Mommy's Helper

Brussels last week, Paris this week...I'm starting to think Jonathan's job isn't so bad!  He will be home for Christmas though.  Yeah!

Ashley has been "mommy's helper".  She loves to "help mommy" do whatever she can.  Cook, throw things away, take laundry out of the dryer, close the dishwasher, anything.  Ashley is so into dolls. It's sweet to see her motherly/girly side come out.  She'll take her dolls and try to put diapers on them, but bows in their hair (although she will NOT let me put bows in her hair).  This week we had our ward Christmas breakfast/party and Ash was a little ill at ease about Jolly old St. Nick.  Austin however was happy and asked for a pirate ship.  On the way home, he told me he didn't think that was Santa.  My heart stopped thinking my son of 5 cannot stop believing already--I asked why he thought that and he said, "He wasn't fat enough."  Phew.  Close call.  However, something worse happened.  Austin only really wants a pirate ship for Christmas.  He's written Santa, gotten a letter back and has told Santa himself that that's what he wanted.  Well, Austin was getting snoopy around the house and FOUND his hidden pirate ship in a closet!  He ran upstairs and yelled, "I found a pirate ship mom!"  I had not wrapped it and I was mortified.  That was his big gift from Santa!  Oh no!  I had horrible crisis management.  I didn't know what to say.  He told me Santa did not bring this.  I agreed, and said that Daddy bought it because he knew you really wanted it.  And Austin assured me that Santa knows what kids want and he would have brought it.  Ahhhh!

It's so darling when Ashley wakes up from her nap in the afternoons, and the first thing she'll yell is "Au-tee!!" (Austin) and she knows its time to pick Austin up.  She loves her big brother.  Although I have to admit, the teasing, taunting, and chasing has begun.  And they're 5 and 2!  I didn't think this happened until kids were older.  The tattling and yelling really loud even though nothing really happened only to get mom yelling (reminds me of myself with my own brothers....)  I do love how close they are though.

Austin has had a few funnies this week.  He asked me a philosophical question regarding the Polar Express movie.  There's a quote in the movie "Seeing is Believing" and he then asked me "if seeing is believing, we can't see Santa so is he really alive?  What about Jesus?"  Oh dear.  I explained that it's faith we must have.  Also, just tonight in a prayer I expressed my gratitude for this time of year and how well Austin's been obeying, etc.  At the end of the prayer Austin looked at me and said, "You really should have said in your prayer mommy that you're thankful for the birth of baby Jesus.  That's what Christmas is about."  Also, he's been invited to 2 birthday parties on Sundays and I've let him make the decision if he should go or not. Initially, he said he'd go to Pump It Up after church.  But then after a few talks this week, he told me tonight that Jesus would be sad if we went.  He also told me that I shouldn't spend any money on Sunday either.  I told him that I didn't do that, but he said "I know you like Target Mom.  Don't go!"  Thanks Austin.  Finally, on the news there's a current political issue between Gov Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee and it was televised.  Huckabee had a question about the Mormon faith and Austin overheard it and has been pelting me with questions ever since.  "Is Satan really Jesus' brother???"  Gotta love the media.

10 days till Christmas.  I'm done shopping!  And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my brother Aaron turning the big 30.  I love you!

Angie

Birthday Girls

This week I turned 32 and Ashley turned 2!  Jonathan spoiled us both tremendously.   It was a fun week full of roses, cake and pink balloons all over our home.

This week was the first snowfall of the season! Austin was so excited.  He was outside in it forever.  Ashley put her boots on, went outside and touched the snow, tasted the snow and then came inside and said, "hot cocoa" a phrase we've already learned this winter.  

This week Jonathan travelled to Brussels.  He brought home the most delicious chocolates I've honestly ever tasted.  I told him Condi needs to travel there more often.  And if he brought home chocolates like those, I didn't mind him being gone.

