Caged {Project 365 - Day 31}

 What we do with the kids when we are trying to watch The Bachelor our Monday night t.v. show. :o)

First Swing

We took the boys to the park on this beautiful, sunny day.

Emory really enjoyed taking his first swing.

The Sweetest Sight {Project 365 - Day 30}

pat-a-cake {Project 365 - Day 29}

Missed {Project 365 - Day 28}

Ev missed his nap today.

Dinner missed Everett. 

AH-HAH!!!!!

Too bad the camera focussed in on the toilet paper roll and not his eyes cause this would have been an especially cute photograph.  All the more reasons I need to take a photography class - missing lots of great, adorable shots.

A toilet paper roll has been the item to play with this morning. Ev's running around the house looking for things to examinie through this new perspective.  I especially love the big 'ol "AH-HAHHH!!!" that follows.   :)

Gymnastics 101

Tonight was Ev's first night in gymnastics. 

He spent 50 minutes along with 6 other ankle biters rotating through various activity stations. 

Some activities included the trampoline

circle time,

tumbling

 

hopscotch and the balance beam.

Ev also learned how to swing on a rope and then got to jump into a pool of foam blocks.

Afterwards, Ev got to ring the bell for his accomplishments. WAY TO GO EVERETT!

Before being dismissed, the kiddos sat in a line while Coach Phil stamped their feet with a star; then gave each of them a coloring sheet and sucker.

Everett had a great time and Deona got in a workout.  :o)

GYMNASTICS!!!

HOORAY!!!!!  

Everett has his very first gymnastics class this evening.

If you'd like to join us give us a call, otherwise we'll have photos posted later tonight. :)

Television {Project 365 - Day 27}

I've been thinking lately (yes, it hurts my head) of ways that I can improve my parenting. The first thing that entered my mind was reducing the amount of television Everett watches each day. I'm the first to admit that I have become very dependent on the television to entertain Everett; especially during times when I am doing chores, preparing meals, needing a brief moment of rest or just feeling plum lazy.  

Today was DAY ONE of our new routine.  How's it going?  Everett adjusted beautifully and seemed totally content with getting only 30 minutes of TV time at lunch and before dinner. The only difference I noticed was that he wanted more of me. :o)  Today we played more, imagined more, and hugged more.  He's completely happy and I'm thrilled. I'm the one adjusting back to being needed so much.  

I can't remember the last time Everett needed to be rocked to sleep.  This evening he wanted that. 

This feels better. 

Healthier. 

Less Lazy.

Need a Laugh?

Musical Babies {Project 365 - Day 25}

Potty Training Update - Good Job Everett!

We just completed Day 21 of potty training.  Everett has been doing really well. Some of his potty training accomplishments have been:

• Longer periods between bathroom visits (every 20-60 minutes), depending on how much he's had to drink.
• Taking naps and waking up with dry underwear. Naps include: in bed, in the car, and in shopping carts. :)
• Traveling 2 1/4 hour in a car without an (potty) accident. THAT was huge!  Poor baby peed like a whole minute when we finally got home.
• Adjusting and going both #1 and #2 in his new toilet
• Pull his underwear down and back up without help.

Ev is so use to hearing one of us say "GOOD JOB!" after each potty visit, that he now is saying it to himself. :)

In addition to being absolutely thrilled that we are over the most difficult part of potty training, I am relieved to have fewer diapers to change during the day.   

Our next challenge, you ask?  Weening Emory from his pacifier.  :-/ Stay tuned.

Playdate {Project 365 - Day 24}

We had a nice day with Kaitlyn and Rebecca.  It's always so nice catching up and watching the kiddies play. 

Gharial Croc meets Everett {Project 365 - Day 23}



Another fabulous day at the Fort Worth Zoo. This Gharial crocodile visited Everett while we ate lunch in the M.O.L.A.

Fun with Grammy {Project 365 - Day 22}

Everett & Emory spent a fun evening with Grammy while D & I enjoyed a rare date night. 

What did we do you ask? 

Went to dinner, enrolled Ev in gymnastics and a made a trip to Babies 'R Us. 

Yes folks,  we are 2 wild and crazy gals. 

Thanks Grammy for babysitting, we sure had a nice evening. :)

Whose Baby Is This? {Project 365 - Day 21}

Whose Baby Is This?

He's ours...It's Emory!

Though it may appear he dislikes his hairdo, it's really because I wasn't handing over the container of snacks fast enough. 

Time to Pooh {Project 365 - Day 20}

I caught Everett taking Pooh Bear to potty today.  Super adorable.

Good Job Pooh Bear!

So Big... {Project 365- Day 19}

....and so cute!

Time Out Chair {Project 365 - Day 18}

Our dear child has become a frequent visitor to the Time Out Chair in the hall.   I know I shouldnt have taken a photo during his punishment, but his crossed legs made me laugh.  In addition he gave me a great big smile and "Cheese!".  Looking forward to the boys visiting Grammy this evening. :o)  THANKS GRAMMY!!

Ev & Em {Project 365 - Day 17}



Laundry Sunday {Project 365 - Day 16}

Fat Cat {Project 365 - Day 15}

Grey Cat enjoys a lazy Saturday with us at home.

