First Life Lesson

Last night, Nathan and I went to the grocery, to, you know...get groceries. ;) Nathan really likes to ride in the carts with the cars in the front ("the blue one mama!"), which I am not a huge fan of because the car makes the cart so large, and I am not at all experienced in driving a semi! Anyways, it was later in the evening, around 7pm or so. Nathan hadn't eaten dinner yet (bad mother, I know), I hadn't eaten dinner yet (again, bad mother of child in womb, I know), so I was tired, hungry and just not really wanting to be at the Grocery right then. Regardless, we got through it (Nathan was a very good boy, until he started screaming because he wanted Cheetos and I told him he had to eat some dinner first). We checked out, and were getting in the car, when I noticed that Nathan had grabbed a bag of Skittles from the checkout isle while I was paying for the groceries.

Now, I am pretty sure that the only candy that Nathan really knows the packaging of are Reece's P-butter cups (and MAYBE M&Ms), the mini ones. I really try to stay away from commercial TV so that he doesn't learn a whole lot about packaging and get sucked in to the marketing of it all (call me crazy, I know...he will learn it all through other kids, I am sure). SO, for him to pick up the Skittles bag, was him just being curious as to what this shiney red bag was all about (and I am sure he wondered what must be in it). I know he really didn't KNOW they were Skittles/candy...he is pretty innocent about the checkout isle and that there is candy at all of them (and I would like to keep it that way). BUT, he did take the Skittles...

SO...being tired and hungry, I was faced with a very simple decision: Do I take the time to take the candy back into the store and return it because we didn't pay for it? It was a bag of Skittles...they would never miss it. He didn't INTENTIONALLY mean to "steal" it, he has no idea what that means. We are tired, hungry, and going back in the store, means unloading all the groceries and walking back in...or pushing the semi of a cart all the way back into the store, through the crowds of people...blah, blah, blah...OR do we just go home, with the bag of Skittles?

As tired and as hungry as we both were, I decided that this could be Nathan's first lesson in integrity and honesty (two very BIG human qualities that I deem as very important in a personality). So, we unloaded the groceries into the car, put the car cart away, and went back into the store. I told Nathan he needed to give the Skittles back to the store because we don't just take things without paying for them, regardless of how small they are. He carried the bag, and handed it over to the cashier. (No, I did not get angry at him, nor yell at him, nor even seem flustered...so don't worry that I freaked out and scarred him for life. That isn't my style!)

The cashier looked a little baffled and even started to ring them up, but I told her that we actually didn't even want them. She looked even more baffled.

On the way out Nathan hugged me and said:
Nathan: Have to pay for things, right Mama?
Me: That's right Natey, we don't just take stuff without paying for them.
Nathan: I sorry Mama...

It was THE sweetest moment, and as simple as it was, and as young as he is...he got it!

The Teachings of a Father

A New Way to Use Mascara

Apparently he thinks mascara is for his lips. Hey, at least he didnt try to put it on his lashes...that could have required a trip to the E. R!

Let There Be Light...

Well, start doing jumping jacks and cartwheels folks...the Ices have their power back on!!!!!!! We went to dinner, then to the park and got home at about 8:00pm, and the power was on! Apparently they got it working only 15 minutes prior!!! Boy oh boy...how sweet it is! Even Nathan knew that life was back to normal. :) Well, as normal as it is to see his pregnant mother doing cartwheels in the font lawn! ;)

Anyways. Whew. We made it! Again, thanks to EVERYONE for opening your homes, for offering your food, your washing machines....your hearts to make life a little more comfortable for us!

We are back in business!

Not Even a Flicker of Light...

Here we are, day 6 of Blackout Louisville. I have been pretty easy going and accepting the entire week...until about 1:30pm today, and I think I just hit a wall. Now I am irritated. People ARE getting their electricity back, so maybe that is why I am getting frustrated. I see results, its just results in our neighborhood. We haven't even seen an electric truck drive through out neighborhood! I am over it and beginning to think that electricity is just a figment of my imagination.

Many years ago, when my dad was alive, he used to take my brothers and nephews on what they call the "50 Miler". This is a hiking trip through the Mountains of Wyoming. They would hike in to their "spot" hang out and camp for a couple of days, then hike out. In fact, my brothers, uncles, and cousins still do this every year, though I think they have cut the hiking down and now have a new "spot". Anyways, my dad conned me into going on this trip, twice. It was fantastic and fun and a great experience. Now the first time I went, I remember walking out. Backpack on my back, tired, my feet still hurt from hiking in three days earlier. I was over the camping thing. All I wanted was a hot shower and a cheeseburger from McDonald's. It was just my dad and I hiking out, for some reason (maybe Matthew was either staying another day, or was a head of us). Anyways, we reached timberline, which signified we were "almost" to the car...closer to a hot shower! I remember hiking down through the timberline for what seemed HOURS and HOURS and HOURS. There was an actual point during that hike down that I thought I would NEVER see the car. I could not at all see the light through the trees, so to speak.