I had our Christmas Enrichment meeting on Thursday evening.  It was an absolutely beautiful night.  So many sisters put so much hard work into our magical evening.  We had delicious food, drinks, desserts, a spiritual message and beautiful music that we've all been working on for weeks.  All the ladies went home with a CD of the music there that evening.

Austin has been into "smells" this week.  He bent over and smelled his feet and told me they smelled like "Cracker Barrel".  Then, the next day he told me to smell his hands (yuck) and he told me they smelled like Shrek's ogre hands.  He told me hats smell like old cheese, his lips smell like eggs and that Ashley smells like strawberry shortcake.

Ashley just got her first package of pull-ups this week.  I'm so used to her going on and off the potty, that this is so much easier.  Again, after the New Year the potty training begins!  She hasn't been escaping as much recently.  She's into sitting in Austin's car seat, singing with the radio, and babies.  She loves dolls.  Dolls of all sorts.  She cuddles them, kisses them, changes their diapers, and holds them in blankets as much as she can.  It's so sweet.  Ash has been trying to sing along to the 24 hour Christmas songs I've been playing in our home.  It's so cute to see her sing and try to dance too to the music when she thinks no one is around!

Jonathan ended our week by taking a trip to the ER.  He was cleaning one of our new kitchen knives and it slipped out of his hand and sliced right down on his right pointer finger.  It is his trigger finger (oh dear) and he got it stitched up just fine.  Although he said he never wanted to visit Prince William ER ever again.  We keep saying this in our family but tend to always go back there for stitches.

Can you believe that Christmas is seriously 2 weeks away?!?

I'm so excited!  Have fun getting your last minute shopping done!

Angie

Poo Poo

This week Ashley has been saying Poo-Poo at least 20 times/day.  That means she has the feeling she needs to go potty, but when I put her on the toilet to try, nothing happens.  She gets excited that she has the attention, she's on the pot like a big person, and then immediately hops off in 2 nanoseconds, only to repeat the process over again 2 minutes later.  I decided after the new Year, we'll start the potty training.  She obviously has the interest.  Poo Poo!

Austin has been announcing that he's going to play for USC football when he grows up.  (That's our favorite college team.  Go Dad!)  In fact, Duane is already plotting with my dad and my brothers to take a trip to L.A. to the Rose Bowl in January if they go.  Go Trojans!

Other than football, Austin has been a little stinker in school the last couple days.  The teacher told me he was not letting go of a girls backpack, he took a toy from the same girl the next day, etc.  I asked who this girl was and the girls mom was right next to me.  She said, "I think my daughter likes your son so maybe that's why they're "picking" on each other.  Austin heard this and said, "Sorry, I already have a girlfriend.  No, a wife.  Madeleine.  She left me.  She moved to Kansas.  But she's still my wife."  So funny!  We were dying!  We miss you Cecilia.

This week has been filled with fun holiday parties!  We love our old Fairfax ward and our great friends that we still hang out with.  Thanks Erin!  And our current ward, the Gainesville ward is wonderful.  I absolutely love this time of year.  Besides Christmas is in only 24 days, my birthday is right around the corner on Monday the 3rd!  I feel like I'm still 25, but obviously look older.  The crows feet aren't so cute when they don't go away after you've stopped smiling.  I lost my glasses and was trying some new ones on today and asked Austin which pair looked the best.  As soon as I put some on that I thought were sassy, he said, "Now you look like an old mommy."  So, 'old' mommy is turning 32.  

We're taking our Christmas photo tomorrow morning by my dear friend Jean.  I'm getting ready for our Christmas enrichment night on Thursday.  It will be wonderful!  I also feel so blessed to have such wonderful ladies I visit teach and a great partner that is such a great influence. 

Feliz Navidad!

Angie

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Just the 4 of us, at home, relaxing, eating, relaxing, eating....We did the Fried turkey (a Jonathan Charleston Special) green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, oyster dressing, cranberry jello salad (thanks mom for the recipe!)  

