Land of McGovernville

pssst…if you are in WA and you can see this, that means you

Well folks I had grand plans of doing a cool Blogaversary type post, but alas, one of those cuties that I blog so often about is awake and she won’t go back to sleep with out being in my arms.  For now, enjoy this post, it is the one that started this madness!

First blog post ever

Get one!
Seriously, I don’t own stock in this company, nor do I have any reason to sell their product.  I just love it! 
Why do I love it?  First of all, it is a small item that you can use in your own home.  Yes, yes, so you already know that.  This small item takes up less space than your typical treadmill/eliptical/work out center that would normally be one’s choice of machinary to help you gain your fitness goals.  And it costs less than those items too. 

Ok, so what is it?  The Wii Fit is a balance board that works with the Wii.  When you first start up the game, it goes through it’s whole schpiel of fitness advice in regards to balance.  I read it and went through the motions only slightly interested.  I later saw the purpose.  After I got a {good} 35 minute workout I decided to try some strengthening exercises.  Usually when I get guidance through such exercises I can never quite get the right muscles to work.  I always end up using my back and end up in pain after my work out.  Tonight I learned that I was leaning forward too much, which in turn, gives me back issues!  After re-balancing I found that I used my muscles instead and I felt the ache (good ache) in my muscles not my back!  Right away I was sold! 

Aside from me using the Wii Fit, Vincent had the chance to use it today as well.  While it didn’t keep his attention for as long as it kept mine, he did seem to enjoy some of the activities. 

Alright already..enough about the Wii Fit.  Thanks for reading my ramblings.  And Thank You again Brian for ordering it for me (only because I wanted it, not because he thought I needed it). 

So, the weather here has be B E A U T I F U L!!!  Very unusual for this time of the year I might add.  We have been soaking up every warming ray that we possibly can.  Today Kenniston asked if we could go for a wagon ride, how could I resisit? 

One might ask how I would take 4 youngin’s on a wagon ride all by myself.  I have the answer right here…

Kiddo # 1 rambunctious little boy.  Free.  Energetic.  Daring.  Independant.  Fast.

  Today after PWOC I (attempted) to put the younger 3 down for a nap, while Vincent spent some time outside enjoying the sunshine.  After a while I was able to join him and I am glad I did.  Vincent scoured the yard for nature goodies and found some Maple Tree seeds.  He recognized them after we studied different types of seeds months ago!  They have a very distinct look, almost a very flat heart look.  They have this shape so they can twirl through the air to a soft landing in hopes of burrowing down and sprouting roots.  Today Vincent found some seeds that have started these roots.  He was so excited!  
  Upon finding the first sprouted seed he jumped up and said “I need to find some dirt to put this in so it can grow!”  Away he went.  After a while I found several seeds sticking out of the mole holes in our backyard.  It wasn’t long before Vincent asked if he could keep a few.  I suggested we put some in water to watch them grown.  He was thrilled with that idea.  Currently on our counter sits about a half dozen of these Maple Tree seeds.  Tomorrow we will start these seeds.  We would have today, but babies woke up and the sand box called the big kids away…Tomorrow, there is always tomorrow!

Here are a few pics or our Nature Lovin’ Big Boy:

but I wanted to post some pictures.  Brian is better able to check our blog (as opposed to our dropshots site), so I wanted to post some pictures here. 

BTW, I am kind of in a funk.  I had a weird experience this weekend.  While nursing Ruby (in our van) in a grocery store parking lot I saw a fight break out about 10 or so feet from our van.  One of the men pulled a gun out and was waving it around and yelling at the other man.  Eventually the police showed up and confrontation calmed, but it was one of the scariest things I have ever been through.  Those 6 minutes have been running through my head for the past few days.  If you get a moment, please pray that the anxiety and stress from that even pass quickly.  I feel so much responsibility being a temporary single mommy, but after this event, I feel like putting a bubble around my family every where we go.  Blah.

Anyway, to bring the mood up a bit…enjoy some pictures of this beautiful baby girl!

Nana (my mom) sent a package that included adorable Valentines Day shirts for each child.  The boys each had a shirt that read “Naturally Irresistable.”  When Vincent put his shirt on this morning, as he does every morning he asked me what it said and I told him.  Later that morning we called Nana to thank her for the shirts.  Nana asked him what his shirt said.  He answered with “Naturally It’s a vegtable. 

I couldn’t stop laughing…in fact I am still laughing.

Brian asked me about this on the phone and I hadn’t even thought about mentioning it on the blog until he asked…
Yes, the twins are still rear facing, and will remain that way until they are 2-years-old.  Over the years I have researched more and more about carseat safety.  I have found that rear facing is the safest possible way for an infant and toddler to ride.  Some parents let their child ride until they are 3 or 4 years old.  While I don’t think we will go that long, I do think it is best that they ride rear facing until at least 2 years of age. 

In the pictures you can’t quite tell that Ruby is rear facing, like I said before, I am glad Brian asked about it!  I will publish more later if I have time.  I am trying to gather up a little something special for the kiddos tomorrow!  Enjoy your day of love, with those you love!

*sniff*
Here we go, the kiddos are growing again.  Being as passionate as I am about carseats, this means a change in ye ol’ mini van.  Since March 2007, Kenniston has been in the cow print Britax Marathon (a convertible carseat, one of the safest on the market).  Knowing that Jack and Ruby would need to move onto a convertible carseat soon, we waited until the semi anual Britax sale this February and at that time we ordered the next step up for Kenniston (the Britax Frontier - a 5-point harness, high back booster that converts to a seat belted booster seat) and another Britax Marathon for Ruby (Jack will use the cow print Marathon).  Are you confussed yet? 

Vincent will be in his old carseat
Kenniston in the new Britax Frontier
Ruby in a new Britax Marathon
Jack will be in the cow print Britax Marathon

But, here is the thing…Ruby is closer to outgrowing her current seat than Jack.  So, we put Ruby in the cow print seat and had her new one sent to Nana’s house.  At that point we will give Jack’s current carseat, an infant carrier, back to it’s owner (Aunt Tonya) and we will put him in the cow print and Ruby in her new ultra girlie brown and pink carseat! 

I hope that didn’t make things worse for ya! 

You know this post wouldn’t be from me if there weren’t pictures and lots of them! 

Ruby:

Infant Carrier:
I couldn’t help but to put this first picture of her..Ruby on the way home from the hospital:

And Ruby yesterday:

Britax cow print:

Kenniston:

When she FIRST sat in the Britax cow print in March 2007 - BTW, the carseat was in the EXACT same spot I took Ruby’s picture (next to our brown leather chair in the living room), I had no idea until just now: