Mr. (and Miss) Fix-it

 This was soo cute!  Tyler grabbed Megan's doll stroller one evening and brought it to the couch so he could "work on it."  He then went and got his drill and hardhat and proceeded to "fix it."

 He definitely looks like his Daddy in the picture below!

 Megan went and grabbed a screw driver and figured that since it was her stroller, she should probably help fix it too. :)

 lol

 Like a true gentleman, Tyler figured if she was going to help, she needed a hard hat too. :)

 

Love these two! I certainly wonder how this baby will be able to join in to two kiddos so close.  Time will tell I suppose!  Fun times ahead for sure!

Night Terrors?

Here lately, my perfect sleeper (Tyler) has been getting up from his bed after we put him in it.  It doesn't matter if its for nap time or bedtime.  It started about a week and a half ago and just involved him getting up out of his bed and opening his door, then going back into his bed.  Then that led to him getting up and opening Megan's door and getting in to her crib with her.  AHHH!  Dealing with one kid that won't sleep is enough.  I certainly didn't want him getting in Megan's room and waking her up all the time!  Yet, other than turning his doorknob around so that he couldn't get out (locking him in is probably child abuse, I know), I didn't have any ideas as to what to do to keep him out of Megan's room.  I came home from work one night to see Tim had thought of this idea.

A gate over Megan's doorknob.  Ingenious! :)  It certainly kept him out but definitely didn't keep him from getting out of his bed and not sleeping.  Since then, Tyler has started showing us that it seems to be more of a just-want-to-get-out-of-bed-and-play thing.  He has been terrified of the door being closed or a night light not being on.  He has never had a night light before and has never had any fear of the dark. He says "Mommy, I need you in my bed" and whimpers as he says "Mommy, please don't close the door."  It devastates me to think that something scars my little boy! :(  Last night, I got home from work to hear him crying in his room and I went in to see him cowering by his night light.  I laid him back down and asked him what was wrong and he said he was scared.  I asked him of what and he said "the spiders are going to get me!"  I have no idea where he would have gotten this idea.  I prayed with him and reminded him that Jesus would keep him safe and that Mommy and Daddy were just down the hall. He seemed so exhausted that he just about fell asleep while I was stroking his cheek.  I turned on an additional little lamp, closed his door and went back to my room.  About 30 minutes later, he woke up screaming like someone had hurt him.  Of course, I sprinted down the hall and he pretty much met me at his door.  I scooped him up and he grabbed my neck so hard. :_(  I just don't know what more to do for him.  Are these night terrors?  Could their be demonic activity surrounding my sweet boy? Praying and praying and praying, thats for sure.  It just breaks my heart to see him so scared.  Adding to it, I am afraid that since he is now getting up that he might get into something in the middle of the night.  So, needless to say, very little sleep has been had for me over the past couple weeks.  I tell you what though...it certainly has made me spend more time in prayer!

Daddy's Little Helpers

Tyler absolutely loves to help cook and especially loves to help crack the eggs.  Daddy certainly does a better job than me at actually allowing him to do it.  I don't like to fish out all the egg shells. :P  And of course, where Tyler is, there will Megan be also.  So far, no attempts for Megan to crack the eggs.  I can only imagine how that would go!

Tyler and Megan remain inseparable and are getting each other in trouble all the time.  Yesterday while I was making lunch, I heard Tyler say "you can do it Megs!" to peak around the corner to see her wiggling out from under the gate that was keeping them contained in Tyler's room.  Because Tyler has mastered climbing over it, I have to raise it up so he can't climb out anymore.  Unfortunately, to get it to the height that is needed, Megan can still fit underneath.  Sigh.  These two make me annoyed and make me laugh all at the same time!  I wouldn't trade it for the world. :)

Worst Purchase of 2012

I am sad to admit that already in January, I have had my worst purchase of 2012. My mom wanted to buy me a pair of shoes that would help support my back better while I was at work.  I am definitely not a shoe connoisseur so I googled "best back support shoes" and one of the top shoes that popped up was a company called "Gravity Defyers."  I looked at the shoe and saw that it had "Versoshock Trampoline Technology designed to absorb harmful impact, provide added stability, and propel you forward which helps reduce fatigue so you can work-out longer."  Sounded perfect and what made it seem even better was that it had a 30 day money back guarantee, no strings attached.  The biggest negative to me was the price with one pair costing around $130.  So, in order to try to save money, I got a pair of the "refurbished" shoes that were only $89.  They were basically a pair that had been used in the store as a try on pair or something like that, but was still in perfect condition.  I ordered and looked forward to the "new life" they guaranteed to bring.  In the back of my mind, I was a bit concerned about the logo that I saw on their website.  I swore it looked like a sperm but knew that certainly there was no way that a company would use that as their logo and figured the pictures just didn't adequately describe it.

Then I got my shoes in the mail, pulled them out of the box and could not believe my eyes.