Prior to T-giving, Austin had his preschool Thanksgiving program.  My friend Erika watched Ashley so I could spend all my attention on Austin!  He said his lines perfectly!  We then enjoyed a class "Bread Share".  He was so proud.  I was too.  

Ashley hasn't escaped this week, she's tried, but I'm onto her!  She now can count to 5, but tries to count to 10 with missing numbers.  She still wants to play with everything Austin has/plays with.  Forget her toys, whatever is in Austin's hand, needs to be in her hand as well.  Austin is a team player and gives in...most of the time.  

Also this week we had an appt with Austin's gastroenterologist.  Before we decide to get the surgery done (nissen fundoplication) we are trying one last round of medications for 4 weeks. But even if they work a little better than what he has been taking (which isn't working) the Dr. said he would be on them for years and years.  He's just not getting any better.  The Dr. thought the surgery was a good idea because his acid reflux is so severe.  One of the worst he's ever seen at this age.  The problem we found out through many bronchoscopy's and endoscopy's is that his sphincter between his stomach adn esophagus won't contain anything.  That muscle flops open and shut and no matter how much meds we give him to reduce the acid in his stomach juice, the juices are still flying up into his esophagus and lungs uncontrollably. It burns his esophagus and causes extreme wheezing, hoarseness and asthma/bronchitis. And at age 5, this sphincter muscle should be strong and he should've outgrown anything by now.  So, all of Austin's Dr.'s and Jonathan and I have decided we'll most likely have his surgery done in January or February sometime at Children's Hospital in DC.  That's one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation with Dr.'s skilled in gastroenterology problems.  It's a 4 hour surgery. This is longer than anything he's ever done before.  It's scary, but after 5 years of poor Austin suffering and 3 years since we've been in the states and 8 anesthesia's later, we finally know what the problem is-a muscle that won't contain the contents of his belly!  We'll keep you posted. 

Jonathan is busy at work this time of year.  Palestinian peace talks with the President and Sec State and all 51 UN delegations coming in to DC.  

I am starting my Christmas shopping now!  I partook in Black Friday (not at 4 am) but later.  But this year I am comfortably doing most of my shopping online.  

Above is a picture of my brother Chris, Jodi and baby Brigg!  He's week old today!

31 days till Christmas!

Love,

Angie

The Escape Artist

First, a congratulations is in order for my big brother Christian and his sweet wife Jodi!  They had their baby boy 'Brigg Joseph LaBarbera' yesterday weighing in at 9 lbs 11 oz!  That's quite a feat for such a petite Jodi!  Way to go!

Trick number one!  

Starring Ashley the disappearing toddler.  At the Freedom Center during Austin's gymnastics class, I peak in the window of his classroom and didn't have my eye on Ashley for 5 seconds.  The next things I knew I looked around and POOF!  Gone.  I looked in all the classrooms, ran down the hall yelling her name, nothing.  No Ash.  After 30 seconds of searching, and people walking around, my heart is now pounding, tears welling up in my eyes and now I'm screaming in this rec center for my daughter just knowing she's been picked up and out the door by now by some stranger.  1 minute later, an older gentlemen opened the mens restroom door and asked me if this little girl was mine.  I ran inside not caring if men were using the restroom or how many were in there.  Ashley had pushed open the mens bathroom door, opened a stall and locked herself in.  I thanked the man, crawled underneath the stall, open the door and took note of the very freshly used toilet she had chosen to stand by.  I then vigorously washed our hands (still in the mens restroom).  

Disappearing Act II: 3 days later at Kohls Dept store, both kids were holding onto the cart.  I leaned down to pick up a gravy tureen and POOF!  She was gone.  I immediately called her name but nothing.  I figured if I'm calling her name, she knows where I am and can hear me.  So If I just look for her, I'll find her quicker.  The first 10 seconds I am speedily walking through the store, then 20 seconds I am running through aisles, then after 30 seconds, the tears, panic and worry well up inside me again knowing she'd been kidnapped by now!  Meanwhile, I told Austin just to stand right there and hold onto the cart.  Finally I saw Ashley running.  No, sprinting as fast as she could away from me.  To where?  Anywhere but near me.  I ran up behind her, and before I captured her, she saw me and started to giggle in her hot pursuit-probably thinking how fun it was to escape, even for a little while.  

