On: Our modem! Rob bought a new one today, spending twice as much as we anticipated, but it was "needed." I guess we're paying for the conveinience of not going to MBBC every day to check our mail.
OFF: Today's Tupperware party. I had only one person show up in two hours time. I know that I have some orders coming in, but it was a little disheartening to pack up the kids and ship them out with Rob for 2 1/2 hours, only to have most of the time to myself to pick at the huge amount of snacks I made (anybody want brownies and punch) and play Spider Solitaire. The kids were pretty good for Rob, and he even took them to McDonald's for their lunchtime. Brave man.
Other news: We have about a foot or so of snow and we're getting more this week. Yipee!!! I just love the snow! It makes everything look so beautiful and peaceful, especially just after it has fallen but before people shovel. I will admit that I'm glad it's finals and Rob will have the time to shovel it properly. He did try to go out there on Saturday morning and clean it off better, but it had frozen and he couldn't get it to do much. We need to buy some sand or something. I'd go out there and shovel it myself, but Rob won't let me. He wouldn't let me last year b/c it's not a girl job (we have very strong opinions on what are girl jobs and boy jobs around here....which is a pretty funny subject and source for playful arguments between us) and he won't let me this year b/c I'm pregnant. (I'm telling you what, though...if we had a lawn mower, I'd be out there next summer! I love mowing lawns...especially barefoot!)
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
An Update
Our modem is actually working right now, so I'll leave a quick update. We're getting a new one on Saturday, so everything should go back to normal. It's weird how disconnected we've felt from something that is, quite frankly, completely unnecessary. (I'm also a cell-phone hater...don't get me started on that one.)
We've had lots of snow in the past few days, starting on Saturday. We got six or so inches, which partially melted on Sunday, then the slush turned to ice by Monday morning. Rob did not get out to shovel the slush on Sunday, so our sidewalk was a sheet of ice for a couple of days. Then we got another five inches or so on Tuesday night (that covered the ice and made it safe to walk.) We're getting some more right now.....it's just a Wisconsin winter wonderland!! The boys tried to help Daddy shovel on Saturday, but it was sleeting, so Matthew complained that his face hurt and Ben wouldn't leave the porch (smart kiddo.)
Rob's been buried in papers this week. He's had two due each day. He has managed to keep the late one's down to two (one that was due in October which he can acutally still turn in and one for the class he doesn't like very much.) He'll get those done soon and then have finals to study for next week. He's very exhausted right now and has been shaking and not thinking clearly from the lack of sleep. I drove him to school and work today, so that helped.
I had two cookie exchanges this week, so we have plenty of goodies at our house. I need to post Rachael's recipe for her chocolate galaxy cookies--they are to die for!!! I find it humorous that I drove in snow storms either to or from both gatherings. Anything for homemade cookies!!
We had another Second Harvest at Maranatha this week and got lots of staple items. We also got some other things that turned out to be VERY expired, so those went out with the trash. Most expiration dates are not really when the items expire, but these things were WAY past their prime. Oh well, at least most of what we got was usuable and you really can't look a gift horse in the mouth.
We do have a big praise--Rob got another grant and since he didn't need the money this semester, we have taken it out and are able to pay a bunch of bills, including some medical bills for my trip to the ER back in October. Praise the Lord!!
I'll put up another post on Saturday after our modem is switched. Just wanted to let y'all know we're still alive!
We've had lots of snow in the past few days, starting on Saturday. We got six or so inches, which partially melted on Sunday, then the slush turned to ice by Monday morning. Rob did not get out to shovel the slush on Sunday, so our sidewalk was a sheet of ice for a couple of days. Then we got another five inches or so on Tuesday night (that covered the ice and made it safe to walk.) We're getting some more right now.....it's just a Wisconsin winter wonderland!! The boys tried to help Daddy shovel on Saturday, but it was sleeting, so Matthew complained that his face hurt and Ben wouldn't leave the porch (smart kiddo.)
Rob's been buried in papers this week. He's had two due each day. He has managed to keep the late one's down to two (one that was due in October which he can acutally still turn in and one for the class he doesn't like very much.) He'll get those done soon and then have finals to study for next week. He's very exhausted right now and has been shaking and not thinking clearly from the lack of sleep. I drove him to school and work today, so that helped.
I had two cookie exchanges this week, so we have plenty of goodies at our house. I need to post Rachael's recipe for her chocolate galaxy cookies--they are to die for!!! I find it humorous that I drove in snow storms either to or from both gatherings. Anything for homemade cookies!!
We had another Second Harvest at Maranatha this week and got lots of staple items. We also got some other things that turned out to be VERY expired, so those went out with the trash. Most expiration dates are not really when the items expire, but these things were WAY past their prime. Oh well, at least most of what we got was usuable and you really can't look a gift horse in the mouth.
