I'm Finally Cool!

I almost forgot to announce that I'm finally joining the ranks of my cool friends. Greg and I recently upgraded to SMART PHONES! Woo hoo! So I went from not being able to text on my phone to being able to search the web and do everything you can imagine. Pretty cool. I've downloaded some cool apps included 5000+ Baby Names and the kids' all-time favorite, Talking Tom Cat. Talking Tom Cat is a cute little gray cat that mimics what you say in a funny voice. He also purrs when you rub his tummy and says "no" if you touch his tail. The kids are nuts about it. Turns out it's a pretty good incentive for using the potty also....

Names

Lately I've been in the habit of calling Garrett by his full name when he is not listening. Something along the lines of, "Garrett Scott Stohs, get in here right now!" Avery seems to think she has the same middle name. She was walking around a few days ago singing, "Avery Scott Stohs, Avery Scott Stohs!" Luckily, her brother didn't hear her.

We've been working on our list of favorite baby names. Since we're not finding out the sex of the baby this time, we'll need a boy and a girl name. I've been asking the kids lately what names they like, just for fun. Garrett always says we should name the baby, "Avery" and Avery says we should name the baby, "Garrett." Either the teasing just never really stops at our house or they don't quite get it.

Doggy Heaven

I told the kids last night that we would be visiting Grandma and Grandpa this weekend. They both shrieked with excitement. Avery said that she wanted to see Abby, Grandma and Grandpa's old yellow lab that recently passed away. Garrett said, "Avery, remember that Abby died. She's in doggy heaven now so she can eat as many dog bones as she wants. Isn't that right, Mom?" How sweet is that?

Tomboy

Our little girl is always dressed in pink and has pretty long hair. But that's about where the girly qualities end! Tonight Avery went to bed with a big rubber dinosaur and her brother's monster truck. For her upcoming 3rd birthday I have dreams of buying her a big Barbie-sized dollhouse but in reality she would probably much rather have a shake-and-go race car track. What should I do? I guess we better take her shopping before the big day...

Happy Anniversary Greg!

Nine years ago today I married my best friend. And if it's possible, our life together continues to get better and better...

The Prank

Sometimes we underestimate our 2-year old. Avery was busy playing in her bed after bedtime on Saturday evening. We could hear her through the baby monitor but figured she would fall asleep quickly since she was a tired girl. A little bit later we heard some loud noise and Greg went to check it out. Turns out she had come out of her room, walked into Garrett's, and said, "Time to wake up Garrett. I'm locking you in." Then she headed out and locked the door. (His doorknob is turned around so he can't lock us out when he's in trouble, so Avery locked him in from the outside). Garrett immediately started screaming. That little girl was in big trouble! So my big question is, how can a little kiddo that knows how to play pranks on her brother not know how to use the potty?? (Actually on a positive note, we went back to underwear today and she stayed dry all day!!)

Happy New Year and a Dog Emergency

I had no intention of staying up to ring in the new year this year. I always stay up until midnight but given our recent bout with the flu and my pregnancy-induced sleepy state, I thought I'd turn in at a decent time that night. Greg and I were lucky to have a babysitting offer from my friend Alyx, so we actually went out on a date on New Year's to celebrate our anniversary a few days early! After arriving at a local favorite restaurant with an hour and 45-minute wait, we quickly hurried to Shogun's where we got in within 20 minutes and had a delicious supper. Then we hit the movies with no time to spare. We had a great time!
When we arrived home, we chatted with Alyx for awhile and watched the ball drop on TV at 11:00. We lot the dogs (Casey and Alyx's dog, Bryda) outside one last time and when they came in Casey's foot was bleeding badly. We laid him down and realized one of his big back claws was bent over completely sideways. After stopping the bleeding and making a quick call to the emergency vet office we decided we couldn't attempt to clip his claw because it was anchored too tightly sideways, so off I went with Casey to the vet's office. After they checked him out I received the $73 bill with news that they couldn't do anything so they wrapped it up, gave him a nice lampshade to wear and told me he needs surgery in a few days! The clock struck midnight on my way home. I arrived home to tell Greg, "Happy New Year and your dog needs surgery!"

Casey update:
Casey's beloved kids have been taking the BEST care of him. They snuggle with him and tell him what a good dog he is. Avery lays down with him and puts her head inside his lampshade to snuggle her head next to his. The second night Casey was in a lot of pain and couldn't fall asleep. At about 2:00 am, I found him fast asleep stretched out on his little girl's floor. I guess he just felt better being near his kids.
Casey went in for his surgery to remove his toenail today. Luckily they sedated him and were able to do some major clipping instead of surgically removing the toe. He has exposed bone and his foot is really sore so we are spoiling him. He gets a check-up on Wednesday to see how his toe is healing.