Disappearing Act III: Austin had a couple of friends over (Bree and Hannah) and they were all downstairs in the basement playing with toys and they were being nice and including Ashley.  I was cleaning upstairs when the doorbell rang.  I opened it and our neighbor from across the street was holding Ashley.  She said, "Do you know this little girl?"  My heart sank as I grabbed her.  The neighbor told me that she was taking her dogs out and noticed Ashley was petting a cat on someone's front patio for about 5 minutes and that she was alone and it was 45 degrees outside.  Good golly.  She had unlocked and opened the back door, and we'd left the garage door open because we were playing outside earlier.  She escaped!

One week, 3 escaping attempts....my heart can't handle another one!

This week was Austin's real birthday-Nov 13.  He turned  5!  He already had a wonderful pirate birthday party but on his actual bday, we went to Chuck-E-Cheese's, had spiderman cupcakes and ended the evening at home with a "treasure hunt" (what else could a pirate want?)  What did he find at the end?  A real treasure chest! 

Austin's also saying funny/gross things this week and laughing at his own jokes (which then makes us giggle).  He's saying things like "my lips smell like eggs" and looking in his mirror and saying, "do you want a piece of me?" and singing Christmas songs to himself which really isn't to himself and people in stores look at him and smile.  He also reminded me this week, "Jesus is the boss of you mommy."

Ashley's comments this week are, "No Way!" and "O-kay" really emphasized and starting to sing the dumbo song "Baby Mine, Don't You Cry."  She also loves jingle bells over and over again.

Ashley started a tot tumbling class last week at the Freedom Center.  Austin takes the gymnastics class after her. They both love tumbling around! 

Happy Thanksgiving!  Gobble Gobble!

McDonalds Birthday Party

Austin celebrated his 5th birthday a few days early this year.  Last night he had his Pirate birthday party at McDonalds Playplace!  What could be better?  His buddies, a pirate theme, a treasure chest cake.  It was so cute because this was the longest I'd seen Austin giddy for for longer than like 5 minutes.  He normally gets excited and claps his hands together and his cheeks just dimple in happiness.  This lasted the entire time at his birthday party.  It was so nice seeing him so happy!  

This week Ashley has been so feisty.  If something doesn't fit her right, she'll yell "NO WAY" or sometimes she'll say "oh my" or "is that funny?" when what she did really wasn't (like throwing a cup of juice on the ground.)  She ran to the front of church today and almost got on the stand.   She was sorely disappointed when I intercepted and she didn't make it.  Although she gets lippy during the day, at night time I am the only one that can hold her and put her down to bed.  She cuddles and says, "love yew".  It makes the sassiness seem so sweet suddenly and not maddening like a few hours earlier.

Austin also asked about pee holes this week in girls and boys.  I explained things appropriately and his questions he had he retaliated back were colorful.  Austin ended the conversation by saying, "well my pee hole is called big weenis."

Isn't it great having a boy?

Angie

Ashley's Endoscopy

Also this week, Ashley had her first endoscopy.  She has the same barky cough as Austin does and she's had it for as long as she's lived as well.  She's on the same high-dose acid reflux medication and her endoscopy done on Tuesday confirmed our suspicions of our coughing, hoarse and wheezing baby girl.  She, like her big brother, has severe GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease.)  We tried everything on Austin to get down to his problems but now at least we know what she has and what we'll be in store for.  