We do have a big praise--Rob got another grant and since he didn't need the money this semester, we have taken it out and are able to pay a bunch of bills, including some medical bills for my trip to the ER back in October. Praise the Lord!!
I'll put up another post on Saturday after our modem is switched. Just wanted to let y'all know we're still alive!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Modem Mayhem
We are experiencing technical difficulties....please stand by......our modem died the other day, so we have no internet access at home right now. I'm typing from the computer lab at MBBC (thanks, Rach, for keeping the kids a little longer today). We're hoping to have a new modem soon, but in the meantime, if you need to contact us by e-mail, use Rob's school address. Or call us...I like to hear adult voices!!
I'm having a Tupperware open house this weekend, so if you're interested in buying anything, go in through my website and e-mail me using my Tupperware address (which is the contact on my personal website.) It's a mystery hostess thing, so you could win the chance to be the hostess (or some other fabulous Tupperware prizes!!)
And that is all. I'm very tired, so I might fall asleep typing..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I'm having a Tupperware open house this weekend, so if you're interested in buying anything, go in through my website and e-mail me using my Tupperware address (which is the contact on my personal website.) It's a mystery hostess thing, so you could win the chance to be the hostess (or some other fabulous Tupperware prizes!!)
And that is all. I'm very tired, so I might fall asleep typing..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Gotcher Nose???
When Matthew was around Ben's age (20 months or so), we had a grand time playing that great game, "Gotcher nose." You know the game I'm talking about...you grab the child's nose and run around while they chase you, laughing hysterically. Then you place the nose on their elbow or something. Matthew and I still enjoy that great game, only it's gotten more elaborate.
Well, I tried to play that with Ben today, but did not get quite the same response. We were sitting on the couch and I reached over, grabbed his nose and said, "Gotcher nose!" He furrowed his brow, frowned, stood up, and grabbed my nose. Then he sat back down, triumphant, and continued reading his book, all as if to say, "Two can play at that game!"
Well, I tried to play that with Ben today, but did not get quite the same response. We were sitting on the couch and I reached over, grabbed his nose and said, "Gotcher nose!" He furrowed his brow, frowned, stood up, and grabbed my nose. Then he sat back down, triumphant, and continued reading his book, all as if to say, "Two can play at that game!"
Sunday, November 25, 2007
What I Did On My Thanksgiving Vacation
Wow. It's over. Thanksgiving Break is actually over. We had anticipated this weekend for quite awhile, and it's over. It was good, but not as good as expected. It was fun, but we're all exhausted and ready to get back into our routine.
We took off on Wednesday for Illinois after Rob got off work at 2pm. For once, we actually left at the time I wanted to leave! Usually it takes a half-hour longer, but this time we were on the road by 2:30pm. Just as we were leaving Watertown, it started to snow, then quickly turned into rain. And the rain, rain, rain came down, down down...thankfully not in rushing, rising rivlets. It was tolerable and we didn't have to pull off the road once. It did take us an hour longer because we crawled around Rockford on I-90/I-39. I'm guessing it was extra traffic/two small accidents that caused the back-up. Then we crawled over the bridge near Ottawa since only one lane was open. We were very ready to stop at my parents' home for supper that night!
The kids had fun playing with my folks that evening and the next morning. We took off after breakfast (turkey bacon--ha-ha!) and went over to Rob's side in Normal. Yes, my husband is from Normal. Make all the jokes you want. We made mashed potatoes, Rob made gravy and carved the turkey breast, and brought the grandkids for entertainment. We ate over at his grandparent's home with 10 adults and the two boys in attendance. We had a wonderful time, but didn't get to visit as long as we would have liked to with everyone. That just seems to happen with large family gatherings.
We did have a wonderful time visiting with Rob's brother, Andy. The kids just love their Uncle Andy, who always comes over when we visit. He wags them around and wrestles and in general roughs them up pretty good when he comes over. He's going to be a full-fledged Daddy in the next two weeks (the sooner, the better, Melissa??) so he needs the practice. Rob and I both enjoy sitting and talking with Andy. Again, I'd just like to say that it is so nice to be nearer to family and to SEE people, not just talk over the phone!!
Oh, one funny thing we saw on Thursday: We went to Meijer's to find a toy for MJ (didn't get it) and on the way back, we looked over at Best Buy and saw a line of about 30-50 people (with tents and sleeping bags) already lined up for the opening on Friday morning. We laughed about it, declaring them crazy, then found out that Rob's other brother (Dan) and his wife had actually waited outside a Circuit City like that! I suppose we might have been crazy enough to do that in our pre-kid years, too. Enjoy that computer Dan...you earned it!!
