HaPpY LeAp YeAr!!

What a wonderful holiday, you should celebrate it. Mine is almost over, but you can still make the most of your day. Here's what we did for ours:

Who needs building blocks when you have empty milk and egg cartons

They all stack and get knocked over the same way

Today we walked to the Real to pick up a bag of groceries and to withdraw some cash for this weekends conference in Warsaw. I got to the ATM and found I didn't have my bank card. No biggy, I'll just come back later, I thought and went on with my shopping.
I thought about buying a lot of groceries but stuck to the one bag I brought with me (here you bring your own bags to put groceries in). I paid with my credit card and made my way out. I looked in my wallet to see a bunch of colored money but as I walked to the taxi I noticed... they were euros; no good here. So I took Maddix out of the cart, grabbed my very full bag of groceries and started walking home.
On the way home Maddix was a big boy and walked so I could carry the bag easier. And we saw a jack Russel terrier dog running around and when a car drove by it ran into the road and chased it away like you see in all the movies, Maddix and I got a laugh from it.
We were half way home when Maddix decided he needed to be carried.

Thankfully as I needed a break I heard someone calling my name and we'd run into some of Trav's classmates, who were ecstatic to see Maddix; Maddix was actually really excited to see them as well. Then we ran into Travis, and finally we made it all the way home. Yes, I did eat through a quarter of  a jar of Nutella on pretzels as a reward; don't judge:)
For dinner we had a new recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup. I forgot to get a picture but it was pretty tasty. More interestingly, at dinner Maddix once again managed to get himself caught in the chair; he does this on a daily basis:

I told him if he did it again he'd have to wait until I snapped a photo before helping him.

When Travis came home tonight he had great news about his Midterm he'd just taken. He's pretty positive he only missed one or two! Once again, blowing them out of the water.

Well in the last mention of news, I've almost secured a stud for Nala, it's a little bit hush hush until I get the okay, but all you have to know is he is GORGEOUS and I'm seriously crossing my fingers it goes through. Can you imagine a dozen of these little beauties running around?!

Boy I love that girl. We miss her so much it hurts. Tonight I discovered that Maddix LOVES Homeward Bound, and YES, I most definitely cried at the end when Shadow makes his triumphant return home; curse these mother hormones that makes everything it home.

Love my little girl.

Happy Leap Year's Eve!

Happy Leap Year's Eve everybody!
This day, along with tomorrow, only comes once every four years and should be celebrated; and how I wish I had access to Leap Year the movie! It is such a good one and I wont have another opportunity like this for... well... four years:) So everyone go watch it!
Today Maddix was my special little helper around the house. He is really growing and catching onto how everything is done:

He would pull off the sock, and then turn to me and say, "Sock?"

Then he would place it in the pile he created for me to fold

For his nap time we decided he is really becoming a big boy... so we gave him a big boy bed:

If you look closely, you can see him bundled in that pile of blankets and pillows

So far the bed seems to be a success. But we'll see later on. He sure does love it.
After his nap he woke up and I went in to see him. He put both his arms up and when I grabbed his hand he pulled me into bed. He then hopped off the bed ran over to his shelf of books and carefully selected three books for me to read to him and came running back over. It was so CUTE! He tucked himself into a blanket and put his head on my pillow and then sat quietly while I read and re-read his books to him. That's the first time he's done that.

Today I also fell asleep on the floor while he watched Cars and like a good boy he just played quietly and let me sleep for the entire movie! I guess that's what happens when you've been up since 3:00am that was also a first for me. All I remember is giving the room one look over to see if it was safe, and then passing out. :)

Our other fun project of the day was another fort. But this time we made it twice as big.

Sure was fun, but once I left the fort Maddix wouldn't even go back in... so instead we colored:

Which again, he only enjoyed for a moment... oh these teeth. He's currently cutting another molar.