It WAS a sperm on the side!  There was no doubting it!  I thought that the company probably made it look like a sperm on purpose but would say that it wasn't if asked and would call it a tadpole or something instead.  Then I researched a little deeper about the company and the shoes (what I should have done in the first place apparently...)  and this is what I found.

Under the google headline of "GRAVITY DEFYER™ LOGO CAUSES PULL OUT – pain free/comfortable footwear line still swimming upstream despite retailer outrage" I read, "Our logo is deliberate. Our customers feel like they are getting the beginning of a new life when they try our shoes. Pain and fatigue are alleviated, energy is restored; they can walk and exercise again. What represents that? The seed of life. We're not embarrassed by it, nor are our customers."

Um, I AM!  I'm sorry, I work at a children's hospital and cannot be walking around with sperm on my shoes! Even if I didn't work at a children's hospital, I don't want sperm on my shoes!! So, needless to say, my next call was to the company asking about a refund.  Of course, it was then that I learned that my refurbished shoes were not refundable for anything more than a store credit.  I browsed the rest of the shoes on their site and there was not a single pair of shoes that would have been suitable for me to wear at work that didn't have sperm on the side.  I'm pretty sure one of the worst sinking feelings ever is learning that you have wasted money on something.  Sure, I could have gotten a pair of their boots or dress shoes but I can't afford to spend that kind of money on a pair of shoes I might wear once or twice a week when I would still need a nice pair for work.

After talking to some guy named Sergio a couple times who then put me on the phone with the manager, it was promised to me that I would get my refund upon their receipt of the returned shoes.  However, I am still waiting to see the credit on my card!  AHHH!

So, needless to say, I am $89 dollars poorer, still needing a pair of shoes, and still in back pain.  Move on over Nike...the sperm shoe is taking over!

The latest Tim project

After getting Megan a kitchen set for Christmas, we suddenly realized that her little set was not near big enough to hold all of the food that she got to go with it.  So, it was Daddy to the rescue!  My OCD could hardly handle the few weeks we had to go without a proper place to store the food but now we have a beautiful little shelf with baskets for her to be able to put her food in.

Next on the list (my list anyway) is a staircase to go to Tyler's top bunk, a picture frame for Megan's first year pictures (I know, a little late...) and another one for this next baby's first year pictures, and then the slide addition to the swing set.  Better get busy, Babe!  Especially before I start nesting... ;)

A watched timer never moves...

...that is at least according to a certain 2 year old boy! :)  Tyler ate a ridiculous helping of spaghetti, green beans, and garlic bread tonight for dinner so as a means of a reward, we offered him a brownie after dinner.  The only catch was (because of his enormous belly) he had to wait 30 minutes to eat it.  He definitely understands what a timer is and how he has to wait till it goes off to be able to get down from the table, get up from time out, or in this case, eat his brownie.  What he doesn't understand is how long 30 minutes is! :)  So, I put the timer on the refrigerator so he could watch it count down.  He watched that timer for just about all of the 30 minutes!

 28 minutes left

 27...

 26...

 25...

 You get the idea. :)  

But at last, the timer did ring!!

 And the smiles on his face were priceless. :)

Peanut butter frosted brownie...I think this boy will sleep well tonight! ;)

There's Hope!

There's hope after all!  I've been trying to encourage Megan to be as girly as I know how but it seems like all my attempts make her want to play with Tyler's trucks and tools even more.  Just in the course of the past few days, she has really started taking to her dolls and is playing with her little kitchen set even more.  Yay!  This was her Friday morning.  Pink pj's, pink blankie that she was dragging around the house, her little doll carried as sweetly as she knows how, and toy kitchen spoon. :)

I have such a long way to go to become the woman that God wants me to be and it TERRIFIES me that Megan has me as her example to follow as to what a godly woman should be like.  I pray that God uses my attempts to help nurture and grow her into the woman that He desires for her to be.

Little Prayer Peeker

Megan is seriously so cute at the table when we pray.  She will fold her hands and bow her head so sweet and then enthusiastically yell "nah nah!" which is "Amen" when we are finished.  I tried so hard to get a picture of her doing it the other day but of course, with the camera out, she kept wanting to peek.

Guess I'll just have to wait until Tim is home sometime and then set the camera out with the remote so I can be sure to capture it!

Nothing Warms My Heart...

...like hearing Tyler quoting the scripture we have been learning.  Oh how I pray he takes this to heart at an early age and learns what it means and that Jesus loves him!

SnOOOw Fun!

Though we do have some fresh snow now, these are actually some pictures of some snow we got last week. The kids and I were both thankful that Daddy was home and was able to help with some of the grunt work. ;)  The kids, of course, had a blast as you can tell in the pictures.  I can't wait till we get enough snow to actually make a snow man.  As of right now, we have only had a max of 1 1/2 inches at a time and we are currently getting ice accumulation on top of that.  Anyway, enjoy these pictures of our winter fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm not sure if its a good thing or a bad thing, but I just had to teach Tyler that he could try and eat the snow!

