We're Alive

...and no, I'm NOT pregnant.  There has been a lull here in our blog lately but there's really no reason why.  Our day-to-day lives are fairly boring and ordinary but also busy at times.  We'll be back to blogging sooner rather than later.  First I have to upload lots of photos and then, think of something interesting to say.

Simon's News

For a little while we'd noticed that Simon's right eye was crossing.  My mom had noticed it when she babysat for us mid-December but didn’t think too much of it.  Then Rick and I noticed it becoming more and more frequent.  Simon didn’t seem bothered by it but given my track record with my eyes, I took him to a pediatric ophthalmologist.  He was diagnosed with Accommodative Hyperopia, which means that his right eye crosses to focus, since he’s far-sighted in that eye.  His eye isn’t too bad but enough to wear glasses.

Simon got the glasses three weeks ago.  He’s done well with the glasses so far.  He’s only taken them off a few times.

Simon started wearing a patch on his left eye this week, to strengthen his right eye.  The doctor told me to work up to two hours depending on how he was tolerating it.  He's managed just fine for the full two hours from the beginning and has done so every day since.  

When I picked up his glasses and he got them fitted, I had a bit of a lump in my throat because it reminded me of when I was a kid.  I was also nervous that he wouldn't wear them, or that he would break them.  Then to have to wear a patch too, which I HATED as a kid, that had me anxious too.  Thankfully, our guy is such a little trooper and handles it all so well.

Notice the cross-eye

Cross-eyed again

First day with glasses

First day with the patch

Sleepy Boy

Simon fell asleep one morning with this water bottle in his mouth.  I think he was using it as a pacifier.  I had to basically pry it out of his mouth when I put him in the car.

I've never had a kid fall asleep in the high chair before.  I always prided myself on putting my kids to bed when they were tired to avoid this situation.  I guess he was plum tuckered out during his snack; I think he was getting sick too.

Preschool Begins

Piper started preschool at the beginning of January.  We were a little hesitant at first but found a cheap(ish) preschool through the city's Parks & Recs department.  The city actually runs five preschools and it's great.  

She goes Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 2.  I was a little nervous about her being away from me for that long but she loves it so far. She does have her days when she misses me and is a little despondent at school.  We always go for a treat after school on Tuesdays. She's made good friends and I love her teachers.

Piper wanted to wear her shirt with "pizazz" on her first day.  I had no idea which shirt she was talking about.  Apparently it was this new one that she got from Grandma Ann & Grandpa Rick for Christmas.  

She takes a city of Paris backpack and Hello Kitty lunchbox with her. So fun!

Our little girl is growing up.  Can you believe she will be in kindergarten this fall?!

Christmas Day

This was the first year that we've had Christmas at home with kids.  I kinda liked it.  Piper and Simon woke up around 7:15 but we waited for Jeff and his kids to arrive.  I was even able to brush my teeth and pop some Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in the oven before the bacchanalia began.  We ended up getting into the good stuff around 8:30.  It was sure fun.  

Piper and Simon were spoiled by family, as usual.  We got some great gifts as well.  Rick and I had set a dollar limit on our gifts for each other.  Rick got me a Whirley-Pop with gourmet popping corn, popcorn oil, and popcorn salt.  Oh, and gourmet peanut butter; all the better to make peanut butter popcorn.

Our Christmas tree.  Yes, I know the star is crooked.  It was crooked at the beginning but then the lights in it went out and my attempts to fix it caused the craziness.

Close-up shot.  Piper did an awesome job decorating.  I did the top and she did the bottom.  We used homemade ornaments and a bunch of unbreakable ones I got from Target.

The mantelpiece.  I did this once and then I took it down a few days later and put this up.  I think I'll have to work a little harder next year to get it how I like it.

The haul.  You'll notice the bike hidden by the couch.  Santa brought it for Piper and she wasn't as excited as we hoped she would be.  Simon, on the other hand, kept trying to climb it.  So much so that we had to take it into another room.

Inspecting the loot

These light sabers from Uncle Ryan were a big hit with Andre and Harper.

Got love the black eye, right?  This Tangled doll from Grandma Ann and Grandpa Rich was much appreciated.

Rick eating a cinnamon roll

Andre helping Piper unwrap the basketball hoop we got for her and Simon

That's a lot of stuff.  Merry Christmas!

Simon and I were messing around with the camera on our computer and got this beauty.

Christmas Eve 2010

Yes, I know it's almost February.  But that won't stop me from posting about Christmas.  Below you will find evidence of our Christmas Eve festivities.  Photos are courtesy of my mom.

We spent Christmas Eve with my parents.  Rick's brother Jeff came along with his two boys.  We ate some ham, sang some carols, jingled some bells, and just hung out.  Piper didn't end up falling asleep until nine o'clock because of her excitement about Santa.  I had done most of my wrapping earlier in the week so I was able to hit the sack fairly early too.

Sweet Simon attempting a heist.

Jingle, jingle bells

What a cute bunch of boys!

I love the grin on Piper's face, and the double bell bracelets.

First Haircut

With Simon's hair getting a little unruly, we decided it was time for a haircut.  Here are the before and after shots. It's been a month since these pics and he needs another cut again already.

This is what I get when I ask for a smile.

So handsome.