By way of catching up...

Well folks, I am finally going to update the blog on some of the happenings in the McPhie life. It has been busy and fun these past few months and I wish I could go into detail about all of the fun things we have done. But I know I won't do any of it if I try to do too much. So here is a just a little taste of what we have been up to:

First of all, Scott and I went on our fabulous trip to Hawaii for 8 days! No kids! People...it was heaven. Just perfect. All of my siblings were there (with spouses) and of course my wonderful parents. It was so fun. My two favorite things we 1)the snorkel tour where a whole pod of dolphins swam right next to us and we got to see them up close and personal. It was so cool. On that same tour we saw a 6 foot reef shark and huge sea turtles and tons of gorgeous fish. Awesome. and 2)jumping off the cliffs(25-30ft) at a waterfall and swimming across the lake to do the rope swing. To be honest, I really can't believe I did it. I am usually pretty chicken about stuff like that. Ty and Cam stayed with Amy and Erik (Scott's sister and her husband) who live here in our same city. They had so much fun that they keep asking when we are going away again so that they can go back to Amy's house.

Next off...more by way of announcement...we are expecting our third child! We really couldn't be more excited! Ty asks just about every day if we are going to have the baby today. It is making the time go really slowly, but I love his excitement for our new addition. I am 13 weeks and my due date is Jan 1st...but since it is going to have to be a C-section, I get to pick a day between Dec 20th and Jan 1st. We are leaning towards the week between Christmas and New Years...maybe Dec 27 or 28th. I am feeling great and everything is going well. I did feel much more tired and sick this pregnancy but it has passed and to be honest, it wasn't much to complain about anyway. I will definitely keep you updated on this :)

Ty finished up his Tball season and just did great! We are so proud of him.

We have been going to the pool here just about everyday because it has been so hot. The boys are really coming along with learning to swim! I was thinking about putting them in swim lessons, but now I am thinking that just going to the pool everyday and they are bound to learn :) Ty is already jumping into the deep end and swimming to the edge. Cam still jumps off the edge and sinks to the bottom. This kid has no fear of death. Needless to say, it is rarely relaxing when I go to the pool.

We had a wonderful Father's day and the boys and I make caramel breakfast rolls for Scott when he woke up. Then for dinner, we went to Ben and Jaimi's house and made an amazing meal of grilled steaks, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and watermelon. And washed it all down with a yummy lemon cake. On the way home Ty said "When does it get to be kids day?" Scott and I laughed hard all the way home. I think Ty was being serious, but I couldn't stop laughing to answer.

I have wanted to put off potty training for so long, but I think it is time. I think that once I finish watching the baby (which is next week, by the way) I am going to do it. I am dreading it, but also looking forward to having it done. Cam says he can't wait and begs to wear underwear all the time. I told Cam that he should pick a big treat that he can get once he fills up his chart and you know what he picked? Getting ice cream with Daddy. So cute. Wish us luck!

I couldn't do a blog post without letting you all know that Scott cut his hair. Oh joy of joys. He cut his hair! I have been happier in the past three days than I can ever remember :)

We took a family trip to Happy Hollow which is a little zoo and amusement park all in one. I have been with the kids several times, but this was the first time that Scott got to come and I have to say it was by far the most fun! The boys were loving every minute that they could do roller coasters and rides and show Scott how brave they are. Forget mom...they were shouting "Hi Dad!!" from every ride. I love it. I really do.

Scott and I in Hawaii (Kauai) hiking up to a beautiful beach and waterfall

Ty's face when he was just getting ready to get on the roller coaster

Cam and I getting ready to ride the roller coaster

When we got home from Hawaii we gave the boys these "surf shirts" and they immediately asked if they could wear them to bed. We decided that they could and so we put them on and Cam broke right into his famous "squat and wing out" dance. It seriously cracks me up. You have to see it in person and it will change your life.

A good friend on a bad night

Let me tell you a little story...

I was enjoying a delightful root beer float last night when Tyler came out of his room crying. He had throw up all over him. I quickly rushed him to the bathroom where he continued to throw up and then I cleaned him off and popped him in the shower. Meanwhile, Scott had gone into the bedroom to take off Ty's sheets and came in with Cam, who was also throwing up. Such a sad sight. I quickly cleaned Cam up and popped him the the warm shower with Ty and they both just laid in the tub, curled up in a ball.
Scott was the absolute best husband in the world. He went into their bedroom and cleaned EVERYTHING. He scooped up everything he could and then he hand-rinsed two quilts, four pillow cases, two sheets, three blankets, and two stuffed animals. He seriously spent probably just shy of an hour cleaning their room and rinsing all of their stuff off before we took it to the laundry room. What an amazing guy. I am thankful for him. While he was doing all of this by himself, he popped his head out of the bathroom and said "Rach, I am glad we are a team! I was just thinking that you usually do this stuff and I am glad to be able to do this now and give you a break."