Well in other news, someone keeps trying to come to my apartment and it's really creeping me out. Sometimes my love for writing is a downfall as it causes my mind to run with endless reasons for why they keep coming back. I just sit and listen to them try to get me to buzz them in, I don't answer, so someone else buzzes them into the building. Then they sit and knock at my door. All the time I'm building up this big elaborate story in my head as to what I'll do if they try to break in; they never do obviously. My current theory is that the person who lived here before us owed someone some drug money and now they're hounding my apartment looking for him; I have my reasons for going with that scenario :)

In Better news, Travis is now officially leading his Anatomy Class! He is sitting one whole point higher than the next classmate and they are quite a bit ahead of everyone else. Wahoo! You go babe!

Oh, and also, Maddix is currently in bed putting off going to sleep and Travis walked into the kitchen singing a song and when he finished Maddix sang it back to him from in the shadows of his room. We were laughing so hard... which prompted him to get out of bed and come show us how funny he is. Now we're staring the sleeping process all over again.
Night

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful/Delightful

Forgive my post starting with a Christmas Song title, but that just sums today up: We woke up to the gorgeous morning sun bursting through the clouds and thought, 'this is going to be a beautiful day.'

And then about 10 mins later we were having a white out of snow. About 10mins after that, the sun was back.... then it was gone again. All day long in 10 and 15min spurts we would look outside and find either the glorious sun or the snow blowing around with all its might.

Unfortunately my energy seemed to rise and fall with the sun. One minute I would be extremely motivated to get Maddix dressed and go outside to play, then by the time we were ready it was snowing too hard again, and all I wanted to do was just stay inside. We prepared to go out several times today before we realized it just wasn't happening. So instead we:

• Did some P90 X together: i.e. Maddix pulled his blanket next to my mat where I was laying, laid on his blanket and began to copy the workouts I was doing... until he decided to cling to my legs like a weight as I lifted them up and down; he's so helpful
• played in the windowsill, which is a new favorite spot for us. 
• Napped/ I deep cleaned... I will win this bug battle
• Had some leftovers for lunch with Travis
• Played, Played, Played the day away and then
• I put on Cars because Maddix woke up late from his last nap, it was pitch dark outside, and he was fevering again, so he watched his movie on and off while also helping me with dinner

 He kept trying to watch the movie standing right in front of the t.v. and we kept warning him his eyes would get hurt, at which point he'd point to his eyes, then my eyes, then laugh, but finally when we built him a little bed he removed himself from standing so close (just like Lucky in 101 Dalmatians)

Tonight was attempt two of the Broccoli, Cheese, and Potato soup which was the first meal we ever prepared in Poland, and tonight we nailed it!

Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear's portions tonight

Finally, as I finished up cleaning the kitchen I heard a noise that sounded like a dog scratching to be let in, and when I walked in the hall this is what I found:

When I turned my camera on to get this picture, the familiar chime it makes pinged across the hall, and from the other side of the door I heard this, "Cheese" from Maddix who knew I was sneaking a picture of him:)
That was our day, just another day I really enjoyed

P.s. I tried to post this last night when I was talking about Maddix being incredibly silly just before bed, but I couldn't get this to load... so here it is today:) Just has nothing to do with today's post.
Enjoy. Just ignore the talking. It was the first video i've done so we were trying to figure it out

What Glorious Scenes Mine Eyes Behold

These Were the Beauties I beheld today:

Radiant Beamed the Sun Above

This was the view from my balcony this morning

Unfortunately this was the view of Maddix getting ready for church that captured how he felt the entire day

So warn down from teething

Once again at church Maddix made it about 30mins before taking a milk bottle and falling asleep in Travis' arms; I think Travis really enjoys rocking him to sleep.
Today we had testimony meeting since next weekend we'll be in Warsaw for a conference and the spirit was extremely present in this meeting. Our ward is made up of two polish families, four American families, three Taiwanese students, two missionaries, and two investigators (one of which just committed to be baptized!). Today there was only one Polish lady there and she speaks okay English so this is how the meeting went:

• The Sacrament was blessed in Taiwanese.
• Our testimonies were in English, then translated into Polish by one of the elders
• Our songs were in Polish
• Our scriptures were read in the native tongue of the reader
• Our Sunday school class was in English

It was an incredible experience to have the gospel shared in so many languages and yet to know that it's still true; that the only reason it's possible for us all to sit in that room and feel the same spirit, despite the language barriers is because of the truth that's being conveyed. I'm loving it.