 

 Faster Daddy!

 

 

 

 

 

 As you can see from the circular marks in the snow, Tim was spinning Tyler in the saucer and he was SOO dizzy!  I wish I would have had my video camera out!  Just another reason why I need to get that Nikon D7000 that I want. ;) It can take pictures AND do videos. 

 

Its so funny how much Tyler loves to be dizzy like this.  He would have asked to do it again and again.  We seriously need to take him to one of the egg scrambler rides.

Guinea Pigs

I had my first photography session of the new year last Saturday and needed some guinea pigs to practice my lighting since I am not near as comfortable with indoor photography.  I had the perfect two subjects! :)  Couldn't resist posting this one!

They almost look sweet don't they. ;)

Warm Winter Play Day!!!

 Up until a few days ago, we were still having fairly warm weather and sunny days too!  Definitely was confusing because it made us all feel like spring was right around the corner!  Oh well, we'll take it as we get it! :)  I knew that last Tuesday was going to be one of the last warm days we were going to have so I had a friend Hope and her beautiful 2 year old daughter, Sophie, come over and have an outside play date.

 Tyler and Sophie had an absolute blast getting completely and utterly filthy.  They played in dirt, sticks, mud, leaves, and even the ash pile before we got to them!

 Megan was running a little slow and it was just a few hours later that her temperature spiked.  But she had fun too!

 I was bummed I didn't get many pictures and the ones I did get were blurry, but Sophie is just so cute, I had to post this one! :)

I definitely enjoyed the adult interaction too.  Thanks for coming over, Hope!  We need to do it again soon, snow or no snow! :)

Megan's First Dilly bar

Megan enjoyed her first dilly bar a few days ago.  They come free with kids meals at Dairy Queen and one Sunday that I had to work, Tim took the kids there for lunch.  He saved their dilly bars though until I was home.  Both of our kids are weird and don't particularly care for ice cream.  Megan always makes the funniest faces. :)

 

 Must be extra cold on that chipped tooth!

 

 The best part is that the kids each take like two bites and then they are done and Tim and I get to finish them! :)

Tyler's (and Megan's) recliner

My parents got this really cute recliner for Tyler for Christmas.  At first, I was overwhelmed with the gift, wondering where in the world we were going to put it, but then I set up our little kids reading wall and it fits perfectly.  Also, this week, Megan confirmed that it was the perfect place to rest while getting better from being sick.  Megan has had too many ear infections to count but this past one was probably her worst yet.  Fevers of 103-105 for 3 days straight, even with motrin and tylenol given around the clock and a bulging and puss filled ear drum.  After getting her up from her nap one day after giving motrin only a few hours prior (it should last for 6-8 hours) and her temp was still 105, I have to admit, made me a bit nervous.  So, she was stripped and given some cold fluids to drink and "encouraged" to take it easy for awhile.  Even though she will run around and laugh and play with a fever, I think 105 did her in and this was how we found her.

Poor baby!  So glad she is on the mend now and we have enjoyed some quiet, blissful nights the past few nights. :)  I'm starting to wonder if there is truth to the old wives tale about keeping ears covered in the winter time to prevent ear infections because she hadn't had a cough, or runny nose or anything.  Hmm...

Half way there!

This week marked week 20 in our miracle #3's life!  Today we got to see the baby and all the sweet parts!  Oh how I can't WAIT to kiss that perfect little nose!

Can't decide whether the profile looks more like Tyler or Megan...what do you think?

Tyler

 Megan

This shot is never one of my favorites, but the tech pretty much only gave us ones like this.

 

 kissable little toes!

 The miracle of life will never cease to amaze me and we were so thankful to get a healthy report from the doctor today.  Baby Schramm #3 is growing just as he/she should and according to the doc does not have any type of genetic disorder like we were originally concerned about.  Praise the Lord!  We are THRILLED with the addition that God has given us!  I can't wait for you all to see what God has given us for our family of FIVE!  Until May, you will just have to wait and find out but be sure to cast your vote on the right side of the page.  

Enjoy these little insights from Tyler as to how this baby is going to get out of Mommy's belly.

A few days ago as I was getting Tyler up in the morning, I said, "Hey Buddy, guess what?! In a couple days, we are going to get to see the baby in Mommy's belly!"  To which he didn't hesitate at all and said "And the baby will scratch and scratch and scratch to get out!"

As Tim was putting Tyler to bed last night, he told him, "Tyler, in the morning, we get to go with Mommy to the doctor and the doctor is going to use a special machine to be able to see the baby in Mommy's belly!" Again, without hesitation, Tyler said, "I know!  I will bring my tools and I will help them get the baby out!"

I can tell you one thing, when this baby does make his/her appearance, Tyler isn't helping! :)

Oh, and just so you all know, Tyler was there with as at the ultrasound today and we didn't keep any news from him.  However, he will say that he is having both a brother and a sister so if you ask and he says one or the other, just know that it may, or may not be right.  Its about a 50/50 :)