Halloween and Walking

Happy Halloween!

Riley's favorite thing in the whole wide world right now is Scooby Doo. So when he found out that people put pretend monsters and ghosts in their yard, just like the monsters and ghosts on Scooby Doo, and that he could wear a costume? He was more than excited about Halloween. And what did he want to dress up as? You guessed it. Scooby Doo. He was all about being Buzz Lightyear until we walked down the next isle and he saw Scooby Doo. It was all over from there (thanks Target). The costume was more than I ever wanted to pay for a Halloween costume, but in the end, I gave in. He put on the costume when wegot home and wore it all day long...until he peed in it...that was the end of playing in it. After that, Scooby Doo went with him everywhere he went around the house, head slung over Riley's shoulder so he could talk to it while he walked, body hanging down his back. We got our money's worth out of it in about 2 days. When Halloween finally came, Riley was beside himself. We went Trick or Treating to a few houses on our street that I knew were on the up and up (if you know anything about our neighborhood, you'll understand) and they got loads of candy from just 6 or so houses.

I say they...oh yes, Emily went too...as if you could've stopped her...the girl is as stubborn as both Dave and I...put together! I was given a little Snow White costume before Emily was born and a few weeks ago I brought it out to try it on her. Her eyes lit up. I guess she likes pretty things... *grin* she wore it around the house and was VERY upset when I took it off her. So, she dressed up too, and had her little pumpkin, which she LOVED, and went to the houses. She figured out right away how to takea candy from the offered bowl and put it in her pumpkin, which she swung happily by her side to the next house...until she got a sucker. Then she was done. I mean, who needs chocolate when you have a sucker? That's her opinion anyway. Although, it changed a bit I think, after she had her first 3 musketeers...

(Practicing our Trick or Treating)

In other news, and much more monumental-Emily finally started walking! 2 weeks ago, she decided that she was going to crawl using her hands and knees (she used her knees and forearms previously)and then, about 6 days ago, she finally decided to walk. We are convinced she could've walked ages ago BUT she had to decide it for herself. She is now a much happier baby and her brother is not. What a pain to have a little sister always coming in your room! When she comes to the threshold of his room, he pushes her over and makes her fall down and then slam his bedroom door in her face. I know, I know, we're working on it. Emily's favorite thing to do since walking is to pick up random things around the house and take them somewhere else. Such fun! *grin*

Riley O

The worst 14 hours of my entire life

times 10

brought you into our world

you cried all the time

and we wondered what we had got

ourselves into

then you smiled

and laughed

and shake-a shake-a

and the rest didn't matter

You're quite crazy

and we love it

you're words

the faces you make

your attitude

a challenge

and a joy

two was so much fun

I can't wait for three

and the happiness you bring to our lives

times 10!

Emily

I never thought I could smile at 2am

until you smiled at me

You have been singing since you were 6 months old

you love to dance

Steve's songs are your favorite

you make the funniest faces

and do the funniest things

you light up my life in more ways than one

you're so special

little Emily

we sure love you!

Finally!

It seems like it's been forever since i wrote a blog. The first to do would be to tell you about the nasty men who broke into our house and stole our stuff. I left the house for one hour to have lunch with dave and when I returned, I found stuff missing. It could have been a lot worse and I'm thankful it wasn't, but it still really stunk. They stole our computers, cameras and video camera which, along with the many programs dave had on them, held 80% of our pictures and 90% of our videos, which are now gone forever. The essentials are online so at least we have that, but we'll never again see 6 month old Riley doing the shake it shake it dance or other such fun litte quirky things and that makes me sad whenever I think about it. BUT we're moving on. Just last week, we finally finished up most of the insurance junk and that is a relief.
Lots of little things have happened since we lost our computer, but it's late. I'll write more blogs soon on the little things and the kids are having birthdays in just a short week so they'll be some big things too!