When we got home from church we received a call from Travis' classmates so we went over and joined them for a Mexican lunch. Then went home to tend to Maddix, clean up, and start preparing dinner for the Elders and Pres. Mecham who were joining us for dinner.

Normally Maddix grabs me for comfort when he feels bad; not tonight

Watching some fireworks together

Then we thoroughly enjoyed having company:

I came around the corner and this is what I found:)

Elder Kennedy was EXTREMELY impressed with the grammar in Maddix's Polish Cars book

(Pres Mecham, E. Micholesky- from Draper, E. Kennedy- from Trav's mission ward, then my boys)

After they left Maddix was feeling a bit better so we let him play around and act like a goofball for a little bit before putting him to bed.... of which he went straight to sleep tonight (for the most part)

He kept locking his knees and falling over Trav like a board and switching sides. All the while, giggling uncontrollably

Then it was bed time and I took a moment to notice the beauty outside my bedroom window

The picture doesn't do it justice, it was snowing out the window, and everything just seemed to be glowing and it was glorious to behold.

So we asked to give talks on the creation in two weeks... also we were also extended some callings tonight that I'm extremely excited for, so after we're set apart I'll post what they are.
Goodnight for Now.

~ Maddix Gotsta Teethin Blues~

Maddix's Blue's song:

He's a baby named Maddix, wa-wow wa wow.

And lately he's been sad, wa-wow wa wow

Just a screamin all daaa-ay, wa-wow wa wow

And makin his folk's so mad wa-wow wa wow

Tonight I'd had enough! wa-wow wa wow

he had pushed it to far! wa-wow wa wow

So I sat him on the couch, wa-wow wa wow

And we put on CARS wa-wow wa wow

Did I forget to mention, wa-wow wa wow

that  earlier today, wa-wow wa wow

I was unloading my groceries, wa-wow wa wow

When a smell came my way, wa-wow wa wow

IT was ALL up his back! wa-wow wa wow

Just tons and tons of poop! wa-wow wa wow

This was the last of the poop that crept out of the diaper:)

 So we quickly took a bath, wa-wow wa wow

And then had us some soup, wa-wow wa wow

 So once the house was clean, wa-wow wa wow

 family phone calls all done, wa-wow wa wow

We gave the boy some meds wa-wow wa wow

And said "good riddance" to our son! 

 He's got the.... BAAABAY teethin blues!

He's got the B-A-B-Y, T-double E

T-H-I-N bLUES, can't you see?!

He's got the.... BAAABAY teethin blues!

*Drum rollin'*

......................And so do his momma and daaaaaaad

*more Drum rollin'*

*symbol tap*

:)

I LOVE not working Fridays; almost as much as I LOVE my BOYS!

I LOVE not working Fridays; almost as much as I LOVE my BOYS! Oh that statement couldn't be any truer.

Instead of being at work, carrying heavy bus tubs, being splattered with food, and taking endless demands from hundreds of people, tonight I enjoyed a stroll through our neighborhood that ended at a pizza joint just down the road.

This was his fit when he was told he couldn't have his binki on this outing

All this pizza and two waters for $10.00

He thoroughly enjoyed his pizza and then we took a stroll to this giant mall down the road from our apartment, then made our way home where Travis started studying again, I didn't have to clean up dinner, and Maddix and I cuddled while reading some books; then bed.