This is how I feel about electricity today. I can't imagine they will EVER get it turned back on.

This has NOTHING to do with Nathan. He is great. He is camping with Nan and Paps and I am sure having a wonderful time.

Again, I will continue to keep you updated. I will even take pictures of the cartwheels that I will do when/if they ever get the electricity on! ;)

Power Update

Just another quick update. We are still without power. The original estimate of 10-14 days that the power company quoted is still standing. I was hoping that they were just overestimating to make everyone happy, but honestly...at this point...we will be lucky to get power by next week!

I hasn't been too bad. We have actually had to TALK and ASSOCIATE with each other, including neighbors! What a concept! ;) While it has been a huge inconvenience, it has been nice to simplify life a little :)

Again, thanks to those who have had power that have fed us and let us use their Internet connections :)

More updates later.

Clown Fish

Last night, while we were sitting in the Wendy's drive thru line (for FOREVER), Nathan started getting irritated and wanted to get out of his car seat. Well, he got to the point of just starting to lose it and really show is 2year old colors when the following conversation occurred:

Jonathon: Nathan, knock it off buddy. That is enough!
Nathan: *smirks at his dad*
Jonathon: It's not funny!
Nathan: Dad, I'm a clown fish...

I know, it doesn't read funny, but we could not help but to laugh. He said it so seriously, and the fact that he knew what a "clown" fish was made it even funnier (for those of you who have seen the Disney/Pixar movie Finding Nemo, you are aware that Nemo is a Clown Fish, which is where Nathan picked up the term). It was just funny. Guess you had to be there :

The Eye of the Storm

So...for those of you that do not live in the Louisville area, here is a minor update:

Yesterday, Louisville (as was Indianapolis and Cinci as well as tons of other cities) was hit with a severe windstorm, remnants of Hurricane Ike apparently. 75mile/hr winds whipped through the city (Cheyenne people, this is not new to you, I know. I actually turned to Jonathon and asked him when we moved to Cheyenne. ;)) Trees fell and power lines went down with them. SOO...250,000homes are without power today, and the electric company is saying that it will most likely be 10-14 days for power to come back on (I assume they are overestimating that just to be on the safe side). We are without power unfortunately. A tree (or trees) behind us and a few doors down fell directly on the power lines and the power boxes (not sure if that is what they are called) exploded.

Our neighborhood is not priority at this point. The Ryder Cup is in town this weekend, so that is priority (damn that golf!). SO. We wait.

Thanks to those that have offered their homes and food and showers and freezers for us, and everyone else that is without power. Things could be a lot worse! Luckily everyone is healthy and happy...

I will keep you all posted!

The Verdict

So...we went to the Doctor this morning. It was overcast, and we had had an early morning thunderstorm. It was VERY sticky and humid. The doctor's office seemed to be pretty busy for a Friday morning, or maybe we were just anxious. We got called into the ultrasound room, where I sat on the table and the technician began. She measured everything it seemed. Head. Feet. Face. Hands. Stomach. Brain. Counted toes and fingers. Checked for a cleft lip.

Did you know that now (at least in this Doc office) the 3-D ultrasound is standard?! When I was pregnant with Nathan, you had to pay extra and set up and additional appointment to get the 3-D photos. Not today, she kept showing us picture after picture. How cute the little one is. Little arms hiding the face, two little fingers offering up the "peace" sign. SO CUTE...and a little odd to think that this was/is a new little one in our family. I am not sure I am a big fan of the 3-D pictures. While it is amazing to see what the little one looks like...I wonder if it is yet another "surprise" that is being taken away from the actual birth (you know how they say the "last great surprise in life is not know the sex of the baby before it is born".). Alas, I assume the little one will change a huge amount in the next 4 months that even the 3-D photos will have any resemblance to what actually comes out of the womb. It was pretty cool though :)

So yeah, it was a great morning! Very exciting to start thinking of names and imagining how life is going to be with two children to care for. At some moments it seems very overwhelming and scary, and then there are fleeting moments where there is just pure excitement at the prospect of a new little one. :)

A good day. :)

Oh yeah, and it's a BOY! ;)

A Brother or a Sister?