As soon as this all started, I texted the lady that I nanny for and told her that I wouldn't be able to nanny the next day and then I also texted a friend of mine, Shayla, whose children I was going to watch the next day. I felt so awful to have to tell her that my kids were sick because she had set this up weeks ago for me to watch her kids so she could go with her husband on a date in the afternoon to find out the gender and health of their third child (so fun, huh??!!) Anyway, within just minutes of texting her, she called me.
The first thing she said is "Hi Rach! What can I do to help?" Do you need anything? What can I run get for you from the store? I am actually on my way to a store anyway."
I had realized just minutes before that we didn't have enough quarters to do all the laundry (Oh yes. Don't be jealous. We still get to do our laundry in coin-op machines. Super. fun.).
Shayla quickly agreed to bring some quarters by for us. I was so relieved to have such a kind and thoughtful friend. Scott was still cleaning the kids room and I was holding the bowl for the kids as they continued to throw up. I don't know what we would have done.

Then Shayla shows up at the door. This is SOOO Shayla. She brought with her...

BRAND NEW SHEETS!!! I actually hadn't even remembered that we didn't have spare sheets that fit the kids new twin beds. The list goes on...she also brought

Two containers of pedialite for the boys
A bottle of gingerale
Two new fun toothbrushes that light up--so they could get the yucky taste out of their mouth
A new movie to watch today while they are getting better

Honestly, I wanted to cry. I was so tired already and just so overwhelmed at the thought of being up all night. Shayla just swooped in and put the sheets on the beds and gave the boys their toys and made them feel all better. I was so relieved. I was so happy to have a friend like Shayla.

But it even goes on. I know, how can you get even nicer than that??

She took ALL our gross sheets and blankets and brought them to her house and washed them and I had fresh clean laundry first thing this morning dropped off at my house.

Now that is a really really great friend. I am so blessed to have really great friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you for saving me!

I hate yoga

I really do. I hate yoga. I wish I didn't. I wish I was one of those "I can't even start the day without a wonderful, relaxing, mind-cleansing, powerful, hour long session of yoga". But I am not.
In fact, I can't even do FOUR minutes. The last four minutes of my workout video is yoga and I always start doing downward dog and within 10 seconds I have turned the tv off and do my own stretching :) I guess that means that I probably NEED to do yoga more...but, don't count on it!

In other news...

Only four more weeks til I get to go to Hawaii. I am beyond excited. I am thinking of making a chain and draping it all around the house and when I get overwhelmed I can just look at it and think happy, relaxing thoughts.

I REALLY REALLY need to go get some fabric to make some new chair covers. The plastic covering is completely ripped off of one chair and I have been meaning to do it for so long. And now I also wants curtains for the family room.

Ty and Cam got their hair cut really short. They look so old!

I am so much happier with the children because of our new "Kindness Jar". Ty and Cam get to have an icecream bar each time they earn 10 kindness pennies. This has drastically decreased the amount of times that I have had to deal with fighting over toys, sharing issues, yelling, hitting, etc. Sigh of relief. I was close to going crazy. Actually, I crossed the line just a bit.

We went to Monterey this weekend with some friends. It was amazing. Everything was amazing. The food...oh, the food, staying up at night to watch movies/talk while the kids slept, the beach, the bike ride along the coast, the Dennis the Menace park, the friends, the scuba diving (for Scott and Joe). I want to go again this weekend :)

I want to find a good book...couple of books to read on the plane and while on vacation. Anyone have any suggestions?

Cam is talking so well these days and I love it when he grabs my face and puts his nose right to my nose to say something important.

We had an awesome dance party here in our living room a few days ago. I am talking a real dance party people. Handstands, somersaults, and even spinning on the head was demonstrated. Cam's feet move like lightning and Ty can strike poses that you have never seen before in your life. It was so much fun. And Scott pulled up from work right then. And he joined right in with his own groovy moves.

Wish I had pictures to post...sorry.

Birthday celebrations

Today, Ty woke up and ran into our bedroom and shouted "Hey, wake up! It's my birthday!"

We had such a fun day with him today! We started the day out at Hobee's with his birthday twin Jaimi (Ty's possible future mother in law) where he was thrilled to be able to order pancakes with chocolate chips. We headed straight to "The Jungle" in San Jose which is just a piece of heaven for two little boys. It is a huge play area...with nets, and tubes to crawl around in, a few ball pits, slides, etc. We set them loose into the play area and would go searching for them if it ever went too long without seeing them surface. It is so much fun! We made it home just in time for naps (and even the birthday boy took a nap after all that playing). After naps, we opened presents (and then Ty rode his new bike around for a bit) and then started watching his new movie "Beauty and the Beast".
We took a little break from the movie to go in and have Ty's dinner of choice: beef stroganoff, watermelon, and corn on the cob. Ty ate his own corn on the cob, begged for Scott's (which Scott ended up giving him since he wanted it so bad and, after all, it was his birthday) and even finished up Cam's. This kid LOVES corn on the cob.
Back to the movie to let the food settle.
Then paused the movie again to go in for cake. Ty asked for a strawberry cake with strawberries on top this year. Honestly, I let him pick any cake he wanted and thought he would totally go for the chocolate amazing looking ones. He really wanted the strawberry cake. Then we walked to the candy aisle where I told him he could pick whatever he wanted to put on top of the cake. After looking a minute he simply said "I think I'd like strawberries on top". I will take it!! Halfway through the week he said he wanted me to make the cake look like the Iron Giant. So I did my best and felt glad that when I asked him to come look at the finished product he could at least tell what it was :)