Since Austin has experienced this and no medications are helping his severe case, his specialists agreed (as did we) that it's time that we do the necessary surgery to take care of his GERD.  The procedure is called a fundoplication.  It's where they tie the upper stomach around the esophagus so that no acid can go past the sphincter that doesn't  hold any of his stomach acids down. (Which in turn burn his esophagus, acid goes into his bronchial tubes/lungs and he has a constant cough, and is wheezing and exaccerbates his asthma.  So we're hoping to get the procedure done in the next couple of months.  We've done everything we can through drug therapy all his life but now is the time to take care of this.  

Unfortunately, Ashley is so young, they won't go ahead and do the surgery like Austin's getting done before they run more tests when she's closer to 4 or 5.  I just know what Austin's been through and little sister is in the same boat.  

We'll let you know when the surgery is scheduled for for our little guy!

Love,

Angie

Maggiano's

Some of my dearest friends Abby, Kendra and Lynn whom I met at the American Embassy in Nairobi all came together this week!  We had a wonderful time.  Abby came with her son Clayton.  Abby now lives in Ottawa.  Lynn lives here while learning Russian before their family  moves to Muldova, and Kendra came from Beaufort SC.  It was so nice hanging out again!

Abby's son Clayton is just adorable.  We all met up at in McClean on Thursday.  First, we checked out Filene's Clothing store. There were some deals there-but there were also 6 children under 5 running around the store.  So the shopping part didn't last too long.  We then went to Tyson's Corner and got the kids McDonalds while the ladies found a Chipotle.  Lynn was deflowered at Chipotle as she'd never had it before and LOVES it.  We then shopped a little more....

The next night we all got sitters for the kiddies and the just the ladies went out to Maggiano's Italian Restaurant.  We ate the yummy cuisine until the mushroom stuffed Ravioli was in our esophagus!  Yummmm  We then just stayed and sat and talked.  

The next day we took a spinning class and figured thr 516 calories burned merely burned off a few calamari.  Then Abby let Austin help her make his Treasure chest birthday cake!  He loved helping, decorating and putting candy necklaces and chocolate coins in the chest.  It was truly amazing!  

Condi and Johnny

Special Agent Toler has been a traveling fool recently.  Different locations, wherever Condoleezza goes, he's there.  Here are some cool photos taken while in Turkey.  I like how in the above photo she's holding the umbrella for him.  (He was holding it).

He just came back from Texas (home sweet home) where he was with Ross Perot and the President.

He's home now.  Not for long.

Halloween!

On Sunday evening we went on a scenic drive up the Shenandoah Skyline Drive. It was beautiful and we picked leaves and saw some gorgeous sights that Virginia has to offer! The leaves are really turning into their vibrant colors so it was nice to enjoy fall in full swing!

Also this week was Austin's school field trip to Pumpkinville, in Leesburg, VA. It was fun to let the kids run around. They enjoyed the slides, hayride and to pick their own pumpkin!

Of course we carved our pumpkins this year. While carving, Austin says to me, "Mommy, Jesus is the boss of you. I love him so much. He can tell you what to do. And you must obey him." Yes, Austin. I do.

For Halloween this year, we went with our friends the Bensons. Ginger and I walked the kids around in a wagon and Ashley was the one who walked house to house while the other 3 big kids sat in the wagon, got up at the next house, sat back down, etc. Ash was in full force for her first trick or treating adventure! She loved it and wouldn't let anyone hold her candy. She would say, "tank-you" after each morsel was dropped in her bucket and she would smile as she walked back to us.

Pop came to visit this weekend! He had a conference in Maryland and we went up with him and stayed at the hotel and had a ball! We had dinners together, and we were able to catch up and have a great time. While in Maryland, I was much closer to my buddy Lynn (who lives only an hour from me but hard with all the little ones we both have to get together!) So we were able to visit Friday.

Austin and Ashley loved it that Pop took them swimming in the hotel pool. Also, he brought up the luggage cart and took them for rides! Needless to say, Pop had to leave today and we were all upset. Ashley was yelling "Poppy! No go!" as he was driving away. Sniff sniff.

