mix of Monday blues

It definitely feels like a Monday. Today we have a mix of the Monday blues around here...

Relief that its Monday, as Zach is FINALLY feeling better after a very long week/weekend and is able to go back to school today. I think I was about 10 minutes early to drop him off today, as I was anxious to get him back into the swing of things. We both seem to do better with structure and routine.

But as expected, Cameron became sick yesterday. He is now fighting a fever and a beautiful wheezing/hacking cough. Those of you with more then one child, know this scenario all too well. Its inevitable that it passes from one to the other. So unfortunately it will probably be another long week and I am saying many, many prayers that both boys are healthy by the end of the week.

This weekend Mark and I have our fancy weekend away at the Kohler resort in Wisconsin and we are leaving them with Mark's parents. I will feel horrible if one or both of them are still up in the night battling this thing! But one thing I do know, is that I'm not cancelling. I (we) need a weekend away more then ever....

a shocking revelation

Cameron had his 4 month appointment today and
the doctor once again confirmed our suspicions, he's a chunker and that the scales don't lie. Cam weighed in at a whoopin' 17 pounds, 11 ounces. Yeah, I know that's almost 18 pounds. Which sure seems like a lot to me, even though he's only in the 75th % tile for boys. Those of you with little ones of similar ages, know thats a lot of pounds for a 4 monther! He's also in the 95th % for height, so at least the poundage has room to spread out a little bit. I would like to blame the size of his thighs on being swollen from his shots today, but I can't lie, they really are that adorable and chunky!

Despite my continuous attempts of encouraging Cameron to take the pacifier, he is turning into a little thumb sucker. A habit that I will not look forward to having to break some day down the road.

just the beginning of the fall/winter season

This the sad and mopey face I have been dealing with since Sunday. Zachary has contracted his first sickness of the school year and I think its only a sign of whats to come...

We have been dealing with high fevers, a wheezing/barking cough, runny nose, and up for many hours during the last 3 nights. I thought things were looking up yesterday and I was hopeful that he would be able to return to school today. But much to my disappointment we were home bound for the 4th straight day! UGH! Well, except for an outing to see the doctor today. Whom just confirmed my suspicions that he 'just has a cold' and there was nothing they could do for him.

a week of firsts

Quite an exciting week around here for us.

Cameron took his first 'big boy' bath with his brother, as he has outgrown taking baths on the kitchen counter. He seems to love taking baths, as he gets very excited and just about kicks all the water out. It was turning into quite the mess in the kitchen. So for the first time last night we put him in with big brother. As we don't have a 'system' down yet, it was a bit chaotic, as I did end up having to jump in at the last minute to save the situation.

Cameron also starting rolling over this week. I was getting a little concerned that this was never going to happen as he's got the best chunky legs and arms to deal with. I thought it may be a while before he mastered such a task. But much to my relief, he's rolling both ways and sends Zach into a fit of giggles every time he does it... Nothing but fun times around the Leys' household.

saturday zoo trip

Today we didn't know what to do. But then Mark said, "hey! Why don't we go to the zoo."

We saw three funny monkeys chatting away, we wished we knew what they were trying to say.

No other animal is so tall or so grand, as the long necked giraffes roaming the land...

(Lines that Zachary quotes from a Wiggles book)

We took advantage of the picture perfect weather and spent the day at the Brookfield Zoo. We met up with our friends, Steve & Stacy and their two girls, Lauren & Chloe.


Also a big thanks to Steve for coming over Friday night to help Mark fix the gaping hole in our garage ceiling! We truly appreciated it. Also kudos to my hubby, for figuring out how to fix the wiring for the garage door so it works again. Nice work honey!

Used up one of his 'nine lives'

The hole on the right.... yeah, not supposed to be there.

This is where Mark was dangling from this morning, with Zachary screaming bloody murder underneath him.

We started off the day extremely energetic and ready to tackle the tedious project of cleaning out the garage, which had turned into a disaster zone after a long summer of just throwing things back in there.

Mark was putting some toys up in the attic that Zach has outgrown over the summer and can go away until next year. While up in the attic he saw a 'handme down' bicycle up there that we had forgotten about and thought that Zach might be able to use now. Well, he lost his concentration for one second, misstepped, and before he knew it he was hanging thru the ceiling with only his head left up in the attic. Drywall came crashing down along with 3 pairs of ski boots that were up in there.

Fortunately I was in the garage and heard Mark scream (like a little girl, I might add.) I was able to get a step-ladder underneath him so he was able to stabilize himself and come down. Thankfully, Mark only sustained minor injuries, as I can't bare to think about the 'what if' he would have fallen all the way thru and landed on the concrete. Not only could Mark have been seriously injured, but both boys were in the garage and sitting not far from where the ski boots came crashing down.

All in all another scary event for the Leys'! I feel like we are quickly using up our 9 lives, after my scary car accident and now this. Now, next weekend's project will be fixing the ceiling and our garage door, as the wiring for the door ripped off and the main control no longer works. Oh well, all minor things compared to what could have been....

starting a new tradition

On Friday I got together with some girlfriends from college. This is the first time we have gotten together with our kids for a playgroup and it was such a success we are starting a new tradition! We live somewhat spread out across Chicagoland so we will start meeting every other month. I am looking forward to this new tradition and seeing these girls and their kids on a regular basis. Thanks for making the trip out here girls!

The first picture was the best one I was able to get of all 5 kids. Needless to say a bit of a challenge. From left to right, Mica Zandstra, Simon Cooper, Seth Haartman, Zach & Cam.