So happy to be back! :)

The Joys of Having Two kids

I admit I have been waiting for this moment

ever since we had another child

Riley making Emily laugh

Makes me smile every time I watch it

My Baby Girl

Look who finally learned how to sit up

just last month

And army crawl last week

And who now thinks she can do

everything

just like her big brother

The Pacifier

It has been a couple months since Riley gave up his pacifier (with quite a fight) but I just HAVE to write a blog about it since it was so monumental for him.

For a moment

pretend it is March

and follow Riley on a journey

through his first 2 1/2 years of life

sharing every sleeping moment

with his absolutely favorite thing

in the whole wide world

This adventure began when Riley was just a baby.

A relationship designed by God (or maybe mom)

From that very first week of life

Riley decided that his pacifier was to be

his best friend.

But his mom only let him have it in his bed

Soon, Riley's bear blanket joined the best friend club

pacifier and bear were inseperable

Pacifier was there for Riley

when he broke his leg

When he pretended to sleep

When he didn't want Christmas to end

When Emily was born

Mom and Dad got a bit

...relaxed about the pacifier

and Riley took advantage

soon he got it on the couch

While he watched cartoons

While reading books

But the funniest thing he ever did

with his pacifier

was put two of them in his mouth

at the same time

But then Mom said that he was a big boy

and didn't need a pacifier any more

but he wanted it anyway

He tried very hard to keep it

but Mom started cutting it short

and after 3 whole weeks

he didn't really want it anymore

who would?

Now he's a big boy

and he doesn't need his pacifier

any more

Unless he finds one that mom hid

Our Itty Bitty plus a pound

Emily's doctor appointment was last week. Both Dave and Debbi had commented that Emily was looking a bit chubbier so I really wasn't worried. After a couple minutes of fuss over wether to weigh her on the regular scale or the digital scale, we put her on the regular one. The doctor let out an audible gasp and stared at Emily in wonder. She had gained 14 ounces-an ounce per day. The doctor said that it was amazing and she couldn't believe it-they had hoped for maybe a third of that. So our Itty Bitty is now 7 months old and weighs 13 pounds 8 ounces-still small but everyone is happy now. I mentally muttered, "of course she gained weight! We're shoveling food down her throat like she may never get a chance to eat again!"

Next, came MY homework check. When Emily was two weeks old, she hadn't gained back her birth weight yet, so they checked my milk to see how many calories per ounce I was producing. I came in at 40 calories-a record high, and the only record I have ever had by the way. Last appointment, they checked my milk again. I came in at 16 calories per ounce. There goes the record. I was told to eat more and feed her more. Last week, I was checked again and came in at 32 calories per ounce. I was told to keep up the good work and enjoy the food. I'll enjoy the food alright, what I don't enjoy is the three pounds I gained in the last two weeks that I'll never get rid of!

Emily is doing great and loves to eat. What she wants most in life, is to have whatever food is on mom and dad's plate. Since she doesn't chew very well yet, she's gonna have to wait. Which makes her, daily, very annoyed. :)

My Itty Bitty

Emily had her six month checkup on Monday. To everyone's surprise, she only gained about half a pound in the last two months. The doctor wasn't concerned, but she DID think that she should've gained more. Babies usually double their birth weight by 6 months. Emily was born at just over 9 pounds so she should weigh about 18 pounds right now. She weighed in at 12 pounds 10 ounces. It's weird to think that she has only gained about 3 and a half pounds since she was born. She is in the 3rd percentile in weight and the 23rd in height. So....she's my itty bitty. We're not really worried, and neither is the doctor-she is meeting all of her developmental benchmarks and is incredibly aware of the world and alert. I HAVE been assigned some homework though. Emily will go back to the doctor in two weeks for a weigh in. She is to eat 3 meals of solid food a day and eat until she refuses to eat another bite. I also have to breastfeed her until she refuses to take it when I offer. (she had been eating two meals a day and breastfeeding until she was no longer interested) I have also been instructed to add more calories to my diet-not a problem! In two weeks we'll weigh her again and if she has gained enough weight ( a few ounces I think) then they will be happy.

Dave and I are already happy with her.

She is such a joy.

We don't care if she's itty bitty!

It runs in the family.

