Will Work For Scooter

Several months ago Hudson and Sadie started begging me for scooters. Hudson wanted a specific scooter, a Red Flyer like one that his friend got at a birthday party. I told them if they saved half the money ($20) I would pay for the other half. They would receive a quarter for making their bed, getting dressed, and picking up toys. And extra money for other chores around the house. The first day we started Hudson pretty much cleaned the whole house with me. After adding the four or five quarters to his jar he said, "can we get the scooter?" Not quite.

3 months later...we counted up the money and Hudson had $14 and change and Sadie had $6. I told them if they combined they could get one scooter and share. They went for the deal (and I saved $20 bucks). I was happy for them.

I take no responsibility for Sadie's outfit choices.

Top 10 Theories on Why Everett Does Not Sleep

So my cute little Everett...innocent looking isn't he? I love him to death and could kiss his squishy cheeks all day long, but why oh why does he not sleep?

10. He's teething

9. There is mold in the basement and he is allergic to it

8. He's cold

7. He has food allergies and he gets an upset stomach at night

6. He has reflux and gets a burn in his throat from it

5. He has post nasal drip

4. He has gas

3. He's uncomfortable

2. He doesn't like sleeping with his siblings

1. He has allergies

What's your theory? Night terrors? Allergic to dogs? (our landlords have one). I think I have heard them all, but please add to the list if you have one. His symptoms are frequent runny nose, occasional cough, throwing up randomly throughout the day (but generally happy during the day), about an hour after you lie him down for bed he wakes up screaming (9/10 nights). Back to bed after being calmed (trust me we have tried more than 5 times having him cry it out, you can only tolerate so much in a basement 2 bedroom), again wakes after a few hours screaming, calm him. Drink. Food. Movie. Bed. Sometimes wakes again, same routine. Wakes for the day between 6:30-7:30am. One crazy piece to the puzzle is he slept through the night in Colorado for 2 weeks straight. He was in his own room. Who knows.

He has been to the doctor more times than any of my other kids put together. And we have never figured him out. You ask, what about the soy thing? Well, several months ago we reintroduced it slowly and he was fine. For the past 2-3 months he has not thrown up with soy. And now all of the sudden he is puking again.. I know, I know take him off soy. It's not that easy. He's just complicated and very opinionated (as far as food goes). There is only so much he will eat. I thought I was a perfect parent until I had him. Just kidding. But I sure am appreciating the mom's who struggle because now I am one of them. My child does not sleep (like an 18 month-old should) and he's a picky eater. The two things I always thought I could train kids on. Sleep train them and let them starve if they don't eat the good stuff, they'll eventually eat healthy if they are hungry. My opinions have changed. Some kids are special. Everett is one of them. I realize many moms have it much worse, but thought I would vent and get a few more opinions. You never know when the right one will come around.

Right now I am trying to just give him fresh foods with no preservitives, eggs, milk, or soy. It's been 2 days. I'll let you know how that pans out.

HUDSON16

In school Hudson has learned how to write his name. We had a party for the MBA program in our backyard and everyone had name tags. I saw Hudson walking around and had a puzzled look when I saw his name tag...

Hudson what? Then I remembered they taught him to write his name and cubby number at school and he has taken the 16 on as part of his name. I thought it was cute, but told him he only needs to write the 16 when he is at school.

It's Affirmative.

Steve accepted a job with Intel Corp. in Portland, OR beginning July 09!