Rob and I packed up and took off on Friday morning, without the kids. They were invited to stay for another day to spend more time with their grandparents and to get to see Uncle Dan and Aunt Kim. We had a nice drive home, stopping for lunch at a Cracker Barrel. You just can't beat good, southern cooking at low prices (right, Mom?) Rob and I had huge lists to accomplish, but didn't get much done simply because we didn't know where to start! He did get two papers completed and I got some Tupperware stuff taken care of along with a bit of housework, but it just didn't seem like we had enough time. I'm also getting over a headcold, so that didn't help my drive to work at all!
The kids had a great time with their grandparents. They went to the Make-A-Mess Fun Center on Friday. It has a ball pit (gasp!), slides, an inflatible obstacle course, fishing game, dress up, sand area, painting, you name it! They had a blast, but I think Matthew has talked more about Uncle Dan's puppy, Charlie. Little boys and puppies just belong together. (As for me, keep the dog and give me a bird anyday.) The kiddos came home Saturday afternoon and were rather tired, but very happy. They pleaded with Grandma to stay, and as Grandma and Grandpa were pulling out of the drive, Matthew said in a sad voice, "Good-bye, Grandma. I love you!"
We let them rip around the house for a few hours, then we all bundled up tight and walked the few blocks to Main Street to watch the "Parade of Lights." Matthew is now a seasoned parade-goer, so it took no prompting to get him to run out in the street to collect candy, stuffed animals, glow sticks, and coffee packets. They had fun, but eventually Benjamin wanted to run out, too. We didn't let him, but Rob did hold him for a bit. It was very fun, but very cold, so we went home to have chili for supper and warm up.
It was a good weekend overall, so I guess we really can't complain. I think I just had too many high hopes about my childless day....the list was too long to complete! Oh well....why do today what you can put off until tomorrow, right???
Happy Belated Thanksgiving from the Litwillers!!
We took off on Wednesday for Illinois after Rob got off work at 2pm. For once, we actually left at the time I wanted to leave! Usually it takes a half-hour longer, but this time we were on the road by 2:30pm. Just as we were leaving Watertown, it started to snow, then quickly turned into rain. And the rain, rain, rain came down, down down...thankfully not in rushing, rising rivlets. It was tolerable and we didn't have to pull off the road once. It did take us an hour longer because we crawled around Rockford on I-90/I-39. I'm guessing it was extra traffic/two small accidents that caused the back-up. Then we crawled over the bridge near Ottawa since only one lane was open. We were very ready to stop at my parents' home for supper that night!
The kids had fun playing with my folks that evening and the next morning. We took off after breakfast (turkey bacon--ha-ha!) and went over to Rob's side in Normal. Yes, my husband is from Normal. Make all the jokes you want. We made mashed potatoes, Rob made gravy and carved the turkey breast, and brought the grandkids for entertainment. We ate over at his grandparent's home with 10 adults and the two boys in attendance. We had a wonderful time, but didn't get to visit as long as we would have liked to with everyone. That just seems to happen with large family gatherings.
We did have a wonderful time visiting with Rob's brother, Andy. The kids just love their Uncle Andy, who always comes over when we visit. He wags them around and wrestles and in general roughs them up pretty good when he comes over. He's going to be a full-fledged Daddy in the next two weeks (the sooner, the better, Melissa??) so he needs the practice. Rob and I both enjoy sitting and talking with Andy. Again, I'd just like to say that it is so nice to be nearer to family and to SEE people, not just talk over the phone!!
Oh, one funny thing we saw on Thursday: We went to Meijer's to find a toy for MJ (didn't get it) and on the way back, we looked over at Best Buy and saw a line of about 30-50 people (with tents and sleeping bags) already lined up for the opening on Friday morning. We laughed about it, declaring them crazy, then found out that Rob's other brother (Dan) and his wife had actually waited outside a Circuit City like that! I suppose we might have been crazy enough to do that in our pre-kid years, too. Enjoy that computer Dan...you earned it!!
Rob and I packed up and took off on Friday morning, without the kids. They were invited to stay for another day to spend more time with their grandparents and to get to see Uncle Dan and Aunt Kim. We had a nice drive home, stopping for lunch at a Cracker Barrel. You just can't beat good, southern cooking at low prices (right, Mom?) Rob and I had huge lists to accomplish, but didn't get much done simply because we didn't know where to start! He did get two papers completed and I got some Tupperware stuff taken care of along with a bit of housework, but it just didn't seem like we had enough time. I'm also getting over a headcold, so that didn't help my drive to work at all!
The kids had a great time with their grandparents. They went to the Make-A-Mess Fun Center on Friday. It has a ball pit (gasp!), slides, an inflatible obstacle course, fishing game, dress up, sand area, painting, you name it! They had a blast, but I think Matthew has talked more about Uncle Dan's puppy, Charlie. Little boys and puppies just belong together. (As for me, keep the dog and give me a bird anyday.) The kiddos came home Saturday afternoon and were rather tired, but very happy. They pleaded with Grandma to stay, and as Grandma and Grandpa were pulling out of the drive, Matthew said in a sad voice, "Good-bye, Grandma. I love you!"