Well, I had other things to write but Maddix is cracking me up so I have to share.
Once again it's game time and so far it's 3-0, i'm winning on putting him back in bed. WELL, I thought he was asleep so I went in to close the window and I hear this *shuffle, shuffle,* and when I looked over his eyes and nose were barely poking over the back of the futon. Shoot! I stood there, caught, and when I went to dash out of the room I hear this *shuffle shuffle* and there he is with his head and fingers peaking through the back of the chair we keep at the end of the bed so he doesn't fall out. I just pulled the door closed and ran out regretting my choice. Point for Maddix, 3-1
I told Travis and we had a quick laugh about it. I went into the kitchen and as I turned the corner it was like a scene from Chucky: There he was. Standing in the shadow of his doorway, trying to be seen, but not seen at the same time, with this mischievous smirk on his face; it scared me SO badly. I screamed and he thought he was hilarious. He ran into my room to show Travis how funny he was. 3-2
THEN, about 20mins later Travis had to turn his phone on and the tune that chimes as it turns on was pretty loud and we hear this, "phone!" from the other room, followed by this, "hewoh? hewoh?"
So cute.... tied game 3-3
THEN, like 20mins after that we hear this rustling and travis opens our door to find him laying flat on the floor with his eyes peaking under our door crack. I have no idea how long he was there. 3-4
So we picked him up to give Travis a kiss and this mouth full of drool dripped all into Travis' mouth hee hee hee. 3-5... He's winning and I think I'm going to have to call the game because I CAN'T lose.

SO NOW, we've been trying to get him to sleep for the past... almost two hours. I'm really missing his crib at the moment. And I'm sure I'll miss it even more in the morning when it's Saturday morning, the mother of all mornings to sleep in, and he's going to be in our room waking us up, OR WORSE, not waking us up and doing something naughty that doesn't interrupt our sleep! But All that being said, it will always be worth it as long as I get to wake up and see this face every morning. 18 years is going to flash by much too quickly before he's leaving me for two years. I pray I get to cherish everyday until then as much as I've been relishing these past few weeks of being a full time mom.

Disclaimer: This next part of the post is aimed solely at my husband, so you can stop hear or read the mushy part of the extra post.


Travis, I hope you know how much I love and cherish you as well. Thank you for being my husband. Thank you for knowing me in and out so that I don't have to explain how i'm feeling, because I am a girl and we're often upset because we don't know what's bothering us.
Thank you for being my bestfriend and giving me a hard time, playing with me, and making me laugh.
Thank you for loving our family so much that you gave up everything to come here and dedicate your heart and sole to school... and yet you fit Maddix and I in just enough that we don't feel neglected.And you know what, this isn't the first time you've packed up and left everything behind to make a better life for you and I. Summer sales of 2008?
You are so stubborn, hard working, and dedicated to this family and it's well being and I appreciate that!
I'm so grateful for every minute I've had with you, and for all the moments that are to come. I'm sorry we haven't had a real Valentines Day Celebration due to one thing or another in 4yrs, but just know that I love you so much and as long as you love me, I will follow you to the ends of the earth and stand by your side... even when you're so ridiculous. And anyone that knows you KNOWS exactly what I mean when I say you can be the most RIDICULOUS person I know :) But I love that part of you too.

At Larisa's wedding in San Diego

This was one month after being sealed to my best friend for time and all eternity. Every year with you has brought an entirely different set of trips, hobbies, obstacles, difficulties, surprises, adventures, lessons, plans, and hard times, and I have loved every minute of it because I've been by your side for the journey. I'm so glad that we're going to have an incredible story to pass onto our children, and grandchildren to come. I love You. For no reason than that, I wanted to take a minute to let you know that, since sometimes I lack in showing it.
Just always know.
I love you.

A very Rainy February 23, 2012

What a rainy Thursday for Maddix and I to enjoy... and we sure did. We just took it easy, and we loved it.
Unfortunately though, the only pictures I took today were of the food; I swear I'm not obsessed. Don't picture me with chubby German cheeks and chocolate stains on my face; don't judge me. I have been working out hard to compensate and Maddix has been joining in. When I'm stretching and doing jumps he tries to wrap onto my let like a weight, or crawls under my legs with his car. So I'm working hard:)
So while Travis was out conquering medical school one quiz at a time, we were here conquering one meal at a time. But unfortunately:

Zucchini Sticks

... I went through the WHOLE process only to eat one when it came out and it was so gross! The zucchini was bad. So we scrapped it all and started over an hour later. I was NOT ready to cook something else so this is what we had:

Peach Yogurt with Apples covered in Nutella (my new FAVORITE European treat)