Man, I love that kid. He is so good. While we were at the restaurant this morning, a lady tapped me on the shoulder and said "Your kids are so wonderful. You should be very proud."
She couldn't have picked a better day to remind me what truly obedient, kind and just genuinely good kids I have. Especially that Tyler. He sets such a good example for Cam and he wants so deeply to do the right thing. We are so blessed to have him in our family!

Checklist for today

Stay in my pajamas all day long....check.

Feel miserable from the cold I have had for a week now and realize that I probably have a sinus infection...check.

Watch a little five month old for over eight hours. One that is teething and has a double ear infection....check.

Have two completely rambunctious boys who need to get their energy out but can't because it is cold and drizzling all day...check.

Get a massive migraine in the middle of the day that comes on so suddenly that I can't prepare or take medicine and have it wipe me out for the rest of the day...check.

Have cheerios for dinner...check.

Immediately start crying when I talk to Scott on the phone (who is out of town for a few days)...check.

Let the boys play in the bathtub for ALMOST AN HOUR...check.

Go to bed at 8pm...soon to be check.

Questions, comments, and concerns

Ty has had the following questions over the past few days....

"Mom, how do you REALLY make babies?" I guess he hasn't been satisfied with my glossing over the subject the past few times he has brought it up.

(partially in tears) "Why can't we have another baby in our family? Can I help you and dad get a baby?" This was as a follow up to the previous question.

"How does a fish live under the water all the time and not have to come up?"

"How does a cow make milk from just eating hay?"

"What is fat? What does it do to our blood?"

"Mom, here are your choices. You can either let me watch a movie or play a game on your phone. What do you choose?"

"What does it mean to zorse around?" To which I answered that I have no idea...but I then explained that I usually say "horsing around". He still thinks that is a weird phrase. It kind of is.

Yesterday, Scott walked into the family room and turned on the light. Ty followed him back into the bedroom and said "Dad, you broke something of mine." After further questioning about what Scott had broken Ty finally said "You turned on the light...and it broke my spookiness."

Yesterday we decided to go to the park and the boys rode their bikes. We passed a man who looked a little bit homeless...he had the torn clothes, dirt all over, unshaven, etc. He even had on a big hat and it was pretty ragged as well. He smiled at Cam as he passed and Cam stopped and got off his bike and ran over to him and said "Hey, are you a scarecrow?" I didn't know how to explain my child and the man just laughed and kept walking. Cam came running to me and said "Mom!! Look, a scarecrow!!!"

A few other happenings...on Monday, Ty and Cam were playing "bad guys and good guys" and Ty ran right into the mirrored sliding closet door. It immediately cracked in that spider web way all the way up the mirror. Luckily, Ty go further back before all the pieces started falling. We have told the boys so many times that they may not run into that mirror because it could break. So as soon as it did, Ty was crying and apologizing and sat down right by the wall before I even had time to process what had happened.

Later that night, for a valentines date, Scott and I went to Costco with the kids. So romantic.
In the line to check out, a little girl from the line next to us wandered over and the boys both waved him. Then, without warning, Cam walked right up and wrapped his arm around her and gave her a big hug. People around smiled. Then Cam pulled back and kissed her right on the lips. People around gasped and said "Aaaahhh". The mother of the little girl was still on her cell phone and just kind of smiled and pulled the daughter away. Costco really is romantic.

Beach

Yes, you read that right. We went to the beach on Saturday. The weather was gorgeous and the kids even braved the water (just up to their knees). We spent most of the morning just hanging around, cleaning, fixing random things. Then after naps, Scott just said "Everyone put your shoes on! We are going to Santa Cruz!" We quickly packed some snacks and popped in the car. We made it to the beach just in time to see the most beautiful sunset and still feel the warm sand on our feet. Seriously...it was heaven! Here are some pics...


Cam running in the waves. The water was freezing..but they didn't seem to mind. You can see Ty WAY out there too. They both ended up getting their pants all went and it made for a sad walk back to the car.


Pretty background! And such a handsome boy!


Oh us.


Family pic


The brothers...Cam is getting pretty tall. Ty keeps reminding him that he is still older though.


Love this picture. Especially because they boys aren't looking. Doesn't it always seem to happen this way...

I also had to include fun family memories like these ones...




Of course, they had to take their shirts off when fighting. Ty said it is because he looks stronger that way. Cam did it because Ty did it. Oh my...thinking about the future makes me need some strong medication :)