Tahoe

Last month was our 3rd anniversary and as is becoming tradition, we spent the weekend at Tahoe to celebrate. Our anniversary weekend always consists of doing absolutely nothing which is really quite nice. Many times last weekend, I found myself comparing this anniversary to our first, when Riley was exactly the same age as Emily is this year. Boy was life different. Our baby boy had just turned 5 months old. He was sleeping through the night-12 hours-and we had figured out how to take care of him. We felt like we could conquer the world! This year, we just felt tired. Don't get me wrong-we are very happy. Very happy, and very tired. Anyways, here are some pictures from this year at the lake and some from our first anniversary too.

Emily and the Skunk

Once upon a time

there was a pretty pretty princess

who was minding her own business

eating her breakfast

when suddenly

she heard something she had never heard before

a song

she paused

she looked for the source of the song

but could not find it

so she went back to eating

after she finished

she sat up

and in front of her was a large skunk

what on earth is that?

she thought to herself

and then it started singing

it was singing that song

she grabbed for it

i want that!

i want that now!

wait....i dont really like this thing

or do i?

hmmm what else is there to do...

This Morning

7am

Me: Good Morning Riley!

Riley: Good Morning Momma! Nice to meet you!

7:30am

As I'm looking under the bathroom sink for something, I pull out an old

makeup bag. Riley picks it up and walks out of the bathroom with it. Shouts

from the bedroom.

Riley: Momma! I don't know where my backpack is. Do you know where my backpack is?

Me: It's in your closet

Riley:Oh, Ok!

Riley finds me in the kitchen.

Riley:I can't do it all by self me! Can you help me?

(zip the backpack. the makeup bag is inside)

I hold the backpack so he can zip it up

Riley: Thank you! Can you help me put it on?

I help him put it on his back

Riley: I'm ready for school now. I'm going to school.

I have no idea where all this is coming from. I'm just along for the ride at this point.

Riley walks to the front door.

Riley: Mom, can you open the door for me?

I do.

As the door opens, the sun hits Riley in the face.

Riley: The Sun! Sunny sunny sunny! (pause) Mom, I need a hat.

Let me pause at this point and explain that it has been cloudy and cold here

for the last week so we have told him he can't go outside to play until the sun comes out.

Hence his excitement over seeing the sun.

Riley looks outside again, puts his foot out to take a step. Pauses. Puts his foot back inside

Riley:Mom! But I don't have shoes on!

Me:Well, let's go get your shoes and hat on.

We do.

Back to the front door.

Riley:Mom, I need my squirt gun!

(Riley found dave's old squirt gun yesterday and

thinks it's pretty much the best thing ever made)

We find his squirt gun and refill it with water. To the door again.

This time we make it outside.

Riley walks down the sidewalk a bit and squirts his gun.

6 or 7 minutes later

Riley: Momma, my fingers are cold! (In a shaky voice)

I want to go inside now.

I'm not going to school anymore.

Building Pictures

Sorry this took so long. Here are pictures of the old building and the new building.

Old Building is on the left. This is the front office and Dave's office.

New Building is on the right. This is the front office. The Front desk and Debbi's office are behind the camera. The hall has 4 more offices, a bathroom and a break room. There is also a very large art room at the end of the hall.

Old Building

Shop Area

New Building

Shop Area

Sorting

On Sunday

this boy

took all of the wood blocks out of this bucket

And put them all

(and as many as he could from the ground)

into this garbage can

Until it was as full as it could be

And was SOOO proud of himself!

Developments

These past two days have been big ones in the Riley/Emily department.

First Emily

The girl is growing up and I'm not too happy about it! I have decided that my favorite Emily age is 2 and 3 months. This fourth month is just too much! :) She always wants to be up up up. No more laying down for her! Luckily, we have a roundabout and a doorway jumper that she can be in and I can get something done while she is content. She has also perfected rolling over. THIS has been more of an issue than I ever thought was possible. Here's why. She sleeps on her stomach. I know, she's not supposed too, but she sleeps better that way and I was desperate. Riley was a back sleeper so I didn't encounter this with him-she scoots herself out of her blankets and rolls over when she is supposed to be going to sleep! So I put her in her bed, awake but drowsy, cover her up, and leave the room. About 10 seconds later, I hear this screeching (another new development this past week-her way of talking). When I go into her room, this is what I find.