Halloween is over, I put up the decorations and we're ready for Thanksgiving. We have a lot planned before the next holiday!

Bethlehem

On Jonathan's last travels he went to Bethlehem and took some pretty amazing pictures. He brought home some Olive Tree carved nativities and other beautiful things. The picture above is the exact spot where Jesus was born. The pictures below are entrances to the Church of the Nativity.


This week we went to Austin's preschool Halloween trunk-or treat. There Austin won his first cake in a cake walk! We made donuts, went trunk-or-treating and engaged ourselves in so many fun activities. As with most things, I don't know who had more fun, Jonathan and I or the kids.

Austin does this thing where if he gets hurt or falls or any type of accident he'll slap his rear and yell, "Yee-Haw". I don't know where it came from but it cracks me up because its so random. He'll also come up with Tiny Tim statements like, "Mother, I'm hungry because I've been fast asleep all night. Why of course I'd like some cereal." Who is this kid? Austin has an "art" set that he takes with him everywhere. He puts stickers on papers with crayon, paint and marker drawings on it. His collages are lovely! He colors things in pink and purple and gives me about 5 drawings a day and says, "For you. Your favorite mommy colors."
Austin had his church primary program today where he marched proud down the aisle with the other kids while he held his picture of Jesus high above his head with a huge Austin smile. He also loves to talk at the pulpit. Ashley was clapping in the back the whole time yelling, "Yeah Au-tee!"

Ashley will now mimic people. Me as I'm singing, Austin as he makes noises, she loves to boogie whenever she hears any type of music. She still says "No way" at inopportune times. She's a month shy of 2 years old and still won't let me put any type of bow in her hair. (As soon as I found out I was having a girl I had about 10 hair bows ready for her....) Ash does the most endearing thing-she loves grabbing our cheecks and kissing us. She snuggles so well and we just can't get enough of her. She and Austin love bath time together and Austin still loves being the enforcer. He tells her what's allowed and what's not. As you could imagine she really loves that.

This week is Halloween and it's finally FALL here in DC! Much love and happy treating!
Angie

Hershey Park

First, we want to apologize to Uncle Chris, because we went to Hershey Park his nemesis! (he works for Mars-M&M co). But, we don't feel too bad because we had a great time!



The kids dressed up as Pirates (as did we with our bandanas) and we went to Hershey Park After Dark. They went trick-or-treating, saw reptiles at the zoo there including a live reptile show with alligators and snakes. They of course rode all the kiddie rides and had a ball. The next day we went to Lancaster, PA and ate at the Good and Plenty Restaurant. (Yummy fried chicken and butter noodles!) We enjoyed seeing the Amish land and handicraft. Before we came home we had to do a little shopping in at the outlets up there! Hershey was great. The street lights had Hershey kisses on them, the Chocolate factory ride and the chocolates themselves were yummy. You could buy chocolates that they don't sell in the stores (candy cane choc kisses, hot cocoa kisses, mmmmm).



We also had Back to School Night at Haymarket Baptist Church Preschool and they had a bookfair there and of course we bought books (pirate books-surprise). Austin's teachers Mrs. Burch and Mrs. Davis are phenomenal as he's learning science projects, things electricity does and now has a desire to write anything and everything. Over the summer I couldn't get him to write his name at all. Now, the desire and excitment they put into the kids has given Austin a great drive for learning! They also work up to 10 stickers means they get a trip to the "Treasure Box"--any kind of reward for good behavior ending in going to a treasure box like a pirate is GREAT for Austin!

Austinisms this week: He was picking his nose and we asked him what he was doing and he quickly replied, "Playing with my toys."
He tells us, "You're the best Mommy/Daddy I've ever had!"

Ashleyisms: "Poo-Poo" is a distraction technique...she knows if she says it we either look or put her on the potty to try. She'll normally say it right before nap or bedtime or before we need to go somewhere.


Hallloween is around the corner!
Love,
Angie