It's been awhile...

I am way behind in posts. I figured I'd better squeeze one in to get people off my back. We all have been sick this week. Brendan had bronchitis, I have had a horrible cold, and Jeremy was tossing his cookies earlier this week plus is battling a cold. Good fun.

Christmas was good. We went to my mom's on Xmas Eve. After dinner we opened presents. Cole and Brendan (in their matching pj's) don't quite get the concept yet. They are perfectly content just looking at the characters on the wrapping paper. Who cares what's inside? We made the mistake of letting them (ok, us) open their presents from Tony first. Once they saw their John Deere Big Scoop Tractor they could care less what else was to come. They did lose a some interest when Tony started putting Brendan's Cozy Coupe Car together. He was required to assemble it when two boys crawling in and out.

Christmas morning we opened presents from Santa. Again, he was just as happy with the Backyardigans wrapping paper. In the early afternoon, Jeremy's mom, brother, sister, and his brother's girlfriend came to exchange presents. I got some of the penguins that I've had my eye on at Hallmark for the last month. Brendan opened his presents but was equally amused just showing off. In the afternoon we went to Jeremy's aunt and uncle's for dinner. Someone made the mistake of introducing Brendan to the singing fish on the wall. If he got too close he was afraid of it, but loved it from a distance. They were required to hit the button to make it sing over and over and over.

On Saturday Jeremy had to work so Brendan and I ventured off to my grandpa's on our own. It was raining and foggy but the roads were fine until we hit the road Grandpa lives on. I'm not really sure you can call it a road. It's more of a death trap. Large hills, curvy, big drop offs on either side of the road, and glare ice. I have never been so happy to be out of the car in my life. Brendan was very excited b/c Grandpa has lots of bird feeders with a ton of birds. And even better, horses. We walked down to see the horses in the pouring rain. The horses came out but left as soon as they realized we didn't have anything good for them. I can't blame them.

For New Year's we went to Jeremy's co-worker, Margie, and her husband Fred's for a bit. No, Fred and Margie are not the little old couple you are envisioning. Not even close. We took Brendan and he had a good time and was a really good boy. He was amused by their gynormous dog. Every time the dog walked by he'd call out for the "horse". Understandable. He was a moose. Brendan's idea of a big dog is Riley, the skinny sheltie. We got home a little after 9. Brendan and I were in bed shortly after that. Since I was still sick and tired, Jeremy went to another party without me. I did wake up and turn on the TV long enough to watch the ball drop before going back to sleep. Exciting times.

That's pretty much the jist of it all. Here are some pictures. There are quite a few since I've been such a slacker.

Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa's...

Christmas morning at home...

Christmas at Dick & Sandy's with Kelly and her ferrets...

Merry Christmas

Make a Smilebox greeting

Santa's Elves were here...

Last night Santa's Elves came and filled Brendan's stockings. He honestly could care less. He doesn't quite get the concept of opening presents. Oh well, he'll get it sooner or later.

There are FABULOUS pictures of Maddy that my friend, Julie, did on her blog if you want to check it out. Feel free to gush. She and Alicia will appreciate that.

Here is a picture of Brendan from the other night playing with Dad.

Santa's helper

We finished up decorating the tree the other night. I was sitting on the floor putting hooks on the ornaments and Brendan took to adding bulbs (without hooks) all by himself. Here is a short video of that. This was the same night he was jammin' to Rockin' around the Xmas tree so he still looks like an orphan.

More Maddy

I tried to upload this along with the pictures yesterday and wasn't having any luck. So, here is a short video of Maddy from yesterday. Nothing exciting but cute. It was pretty dark in the room so a majority of this is pretty dark. If you haven't already seen the pictures, be sure to scroll down.

Welcome to the world...

Just to keep the Ahlers clan informed (and anyone who knows Alicia)


Madelyn "Maddy" Mae Weinshrott

was born early this morning. 7 lbs 12 oz. 20 inches long.



For the record, Brendan is not a fan. He's not jealous. I think she scares him. He couldn't get away from me and to Uncle Tony fast enough.

Rockin' around the Xmas Tree

Last night I was decorating the Christmas tree and Brendan was playing with some of the penguin stuff he came across. He's a fan of the Hallmark penguin thing I got a few years ago. The penguins ring their bells and sing. This is him enjoying the tunes.

As always, the videos are pretty dark. I have no explanation as to why he's wearing no pants. I think that was a half-assed attempt at getting him in his pajamas. And the bib is not filthy as it appears in the video. Wet, but not dirty. I don't know why it looks so gross. Please don't call the social workers.