Besides eating today we danced around, twirled, colored, and.... I don't remember it was raining so hard today it all just sort of blurred into the noise of wind banging against our windows. It was nice. Also, I loved that today Maddix came up to me and said, "hand," like he always does when he takes me to what he wants to show me but when I reached for his hand he decided to have me hold him instead; then he nuzzled his head into my shoulder.
This was our dinner, since it's the only other picture I have:

Roasted Veggi's over Bow tie Pasta

By far my LEAST favorite meal... just wasn't that good.
Today I was able to get the kitchen all cleaned up in time to give Maddix a bath, brush his teeth (because we do that now), and then I was so excited that we were able to cuddle up into my bed and read books for a half hour before bed. THEN we went through the whole routine where he jumps out of bed and comes out so I can see him, then I heartlessly put him back into bed, and it just continues on longer and longer each night. Tonight I ALMOST had him asleep when Travis came home and when Maddix heard him come through the door he jumped out of bed and ran into his arms. He gave him a big kiss and then you could see the wheels in his head cranking, telling him that he should take advantage of the moment and use it to get out of bedtime. So then he ran into my room and once again I was the mean mommy that ended the fun and pulled him away from his daddy:)
So that's how our day was... plus for the best news: Travis text me today and he got a 5/5 on his anatomy quiz (the highest in the class), and a 5.5/5 on his biophysics quiz (second highest in the class by the difference of .2). Once again, I'm SO proud of him! He is really putting his heart into this and committing to make our futures turn out right!
Goodnight!

~LeApS & BoUnDs~

Today was a day full of leaps and bounds for Maddix and I. 

This morning Maddix and I went to the fridge to pull out his sippy cup and pour him some milk. Here our milk comes in a yellow cap-2% equivalent for Travis and I, and I red cap-whole milk for Maddix. So as we grabbed his milk I pointed out to him, "Maddix's milk, Red *point*, and My milk is yellow *point*." I repeated it a few times and then to my surprise he pointed to each one and said, "hwed *Point* yehwow *point*." I was so proud of him, and then he LEAPT even further in knowledge by then pointing to the shelf above, where the ketchup and mustard are contained, and saying, "yehwow *point to mustard*, hwed *point to ketchup*."... wow. Sometimes my job is easy. 

Then in another moment of moving forward I knew we had to go to the store soon, so even though it was slightly drizzly outside, I packed Maddix up and decided to walk to the REAL grocery store; it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, it was fun actually, just to enjoy some time out and about with all the students around everywhere. It probably helped too that Travis' class was on the far end of campus so I made sure to leave when he did and he carried Maddix almost 1/2 way for me. Then on the way home we took a cab because my grocery bags were too heavy to carry along with Maddix. 

So when we got home I rewarded myself by putting Maddix down for a necessary nap and snacking on a mini parfait.

I sure do love European snacks

 Then tonight we took a bit of a leap back to our state side roots and enjoyed some food you don't often have here: Mexican. We had stuffed soft shell tacos! Oh that might just be my favorite meal now :0)

 Then during my routine clean up after dinner, Maddix came and took the vacuum hose from me and started cleaning for me. Cute. But the funniest part was when he straddled the hose and started riding it like horse, noises and all. I desperately wish I would've got a picture of that one! I did however get a picture of Maddix in his favorite spot to watch movies:

Don't worry, I don't let him stay here long.... terrible for the eyes!

 Well it feels like we were very blessed in the leap Maddix made, transitioning from crib to futon... but as of a few days ago we've been taking leaps backwards. And tonight we took a LARGE bound backward in progress of bedtime! 

My good little boy typically tries to escape bed 2 to 4 times in a 30min period but then goes to sleep; not bad at all right? Well tonight it's been around an hour and a half with countless escape attempts and he's still putting up a fight. He doesn't even try to go anywhere, he just likes your attention. And if I don't give it to him and try to not play into his game, he one ups me by getting into his toys. We've swatted him and that works for a second to hold him in bed, but then he recovers and is on the go again. Arg! This last time I was in my room with the door propped closed and we could hear him escaping again. When we opened our door there he was, butt in the air, head to the ground, just trying to peak under our door crack to see what we were up too. Travis took charge in putting him back to bed this time and needless to say, he hasn't tried getting out again... I think he might even be asleep; maybe. 

