I can't believe I forgot to blog this... Valentine's Day. It's different for us because of last year. This year Larry worked because of the Memorial Services held for the NIU anniversary of the shooting that occurred last year http://www.niu.edu/PubAffairs/RELEASES/2009/feb/2-14-09.shtml. Larry invited me to a luncheon reception for the first responders. Meaning, all of those who were the first on the scene and in the hall afterwards. The DeKalb firemen, 8 NIU officer's including Chief Grady, Larry, the LT's, and the rest of the officer's and Sgt's. I had been so detached from the whole thing, but it was a really emotional day, and actually let me appreciate my husband a lot more. It really touched me that the family members of the victims and deceased would come up and shake the officer's hands and thank them for all they did.

Obsessed~

This is our lives... Thomas the Tank Engine. It started just before he hit 2 yrs old, and has been ongoing since. Every morning, "Hey Ma! You wanna watch Thomath"? "Watch Moo Moo Choo Choo" (which is Boo Boo Choo Choo, a Thomas the Tank Engine music video)? Every time he wakes up: "Find Gordon, find Duncan, find Emily, find Fergus, etc..." Ethan is not content to have the DVD's playing, he wants Thomas on the laptop, on the TV upstairs, and on the PC... pretty much everywhere! We are going insane. Larry and I will catch ourselves singing a Thomas song! Argh! But, we are going to the live show anyway... the things we do: http://www.thomasandfriends.com/usa/liveonstage.asp

Uncle Casey and Megan!

We went downtown and met with Casey Lennon and Megan LaBelle. We don't get to hang out with them very much since our schedules are so conflicting, but when we do, we always have a good time. Casey is Larry's best friend growing up in Florida. They have been friends and practically inseparable since 11 yrs old.

Uncle Casey, I scared...

Friday the 13th!

My birthday fell on Friday, the 13th this year. It was a great day, though! First - it's the Chinese year of the OX! I'm an Ox, it's MY year! Larry got me pots and pans that I've been wanting for a while and a gift card to Gilly Hicks, which is one of my fav stores! A bunch of us from work went out after work hours and celebrated a few birthdays.
Thanks, everyone, for the warm and happy birthday wishes! I had an awesome day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Gooooo, Allie!

This is our niece, Allie. Isn't she a doll? We are so proud of her - she is graduating this year from HS, where she is both on the basketball team and the cheer squad.

Okay. I realize I have been absent for a few weeks. It has been so crazy here. I have been sick with an URI (upper respiratory infection), the following week Ethan caught it, now Larry has it! Argh! I have been on mandatory 'additional work hours' and working on weekends.
Now, I have learned why this age/phase is called "terrible two's". Ethan has always been a patient and wonderful child (what am I saying - it's been like 2 yrs), but lately... O-M-G! Seriously! The tantrums. He'll come grab my hand crying and whining and yelling "Ma! Ma!", so I pick him up, but he doesn't want to be picked up, so I put him down, he doesn't want down. He ends up throwing himself on the floor and squirming and wriggling around crying out various things: "I hurt! I sad, Ma! I fell! Drink, drink! Cheese! Get outta here Kita! Daddy, help!" Nothing appeases him. He is still upset. I laugh - literally - very loud at him. I know that's not right, but it's seriously so funny. Yes, it makes him more mad. It usually results in me telling him to work it out and walk away - is that a bad thing?
Eventually he either works it out himself, or we put him in time out. After time out, he winds up saying "sorry, ma", disgusted, though and not sincere at all. By this time, he has been so hysterical that he can barely breathe.
I know, I know. This is my own fault. This child is so spoiled, and when he gets sick, I totally give him anything he wants. Now... how the crud do I fix it?