Gonna have to face it your addicted to

Vicks. Yes, you heard me correctly. Vicks Vapor Rub. He can thank Grandma for that one. It doubles as a learning mechanism. It's hours of fun taking the cap off and putting it back on. But, it smells so damned good. Watch his eyes in the 2nd video as he inhales.

Straight from the heart

All I can say is that Allie is going to be SO pissed.

Cha cha cha

We did a lot of running this weekend. But, it was nice outside on Saturday so we took advantage and went out to play in the woods. He probably would've played all day if I had let him.

You can't quite tell, but his hat is stuck in the branches so he can't move.

Oooo, leaves. Good fun.

I'm outta here.

In the last week he has discovered his love for Sour Patch Kids. He loves them and inhales them without even puckering. His new favorite phrase? Cha cha cha.

Climb every mountain

If it doesn't move, we are going to climb it. On second thought, who cares if it moves. We'll climb it anyway.

Gobble, gobble, gobble

No Brendan pictures today.

We just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Turkey Day.

Snow Angel

We woke up to about three inches of snow. Brendan was feeling lazy and slept in. Why can’t he do that on the weekend? I woke him up when Jeremy was just about ready to leave for work. I changed his diaper, and threw on his hat, coat, and shoes to show him the snow before they left. I thought that since he was half asleep he wouldn’t care at all. He loved it. He took off in a dead run down the driveway. He took a tumble and I thought that would be enough to piss him off. Oh no, he giggled and rolled just like the dogs do. He got up and took off again. When he nearly reached the road, I scooped him up and dragged him in the house….kicking and screaming. It could be a long winter if he actually likes the snow. I don't like the cold, wet snow.

Reading Rainbow

You have all seen proof of Brendan's passion for music, but it's a toss up which he loves more.....music or books. He will drag books around all day. The truth be told, when he's not looking we hide books from him because he's so obssessive about them. Come on, how many times can you look at the same book. Really? If he isn't sure about you, the sure fire way to his heart is with a book. True story. Ask my dad.

Bad Dad?

I was getting dinner ready tonight and Allie called to ask what time Jeremy would be there to pick up Brendan. Cole was ready to eat and she wasn't sure if she should feed them both. I looked at the clock and realized it was 5:30. I said something must've held him up at work, but I'd call to see how soon he'd be leaving. I called and asked where he was. Here is how the conversation went...

Me: "Where are you?"
Jeremy: "Right up the road."
Me: "From mom's?"
Jeremy: "No, home." With a tone like he was thinking I am a complete moron.

There was a brief pause before it hit him. He left work, jumped in his car, and headed home completely forgetting poor, sad Brendan was waiting for him at my mom's.

In his defense, we are out of routine today. Typically Brendan goes to Sue's on Thursday, but there was a change of plans and he went to mom's. Apparently the anticipation of watching Twilight tonight was too distracting.

How could someone forget this face??

Girl Scout Honor

Yesterday I got a delivery of Girl Scout cookies that I ordered awhile ago and forgot about. Damn Girl Scouts. Brendan was being a bear so I bribed him with a Thin Mint. How messy could they be, really? Oh dear Lord, there was chocolate everywhere. I have no idea what possessed me to allow this outside of the confines of a high chair. The pictures don't really portray the true magnitute of the mess.

Rub a dub dub

This is a video of Brendan playing in the tub. No one believes that he can smile and laugh. I thought it was time to post video proof.

Boogie down

These are a couple videos of Brendan shakin' his groove thing to two of his favorite TV themes. The Addams Family and Backyardigans. When he watches the Addams Family commercial he tries to snap his fingers. He just hasn't quite gotten it yet. When he is standing, he really gets the hips in motion. You can kind of see it in the second video.

I really need to convince him to have these dance parties in the day so we have a little more light to work with. Sorry, these are pretty dark.

May the force be with you...

Brendan the comic book hero, sporting his Star Wars shirt?

Or not. I don't like these pictures. He looks like such a big boy. Where did the baby go?

Do not disturb

The house can be on fire. There can be a stampede of elephants running thru the living room (which I realize makes not sense, but bare with me). If the Backyardigans are on, there is not much that can pull Brendan's attention away from the TV. Well, during the opening credits, that is. He sways and dances while they sing and dance.

Here is him watching it earlier today.

Decisions, decisions...

Big game this weekend, people. Packers vs. Vikings. Brendan can't decide who to root for. He has ties on both sides of the Mighty Mississippi. Here are a couple pictures of the wrenching decision he is trying to make.

PACKERS????

VIKINGS???

DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE!!!

Barack the vote!

Just a friendly reminder...don't forget to vote today!

If you are still undecided, maybe Brendan can help sway your vote.