The Bleess Family

Monday, March 1, 2010

Potty Time!

We have been potty-training Zac for a few months now. We've transitioned from using the potty chair to the big toilet. He always goes #1 in the toilet, but not #2. We don't make it in time and I think he's embarrassed. Today (Monday, March 1, 2010) however I saw him just in time. I was getting ready to vacuum and I looked over at him. He was leaning against the kitchen window, grunting. I said "Do you have to go potty? Come on, hurry let's go!" I thought he'd already gone in his pants. We got into the bathroom and he hadn't gone yet. So I set him on the toilet and waited. I didn't sit there and stare at him because I knew he wouldn't go then. So I acted like I was busy and waited... Then I heard him say excitedly "I did it!" And he did!! I told him "Good Job!" and grabbed the camera. He wanted to flush right away, but I told him to wait a minute because I had to take a picture (I know it may be gross, but this is a big deal to me!). This may have been too much information for some of you, but I'm doing it for me so I can remember this day! I'm so proud of him, I hope this is only the beginning! If we get him completely potty-trained and the girls off of formula in a month, we'll be rich, haha!

While I wasn't looking, Zac grabbed the box of Cheerios off the counter and poured himself a bowl! I had given him Apple Jacks, but apparently he wanted Cheerios!

Zac proud of himself for doing his "business"! As he's eating a cookie! Mommy's proud of you too Zac!

Out and About

Thursday my Grandma Jane came to visit. She brought McDonald's for lunch along with clothes and blankets for the kids. We are so thankful for everything! Zac was buddy-buddy with her. I said as long as you have food, he's your friend! This weekend it was nice to get out of the house for a bit with NO kids! Friday nights I work until midnight, so nothing exciting on those nights. By the time I get up and moving around on Saturday morning, it seems as though the day is half over! I'm still trying to get used to this crazy schedule. Saturday afternoon Grandma B watched the kids so Ryan and I could do a few errands, we had gift cards to spend! I bought a Shark Steam Mop- Deluxe Model. It cleans hardwood floors (or any type of hard floor) by steam! Just fill the tank with water, it heats up in 30 seconds, and you're ready to go. It works great! The floors were so dirty from the dogs tracking in stuff (thanks to the snow melting, now it's a muddy mess in our backyard) and the kids making messes! I like not using any cleaning solution, although I will have to get used to it. Ryan went to Lowe's and spent his gift card on stuff for the yard. Then we enjoyed a quick treat at Culver's- I had an Oreo concrete and Ryan had an M&M concrete. Yummm, those are soooo good! We visited with Grandma B for a bit, then it was time to eat dinner, and get the kids ready for bed. I enjoyed those few hours with just Ryan even by doing those simple errands! Sunday afternoon my friend Melissa and I visited our other friend Lindsey. She's going to be a mommy to a baby boy in less than 2 months! I'm so excited for her! While I was gone, Ryan and Zac spent some quality time together... they picked up dog poop in the backyard with the pooper scooper! Hahaha!

I caught Zac in mid-climb on top of his bed...

Hammering the wall with his tools.

BUSTED!

Nessa grabbing the mini dustpan from her sister.

What a way to start out the day! Zac was sitting naked to the right of this shot, pulling on his SpongeBob underwear. He pulled every wipe out of the tub.

And dumped powder all over! Grrr....!!

Baby Val is just chilling in her highchair!

Wrestling time! Val is getting Nessie ( we've started to call Vanessa this too)

Peek-a-Boo Valerie!

Diaper girl Val!

Zac dumped pepper all over Ryan's plate. We can't take our eyes off that boy!

He loves his new jammies from Great-Grandma Jane.

Friday, February 26, 2010

11 Months Old!

On Tuesday the 23rd, Vanessa & Valerie turned 11 months old! Where has the time gone? I cannot believe they will turn 1 year old next month. Babies change so much in their first year of life! I am fortunate to be able to stay at home with them during the day. I love being able to see them grow, develop, and interact with each other. They are crawling like crazy, we are still trying to work with them to put weight on their legs. We will have to see what the pediatrician says at their 1 year check-up. They giggle with each other and of course fight- they always want the same toy! They are babbling more and more every day. Their favorite activities are blowing spit bubbles and waving with their hands. They eat like little piggies and are still sleeping through the night. They say "mama" when they're tired or hungry. Then Mom comes to the rescue! They have also started going after Zac's toys- and Zac puts a stop to that! He grabs his toy back and says "NO SISSY!" Here's their 11 month photo shoot- it's almost impossible to get these 2 to cooperate. They want to pull at each other's bows, hair, earrings, anything but smile for their Mom! First a few other random shots :D

Close-up of my birthday flowers.

