ."

Multiple tantrums and hysterical crying at Target. No, it wasn't me this time. But it did remind me of our first week here when I spent my 30 minutes of "alone" time (Merritt was with me asleep in the basket) on the phone figuring out that it *was* the clutch that needed to be replaced in our car.

No ticket going home, thankfully.

Maintenance Guru, John, came by to check on the closet. We discover ANOTHER water issue. Big clue was the huge puddle of water that mysteriously appeared on the outside of said closet in the main hallway with the closet's carpet soaked AGAIN on the other side of the wall. The AC units in our building drain through an area in the same closet, and the drain was clogged. Water and smelly issues again.

On the phone for HOURS getting home inspection set up, getting cable, signing up for electricity, and trying to cancel Vonage. I detest these kinds of "errands" to do.

Evy was crankerpants. Has taken on a very contagious condition called, Toddler Bossitis. *I* am sure I am never that bossy.

Mercifully, I made it to the evening. We went out to eat to celebrate the house and my survival of the day. Merritt violently threw up on me in the restaurant. Three towels and 20 minutes later, I leave fully soaked from shirt to jeans. Remind me to make sure to dry my jeans this morning.

Finally got the boys to bed. I catch my favorite show Chopped. It reminds me of my struggle every afternoon to figure out how to use only what is in my pantry to make dinner. Sometimes the meal is great, sometimes it isn't, and sometimes we wisely go to get a chickenwrap from Sonic.

Only had to walk Everett back to his room until 10:30.

Mercifully, Merritt didn't wake up until 5:30--or was it 5:00?

Buying a House--Guarded with a Sprinkle of Apprehension

. . . is about how Erik felt upon getting an agreement with the buyers of the house that was first on our list this weekend. Negotiations are over.

I can't say that I blame him. After all of this, we will most likely have an executed/ratified contract by Wednesday morning. (Things just do move slower here; much to our irritation. What can I say? We are still on east coast timelines and time expectations.)

But, holy alleluia, we don't have to spend 100% of our time driving through neighborhoods, scouring the internet, analyzing satellite images, and frantically juggling two babies while looking in houses. YIIPPEEE! I feel a bit freer, because as Erik is feeling, nothing is done until all is signed . . . and I mean all signed in several weeks at closing.

Now, I need to go set up utilities for our next apartment, which we'll be in at least a month. I did suggest to Erik skipping those amenities because I have to go through it all again for our house (I hate repetition). He wisely vetoed my idea.

My Bro-In Law, the Renaissance Man

Okay, at least I know he can write, play drums and keyboard, produce music, clean up dinner ree-aal good, and charm my kids, oh, and my sister.

Arthur Petersen just released his first album "Big Rig." (Deborah, my sister, provided vocals on a couple of the songs.)

Go ahead and take a look! A great way to warm up to an early start of the weekend, support a starving artist! (The first link you can access his songs, completely, free of charge. AmazeRadio-BigRig) If you want to throw some encouragement his way, you can write a review of the song there, too.

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After years of toil my first CD is finally for sale!

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To listen before you buy, go here:http://www.amaze.fm/artist/existoid/

Once your brain has been dazzled, go here to buy them:Amazon-BigRig

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Soon they will be available on itunes and rhapsody as well. Tell your friends who aren't my friends, your co-workers, family, tell the world, the universe, everyone!

Conversations with Evy

Merritt was fussing in the living room. It took me a minute or two (or three) to make it in there. Upon arrival, I saw that Everett had pulled some baby toys and was trying to entertain Merritt, with some degree of success.

Mom: Evy! You are such a nice brother to try and help Merritt.
Evy: Of course I am.
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When Dad is out of town, I give the food choice to Everett hoping he chooses something like hamburger.

Mom: What do you want for lunch?
Evy: Pbutter samich.
Mom: Really, would you like a hamburger?
Evy: No, pbutter samich.

Later that day, I try again (anything for an excuse to get out of the house and have someone else make food).

Mom: What do you want for dinner?
Evy: Pbutter samich.
Mom: Really, would you like pizza or noodles?
Evy: No, pbutter samich.

Though, sometimes he will go for pizza.
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Everett and I have talked about how it is better to use a nice voice, especially when talking with Merritt. Today, I was a bit short with him because we were late going out house hunting (blast the process of buying a house). He was doing the Toddler Dawdle and after repeating myself several times--

Mom: Evy, GET in the carseat right now! (said firmly with emphasis on GET)
Evy: No, talk nice Mommy.

hhhmmmmm. okay, maybe that is justified.

Mom: Evy, I need you to listen to me the first time I tell you something (horror, I think MY parents told me this). We are late getting to the house. I need you to get in the car right now. When you do things when I ask them, then I think you are listening. When you don't do them, I feel like I have to talk louder.
Evy: Okay, I get in car.
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When Evy goes down for a nap, he wants to know what is going on while he is stuck in bed. He goes through this almost every time.

Evy: Merritt nap?
Mom: Yes, Merritt is going to take a nap.
Evy: Mommy nap?
Mom: No, Mom needs to work (why I talk about myself in third person sometimes, still, is beyond me).
Evy: Mommy work?
Mom: Yes, I'll be doing work.
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Sometimes, I like to lay down on the couch when we are watching a show. This is what Evy does:

Evy: Mommy tired?
Mom: (depends) Yes, I am a little tired.
Evy: Mommy little tired. Mommy hedake?
Mom: No, I don't have a headache. (he asks this because he knows that when Dad gets a headache it is a serious owie.)
Evy: Mommy sick?
Mom: No, I just want to lay down.
Evy: Okay.

He then runs to get one of his blankets. If I am sick or have an owie, he'll bring two of his blankets. Then he lays the blanket over me and says, "Okay, Mommy." Then sits right down to finish watching the show.
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Merritt and Everett love playing with one another (though Everett hates it when Merritt takes his stuff). Whenever Everett makes Merritt laugh, he'll come get me.

Evy: Mom, make Merritt laugh! [insert excited laugh from Evy] See?

He then runs and does whatever antic they were up to at the time. It is so cute to see him walk around so proud that he made his brother happy.

Uh, I Don't Know

I just popped into the main room after checking my email. It is 9:00 pm. Evy, who was put to bed an hour and change ago, was very nonchalantly watching TV with his feet up and all. Who is this kid?

I run him back to bed.

It is now 9:03 pm. He is chatting in a singsongy voice to himself and is turning on all the lights in the house while dancing.

Succumb to the toddler magic or strangle?

Evy Speaks

Who else will think you are a hero for making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

Mom: Evy, your sandwich is ready.
Evy: Pbutter samich! WHOO--HOOOO!

In that instance and for that moment, I know I ROCK!

Buying a House--Long Story Short

We decided to not put the offer on the house. sigh. sigh. sigh.

Result of irritating real estate agent, and the type of loan we would have needed to obtain for repairs was chock full of unnecessary fees. In Texas, the buyer cannot leave the table with money. That means that the buyer cannot leave the table with money for repairs, for appliances, for being good looking or having a nice personality.

So, you look to other types of loans like an FHA 203K. Not for us. It would cost us more because we are responsible, have good credit, and aren't willing to throw away $6,000 upfront $70 a month in lending fees.

Back to square one.

I started packing this morning.