Scratch & Sniff {Project 365 - Day 14}

Potty Training Week

Everett's Toilet

Thank your lucky stars "Scratch & Sniff" technology hasnt been invented for computers.yet.

If you look at the base of the toilet, I'm sure you can imagine the smell for yourself.

Can you guess what we're doing this weekend?  Wanna help? :)

Holding Our Breath

Well it's been one week since Everett started potty training and as expected we've experienced really good days and really bad days.  The past two days have been REALLY good and accident free!

I'm not going to tell you potty training has been easy, because it hasn't been. At all.
I'm finally feeling he's 100% aware when he has to go "wee wee" and the time span between each potty run has increased from every 7 minutes to every 20-30 minutes.
We're holding our breath because his wee-wee smelling bathroom needs a good scrub down we're past the most difficult stage of potty training because if we are, I sure could use a night out (sans kids, of course). Wha? Of course you can babysit. :o)

Not Listening {Project 365 -Day 13}

"If I don't see you, I can't hear you."

Opened Mail

Since the holidays we've been having problems with opened mail; specifically anything that appears "card like".  Because of this, please do not send us anything of value through U.S. Mail.  Please let us know if you have and we will follow up on our end.  No more sending cash to the boys Granma. :o)
We are contacting management as well as the post office.

Family Nature Club Meets This Saturday

Fort Worth Stock Show

Visit our Nature Club Blog for more information.

Wrestling {Project 365 - Day 12}

Ev loves wrestiling with his Aunt Schneider. Too cute.

Making a difference- one person at a time.

Every day I turn on the tv, or the computer I'm blasted by breaking news of shootings, robberies, abductions, bullying and political mess.

Loved Bill Maher message on Jay Leno Show 1.11.11

The world is in turmoil and it not only infuriates me but it terrifies me to think of our boys trying to navigate their way in this cruel world. Sometimes I wonder if bringing a child into this world is a completely selfish act. Like is it just something that we do because we think we're supposed to, or because we need the title of "Mom" or "Dad" to complete us?  Our boys are two of the best things that ever happened to me. By far. It terrifies me to let them out into this world that they were brought into; I will do everything in our power to keep them safe. We (Deona and I) are their first role models and it is our responsibility to be/stay involved. It is a lifetime commitment.


Recently the hot topic in/on the news was about Bullying. Putting measures in schools to protect our children is a must, but shouldn’t our leaders/politicians be held accountable for their actions as well?  Like it or not, politicians are role models. For me, I think it will be challenging to explain to our boys that “our leaders are behaving this way, but you shouldn't". I'm waiting for the day a politician runs a genuinely clean election (without bullying or bashing the opposition). I would vote for them. Cross.My.Heart.  Perhaps they don't deserve my vote, but I'd vote for them just because of their clean campaign.

I am horrified and saddened to learn about the attack and loss of life in the Tucson shooting. Please continue praying for those affected, including the shooter. This young man clearly fell through the cracks.

We all have the potential to be great role models.  I'm starting with me. As a parent, it is my responsibility to guide our boys.  My actions are powerful.  My words are powerful. It's time I start taking responsibility.  Will you join me? I have some ideas and will blog about them in later posts.  
Together, we can all make a difference. One person at a time.

Cookie Face {Project 365 - Day 11}

Copyright Notice & Watermarking

I found out that we really should be watermarking all of our blog photos. Unfortunately we live in a world where there are really sick, perverted people out there stealing pictures of little kids off of blogs and posting them on sick perverted websites. Knowing this, I have started watermarking as a precautionary measure.

Additionally, I must also note that all images, photographs and text are copyright of © M,D,Esquare and ©www.theguajardos.blogspot.com. Do not copy or use any portion of this blog to claim as your own without our permission. Thanks for your understanding.

For Hire. {Project 365 - Day 10}

9 MONTHS

Emory is nine months old today.

He weighs 25 lbs and is the 95 percentile for his age.

 Happy Birthday Emory!

Project 365 - Day 9

'Tis time for the heated mattress pad.   Brrrrrrrr.

Snow & Strays

It's snowing!

 The complex 'tom cat' finds refuge...

 on our patio.

I think Mr. TomCat lost his mojo   :o)

Potty Progress

We just completed DAY 4 of potty training and I'm finally feeling we've made HUGE progress.

I know this because, Everett:

• wore underwear  as soon as he woke up this morning (7:30 a.m) until bedtime (8:30 p.m.) and did not soil his underpants, even once.
• woke up from a 2 hour nap with a DRY diaper.
• told us when he needed to go "wee wee" and his underpants were dry vs. wet.
• did not pee or poop on the carpet.

None of the above applied yesterday. Yesterday {in private} i cried and swore and kicked and cried and cried some more.   I finally concluded and accepted the possibility our Everett might be wearing diapers until he is able to potty train himself.  Don't laugh. No lie.

I recognize we're not in the clear, but I'm relieved to know we will experience days of progress, as well. Hooray for Everett, we are so proud!

Grampy {Project 365, Day 8}

We took this super cute picture today.  Too bad it was taken with the iphone.

Grampy and Everett 1.8.11