Well that was the day. The Lord blessed me to overcome a major fear and it was really enjoyable. He blessed Travis to have breaks inbetween classes that conveniently put him home everytime I was just putting a meal on the table, and tonight he blessed me to not chop my finger off... I'm dead serious, I almost lost the entire top of my finger: I was cutting an onion, got going too fast with too much force for how dull the knife is and my onion tipped and my knife came down hard of my finger. I stopped for moment, letting go of the knife, but it didn't fall over because it was stuck deep in my finger... nail. I had to look for a minute while no pain signals reached my brain, but as it would go the knife drove straight into my fingernail and BARELY missed the whole top of my finger! I pulled it out and now have this weird chunky indent in my ring finger nail but I am just fine. I am so grateful for the protection my family and I are given on a daily basis! 

Goodnight.

We planned to make it outside... really we did.

You know the best part of not working anymore? Endless possibilities with Maddix.  I used to have quite a bit of time off in between my working days so I really should've had plenty of time of enjoy my son and do all the things we wanted, but I always would wake up on my day off and think, "Okay, I HAVE to make today really count because tomorrow I'm back at work." Or I'd fret when the sun was out and we weren't out soaking in all it's rays while we had time because most days I didn't work it was always raining (funny how that is). I ran my days on a meticulous schedule to try and make the day all that it could be and half the time I ended up frustrated with the day because we were behind schedule.

But here there is very little use for schedules, and very little time restraints. We can run our day how we want and the only thing that dictates my days are the number of pairs of socks Travis brought with him: He brought 7 pair,s so really I only HAVE to do laundry every 6days. When I look in the fridge I only HAVE to go shopping once the food is out. I only HAVE to pull myself away from whatever we're immersed in by 5:00pm to have dinner done for Travis' return; the rest is a blank canvas for us to create whatever we please. 

So today I had woke up thinking we'd go outside FOR SURE because the sun was out for a surprising two days in a row, and the weather report is calling for rain until next Thurs... obviously a good idea to get out while we could. But as the day progressed Maddix and I found ourselves indulged in other activities. 

Activity 1: His Cars fort.

I kept having that nagging feeling, "Lacey, you HAVE to get outside. The sun will only warm up the day for so much LONGER. Clean up the fort and get outside. Exit out of the recipes online and take Maddix outside." 

But every time I looked over and see him having fun, I'd suppress that voice in my head and just enjoy where the day was at.. not where I'd planned it to be. And so, we never made it outside, but we enjoyed our many activities indoors today. The creativity of a child's mind (especially my Maddix's) will never cease to amaze me. 

Each day he is trying something new. Yesterday I thought about posting an updated account on Maddix's progress and really didn't know where to begin. He's passed the point of listing everything he can say because he can say EVERYTHING. I'll just say out loud, "okay let's go get some cereal," and just like a parrot I'll hear him mock, "cereal?" And that's how it is with ANYTHING that you say. Now is when we really have to watch what we say... *cough, cough* Travis. 

And so, I guess I really do need to sit down and think about all the things that he can do, but not now because it's late, I'm starting to see double, and I keep retyping the same words twice. I know I'm always saying how tired I am but that is because believe it or not, if I don't get dinner started until 5:00pm, I don't get finished with eating, the clean up, a bath for Maddix, sometimes a story, prayers, and then the deep clean on the kitchen to prevent the buggies, and then finally into bed at 10:00 when I turn the computer on and blog. 

So I'll leave you with our evening happenings 

We love us some dinner time

We tried out a new recipe for baked Parmesan Chicken and it's probably my favorite meal we've had thus far. Next time I think I'm going to put it over some noodles and make it into more of a pasta meal. Maddix loved it as well. But he loved sitting next to Travis for dinner more. Afterward they turned on a short cartoon and sat and watched it &laughed together; it was cute:) Then Travis had to get back to studying and I put Maddix to bed. 

Today was another very good day. Hopefully this is a sign that we're finding our groove.