We let them rip around the house for a few hours, then we all bundled up tight and walked the few blocks to Main Street to watch the "Parade of Lights." Matthew is now a seasoned parade-goer, so it took no prompting to get him to run out in the street to collect candy, stuffed animals, glow sticks, and coffee packets. They had fun, but eventually Benjamin wanted to run out, too. We didn't let him, but Rob did hold him for a bit. It was very fun, but very cold, so we went home to have chili for supper and warm up.
It was a good weekend overall, so I guess we really can't complain. I think I just had too many high hopes about my childless day....the list was too long to complete! Oh well....why do today what you can put off until tomorrow, right???
Happy Belated Thanksgiving from the Litwillers!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Glamour Shots
Well, Anna had her first model photos taken today. One picture is of her facing the camera, the other is of her profile. Pretty amusing to get two pics that way!
I had another ultrasound today, just to check and be sure that Anna's heart is fine. The doctor couldn't fully see everything at the last ultrasound and wanted to double check b/c of the heart murmur Rob was born with. She's fine, although we think she was asleep during the whole thing b/c she didn't move much. She sure kicked up a storm on the way home, though!
He did say that she's six days ahead of schedule growth-wise. I saw on the computer that a new possible due date is March 23rd. I've stopped paying any attention to due dates whatsoever for my pregnancies b/c it really doesn't matter. I'm having c-sections anyway, so I'll just show up for the scheduled surgery!! So, the 29th...the 23rd....whatever! As long as she's born and born healthy, I'm not concerned with dates anymore.
In other news, the boys have fully hit their next stage of life as brothers.....the wrestling/hitting/tormenting phase. It's actually pretty funny to watch (for the most part) as it goes in cycles. They'll be playing together nicely, then Matthew will do something (never usually a big deal) to irritate Ben. Ben immediately hits Matthew. (It may also start with Ben hitting Matthew for no reason.) Ben is punished and told to apologize to Matthew. Matthew is told to forgive Ben. Ben pets Matthew on the head, trying to be nice. Matthew doesn't like it and moves away. Ben hits Matthew.....and you get the idea. Matthew doesn't physically hurt Ben (unless he turns off the TV), but instead, takes things from Ben and tried to get Ben to chase him. It's not that bad, usually, but yesterday we watched their friend David and they took a break from torturing each other and ganged up on poor, unsuspecting, brotherless David. Poor kid...but they all played nicely for the most part. I guess I shouldn't feel too bad for David b/c he and his big sis gang up on Matthew and "scare" him sometimes. They all torture each other, and yet they love to play together!
I'm going to stop my rambling now and get to sleep. It's possible this post didn't make sense, so we'll chalk it up to two little boys having nightmares last night and waking us up. Crazy kiddos.....
Friday, November 16, 2007
Matthewisms
We went to Wal-Mart the other day and I tooled around the toy section, trying to get some ideas for Christmas. I told Matthew to let me know what he liked. He'll be easy to shop for: just get him one of everything in the toy department. In particular, he liked the $350 Jeep that he can drive around. I told him it was too expensive and he said, "Well, that's okay. Maybe we can find it at a garage sale." That's my boy!!
I took the boys with me on a prenatal visit today, just to get them involved. They were very well behaved (Ben kept saying "Very quiet. Doctor"), but Matthew got a little concerned when the doctor was listening to Anna's heartbeat. He looked at me and asked what she was doing. I explained and then he said, "Is she going to do that to me?" I told him no, and he visibly relaxed at that point. A doctor he is not destined to be!
This one's just for Grandma Litwiller: Matthew was singing "If You're Happy and You Know it" and was making up his own things to do. The one that made me laugh was: If you're happy and you know it, pat your poe-poe. Rob taught him that one.
And the newest pretending is being Mowgli from the Jungle Book. That would be okay in summertime, but running around in just a pair of underwear in forty degree weather is not exactly acceptable. And of course, Ben has to do it, too.
I took the boys with me on a prenatal visit today, just to get them involved. They were very well behaved (Ben kept saying "Very quiet. Doctor"), but Matthew got a little concerned when the doctor was listening to Anna's heartbeat. He looked at me and asked what she was doing. I explained and then he said, "Is she going to do that to me?" I told him no, and he visibly relaxed at that point. A doctor he is not destined to be!
This one's just for Grandma Litwiller: Matthew was singing "If You're Happy and You Know it" and was making up his own things to do. The one that made me laugh was: If you're happy and you know it, pat your poe-poe. Rob taught him that one.
And the newest pretending is being Mowgli from the Jungle Book. That would be okay in summertime, but running around in just a pair of underwear in forty degree weather is not exactly acceptable. And of course, Ben has to do it, too.
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