So...this coming Friday (September 12, at 9:30am) I will have an ultra-sound (or is it a sonogram...what is the difference?) to find out if Nathan will have a Little Brother or a Little Sister. I put a little poll up on my other blog a long time ago, but I am going to throw one up on this blog too. Sooo those that have already voted, feel free to vote again (did you change your mind???), and those that want to vote, feel free to do so. :)

See right --->

Sprinkler Montage

How's that for some funny faces? ;)

Labor Day Fun

Labor Day. The end of summer (or so the tradition goes). I can't believe that summer is on the down slope! Where has it gone! How is it possible that we only went to the pool (Plainview) once, and the JCC twice!?! How is it possible that we only went to the YMCA splash park once? How is it possible that it is SEPTEMBER???? Where the heck have we been?! We sure haven't been sitting on our rumps all summer that is for sure...I am just not sure where the days have gone (I am blaming pregnancy brain!).

Regardless. Labor Day. Jonathon played golf, and everyone else was spending it with their families or however they spend Labor Day. So, Nathan and I decided to have a Labor Day party of our own, in our backyard, with water, and sprinklers and cars and the hose. :)

Thirsty?

Naaaah...


Sprinkler Fun!

(Side note: I have turned on the sprinkler for Nathan in the past and he really has had zero interest in it...until Labor Day. He couldn't get enough of it. In fact, after our morning sprinkler party, and his nap, he wanted to go back outside and play in it again. Which we did, and I am hoping to get some video up of it!)

Jetsetting...Again!

Last week, we all three jetted off to Utah to visit the Frentheway Crew again. We were only there for a few days, but had a great time nonetheless! It was amazing to see how much Nathan has "matured" since our visit in June, two months ago! In June, he was a little apprehensive about actually playing with the boys, so he mostly just watched them. He wasn't into playing with cars, trains, scooters...he wasn't into anything other than the garage door! This time, though, he really played (with me close by). He learned how to ride a scooter by himself. He jumped on the trampoline, played cars, trains, basketball, and attempted anything else the other boys were doing. Unfortunately, the three oldest boys (Kreed, Dawson and Ryker) had already started school, so we didn't get a whole lot of time with them (and ZERO pictures!). But I am sure we will get back there soon enough! :)

One day, Melissa and I took the three little boys (Beau - 4, Nathan - 2, and Riggs - 11 mos) to feed the ducks! They had a great time. (Beau is in the background with the popcorn bag)

Baby Riggs! SUCH a good little baby! He has changed a lot since June as well. He is now crawling and is anxious to get MORE mobile and grown up so that he can participate in all the fun boy stuff that goes on!

(Thanks, as always, Frentheway Crew for letting us come and disrupt your lives for a week! We had a great time!!!)

Goldfish and Kisses

There was a point, during our visit to the KY State Fair, that Nathan needed a snack. Well, he thought that the goats needed a snack as well, so he kept trying to feed them his goldfish.

BUT, he decided that a kiss would be just as filling...

Cows and Goats

It was that time of year again - The Kentucky State Fair - which apparently is one of the largest state fairs in the country. Yes, how could we pass up an opportunity to eat corn dogs and fried snickers bars? Okay, well we actually DID pass up the food and headed strait to the cows and goats. Nathan's Grand-Mom was in town and we made a day of it...

The Real Thing

As Jonathon and I discussed what to get Nathan for his birthday, it became very evident that a real set of golf clubs was going to win. You see, I am not a golfer, I have zero interest, and have only begun to understand the game because it is a constant in my husband's life (and his parents)...therefore, to feel as if I am not completely "out of the loop", I attempt to understand. So, I knew I was not going to win the battle for what to get our son for his birthday. I knew that if golf clubs weren't bought for his birthday, than they would be bought for Christmas. So...this is what Nathan got. A brand, spanking, new set of REAL golf clubs, that fit is height. I think that Jonathon was WAY more excited in giving them to Nathan than Nathan was in getting them, though I am sure as he gets a little older he will appreciate that he has them. :)

(Do you hear the angels singing songs of joy when you look at these clubs? ;)

And, I must admit, Nathan does look pretty cute whacking away with his clubs. He is actually getting pretty good and accurate. Which is why I made rules when I agreed to let Jonathon get the clubs for him. They are as follows:
1. No playing in the house (this goes for daddy as well)
2. No playing around other kids (this goes for daddy as well)
3. Learn to respect them...don't go throwing them all around the yard like the plastic clubs. (this goes for daddy as well)

So far, Nathan has abide by these rules...Daddy, on the other hand...I am still working on that ;)