Wearing the dog's toy- Elvis' blue suede shoes!

He's been watching too much wrestling with Daddy!

Love Nessa's (L) funny face!

Nessa's being silly!

Funny face again!

This was the shot that made the cut! Both looking at the camera and smiling!

Valley View! (Val)

Not as easy taking pics anymore with these two!

Happy 29th Bday

I celebrated my last birthday in my 20s- 29 last weekend. My birthday is on the 21st and my younger sister's is on the 22nd. We take turns each year picking out our birthday dinner. This year was my pick- my favorite- tacos! We celebrated at Mimi Donna's. We had a yummy dinner, chocolate and cookie cake, and presents. I got everything I wanted: the new Fiestaware color- Lemongrass, a gift card to Bed Bath & Beyond (I want a steam cleaner for our hardwood floors), and external hard drive to save all the photos/videos from the computer. My sister and I are 9 years apart. She thinks it's sooo funny that next year she will turn 21 and I will turn the big 3-0. Hahahaha! Ryan and Zac went to the store early Sunday morning. Ryan let Zac pick out a present for me, he chose some pretty pink Gerber daisies in a vase with a teddy bear attached to it. I actually did not leave the house on my birthday. It was a combination of I was tired (working 6-midnight is getting to me!), the weather, and I had a test in my Anatomy & Physiology class the next day. So I spent the afternoon studying.

Val eating a piece of TP or wipe!

Scooter & Sammy have a rough life!

Sammy sprawled out in the sun spot.

Zac was worn out from playing at preschool.

Zac and one of his many sitting positions.

Val is out!

Our house faces north, we always have snow the longest. Zac was shoveling.

There's the sun! Most of it melted just in time for more snow 2 days later!

One of about 150 pictures we took trying to get just one of both of them smiling for their photo birthday invitations. Finally captured a decent one, but had to take the bows off. They kept pulling at each other's bows. It was an exhausting experience, for everyone!

My birthday cake. Awww a vacation at the beach... maybe again someday!

Kelsey's favorite- cookie cake.

The birthday girls!

Zac loves the jar of bouncy balls- well he loves dumping them out!

Baby Val is tiiiired!

Where does he come out with these hiding spots? This time it's in the Tupperware cabinet!

Me & my boy

Me and Hubby on my Birthday.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Valentine's Day Weekend

One year ago, Ryan, Zac, and I moved from good ol' Peculiar, MO after 5 years and back closer to my family. When we chose our closing date, we chose Thursday, February 12th, because the next day was Friday the 13th! We moved over Valentine's Day weekend, haha! We've had a lot of changes since last year... Miss Vanessa Marie and Miss Valerie Ryan are here! I can't believe they'll be turning 1 next month! I'm also staying at home with the kids during the day, going back to school for nursing (taking a night class twice a week) and working part-time 3 nights a week. This year, we celebrated on Saturday. Ryan is one of the few workers who actually had to work on Monday, so we couldn't celebrate on Sunday. My mom watched the kiddos for us and we went out to dinner. We went to Texas Roadhouse, which was close to home. Surprisingly, we'd never eaten there before. Right now, it is just too hard taking all 3 kids anywhere in public! Zac with his temper tantrums, we never know if he's going to be sweet or not! With the girls, we still have to plan according to their feeding/nap schedule. We enjoyed a yummy dinner, Ryan got the biggest steak they had! Thank you Grandma Jane & Grandpa Bill! We got there right before the big rush. We'd like to go back again, but unfortunately Zac won't be able to come. He has a peanut allergy and part of the atmosphere at Texas Roadhouse is eating peanuts as you wait and trowing the shells onto the floor. Afterwards we did a little shopping, then headed back to Grandma's Beth's house. Sunday was a nice, relaxing day at home. Grandpa Mike & Grandma Linda came over to see the kiddos. It'd been almost a month, so they had to show off their new tricks!

Silly Zac

Val-in yellow and Nessa playing in the jungle of plants!