It's playtime right?

In Riley news...

Riley has always been a scaredy cat. He walked late because he was worried about falling down and he wont do anything remotely intimidating to him which is just about everything. I really can't blame him, he is a total cluts. He falls at least once every day. Today we went to the park. He decided he wanted to climb up the bars that are too big for him and go down the curly slide he had never been on before and he wanted to do it, "all byself me!" And he did! It may not seem like much to you, but it was a monumental day in the Olsen household.

Of course

I have to share the moment

Craziness

I really have no excuse for not writing a blog before this. Things have been crazy in our little world these last two months, but they really haven't been that different for me and the kids

.

So this blog is about Dave

and the business

if you only read our blog to hear about the kids

then you should stop here

because no kids are included

:)

(I'll write about them soon!)

For those of you who read this blog and don't know what we do-We have a screenprinting business. All the craziness in our life right now has been because of this.

Let me explain...

Last year, we decided that we wanted to grow the business. We knew it would take a lot of work (meaning Dave working a lot and me alone with the kids a lot) but we agreed that it was the path we wanted to take. We picked up a couple big clients and practically doubled our business (and employees). We also decided (with my in-laws) to merge their business with ours. They do embroidery. The building we were in was too small, to the point where we actually rented space in two OTHER buildings in order to operate well. Our lease in all three buildings were up at the end of December or the end of January and we wanted to find space that was big enough to hold us, and embroidery-with a merge date of 1-1-10, with room to spare. We found a space last year, but it was just an empty shell of a building. Dave spent last year organizing this transition and designing the entire layout of the new building-from where he wanted the office walls built to where the outlet plugs would go to the electrical, gas and air for each machine and dryer-every single detail. They started construction on the inside of the new building last October and basically finished it 3 weeks ago. We started moving into the building the last week of December. By the end of this month Dave will have moved

8 Computers-with set up

7 screenprinting machines

6 embroidery machines

5 offices

4 dryers

3 washout sinks

2 exposure units

and received and trained on 1 new machine

not counting the

almost 100 screens and tubs of ink

cords

printing supplies

tables

chairs

desks

bookcases

cleaning chemicals

product to be printed

refrigerators

microwaves

and much much more

And don't forget...

change of address forms

emails to clients about the move

phone line transfers

parking arrangements

water leaks

annoyed clients

broken printers

breaking machines

water transfer

Garbage pickup transfer

Long Beach convention

And that is JUST the BEGINNING

Think he's a little busy?

We have to be out of all our buildings in the next couple weeks and then it will be down to smoothing out all the wrinkles that come with moving and merging. A couple more months and things should calm down. In the mean time, the kids and I go to work as much as possible so we can see Dad often. With two parents, two grandparents, and a WHOLE LOT of space, we don't get in the way anymore.

Dave's promised me a weekend away for our anniversary in March. With him.

SO THAT'S WHAT 'S GOING ON IN OUR LITTLE WORLD

pictures soon to follow

Ems

Emily has an adorable laugh and a beautiful smile. I have had a huge problem catching them on camera or film due to the fact that she has to see my face in order to show them off and when it is hidden behind a camera, she is a no-go. She also has to be in just the right mood to want to laugh, which is never when Dave can man the video camera. So I did what any desperate mom would do. I held up my phone, clicked the video camera button, held it up next to my face, found a silly phrase that happened to make her laugh, and went for it.

She looks like a butterball

She is blowing spit bubbles

Her chin is shiny with her new found talent

The camera is often not on her

The camera is often only showing half of her

The lighting is inconsistant

you might get motion sickness as you watch it

Really, it's a terrible video

But it's all I have

She's just too cute to not share it

Dave's gonna kill me when he finds out I did

Here you go...