Water for Elephants

A few weeks ago a friend of mine and myself went shopping.  She is not a reader by any means so when she suggested that I read "Water for Elephants" I was naturally interested. She had said she had heard the most amazing reviews on this book and now it has come out in theater. She had thought that she might actually read this book in her spare time.  Now I haven't bought a book in years. I prefer to go online and request books from our local library, which is so easy to do on their website.  They actually hold them for you and you come and pick them up in a two-week period or they will put them back, and you get to keep them for 2 weeks. You also can check out 99 books at a time. I'm not sure who takes advantage of that number but its a great program!  I knew this book would not be available for quite some time at the library since it is new, so we both picked up a copy. It laid on my bedside for 2 weeks before I opened it up to start to read it. I never read a review. Never looked at the trailer for the movie. But I will tell you I was not interested to read about a circus, so I second guessed my impulse to buy such a book in the first place.

Once I picked it up, it only took 3 days for me to finish it. I would have finished it sooner if I did not have a child, husband, house, or work to do. It was beautifully written, but makes me wonder about the circus. That is why I feel like I need to post about it.

This year was the first year I have ever been to a circus, or at least one that requires a deposit of $30 a ticket. But I honestly do not remember ever attending a circus. When my good friend Shanna and her husband wanted to go we jumped at the chance thinking it was going to be so good for Jack, and it was. He had so much fun and pointed and laughed and sat through most of the show. I did not think much of PETA outside and actually laughed that they were there. In my naive state I always assume people treat animals and people with kindness, but especially animals.

I understand that this book is fiction and I also understand that its also set back in the 1930s. I read the authors questions and answers at the end of the book and she did put some factual things in the book. She did her research, and its scary.  Not only did they mistreat their animals by starving them and leaving them in temperatures that make camels sweat, they would also beat them if they didn't do exactly what they wanted them to. Beat them so badly that it would leave lacerations on their skin. It broke my heart. They also treated their workers like slaves...They were scared for their lives ALL the time. "Red-Lighting" is a term they use and it means they throw people off of a moving train. Most likely they die instantly as you can imagine.

Now I'm positive this does not happen in 2011, but I hope they don't mistreat their animals like they did. I guess I will just have to believe that they do not, just like I have to believe so many other things or I would guilt myself into a depression. Its hard to imagine such horrible things that could and may happen behind doors, when on the outside its beautiful, amazing and yet make so many people happy.

However, the book was an amazing "love" story among several people. I cannot wait to see the movie, but those who know me know that the last movie I actually saw in the theater was Transformers....and I'm not talking about the 2nd one.

http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/youtube_805ae2fc-6c42-11e0-800f-0019bb30f31a.html
Water for Elephants Movie Trailer

Re-living Easter

A perfect,chocolate little hand print on our living room wall  marks the beginning of our Easter this year. This season was filled with new babies, and new phobias. Baby Liam and Caleb joined us to our Easter Egg Hunt in our neighborhood this year. We arrived at the club house around 8:20 am. We were the second family to arrive. They were still putting out breakfast, which Kevin was surprisingly disappointed. He had said me the night before that he wished for sausage, eggs, pancakes...ect. What we got was donuts, danishes, english muffins, and muffins. It was plain sugar. You would think Jackson would be interested in such a spread, but then the Easter Bunny came around. He/she was giving all the children a pencil, which in our case is food for Jack. Jack without blinking once, stared at the Easter Bunny and refused to take the pencil. I took it and he/she went on their merry way. But as for Jack, he clung to me or Kevin for dear life, and did not lose sight of that Evil Bunny. However, I do not blame my child for being a bit frightened of this bunny. I really couldn't believe what I saw either. 

Finally around 9:30/9:45 we went to hunt for eggs. Jack of course didn't really care much. He just wanted to run...away from the E.B. :) Caleb's Easter basket was of course Elmo, and Jack used the one his Auntie Barbie sent him in the mail. The reason I am commenting on the Easter baskets is I had overheard a couple while we were "Easter Picking" say "(My child's name) has by far the best Easter basket here." I'm not sure if they knew I was standing there or if they really cared that I overheard them, but their comment baffled me a little. I always knew some parents were competitive in ways, but really??? Its come to my Easter basket it better than yours? Nevertheless, Jack and Caleb had a ball. Caleb really enjoyed finding the eggs unlike Jack. Baby Liam was sleeping peacefully on his gorgeous, glowing mommy. It was such a beautiful morning, until Jack of course wanted to climb up a hill with me tagging right behind him. A gentlemen who worked there told us we should get down from the hill because it is slippery (it rained all day/night). So when I told Jack we needed to get down, he started to throw his classic temper tantrum.  I picked him up, and I lost my footing, and I  eventually slipped down the hill. A sight to see. Big pregnant lady with toddler throwing a fit in hand falling down a hill. Priceless! The only thing I hurt was my ego. My hair was wet, back stained with mud and grass. I am not the type of person to get embarrassed about things, but this surely tops the list.

He is excited, but its not about finding eggs!

Caleb on a mission. I see a yellow one right there!



Sweet Baby Liam

I of course wanted to leave out carrots for the E.B., but Kevin said it was silly. I just don't know who or what wouldnt be interested in carrots and hummus!  I placed Jack's basket out early and Kevin's too. Jack was thrilled to see his. Kevin got out the video camera and J went for the eggs. I had put marshmallows in them. Lucky kid. He played all morning with his puzzles, cars, and animals. Kevin that is. :)  It was an amazing day that was ended by Jack playing with his green beans at the dinner table. It is still perplexing that I can not for the life of me get my child to eat anything green....except grass.

I LOVE marshmallows!

I love this kid.

These facial expressions never get old. 

Sweet and Sour Dreams

As I'm lying down on this gloomy, rainy day I feel completely exhausted. This trend seems to be sticking around for the last few days. But on this particular afternoon I realize that I am lying in something wet. Yes ladies and gentlemen my drool. #1 I was totally grossed out. #2 Did I even fall asleep for this to happen? Usually what happens is I try to take a nap, but then I hear dogs barking, a noise on the monitor, or thinking of all the stuff I "should" be doing. Why is it so hard to have sweet dreams in the middle of the afternoon?  

As for my sweet Jumping Jack, we have ultimately been working on his big boy room for the last few months. First it was cleaning out the "give all room". Second-painting. Third-putting together all the furniture and making the wall art and head board (yes I made it all myself), Fourth-hanging all the pictures/curtains, ect, and finally making the move to actually make our baby turn into a boy.

On a side note here, back in February when we went to visit Kevin's parents, Jackson decided to use his expertise and climb out of the pack-n-play. It was disastrous. This is how it went:

• Arrival-2am
• Playtime with g-ma and g-pa-2-3am
• Jack getting in and out of the pack-n-play-3-3:45 am......

Kevin put him in we said "nite nite Jack" (I was already in bed) Kevin gets into bed (we are all sharing a room) the next thing we heard was rustling....then Jacks sweet little voice next to the bed saying "Hi Daddy". It took us a minute to realize what just happened. So then it started. Back in the pack n play, out of the pack n play...and so on. He was screaming, I just wanted to give in and let him sleep with us, but my  husband is known for a no nonsense system of NEVER giving in, and he FINALLY went to sleep in his pack n play after probably if I had to guess 40 times of getting out. This happened at every nap time and bedtime while we were there.  When we came home we thought....we need to get him in right away to his big boy bed. We had nothing done to his new room at this point. We were a little scared. So...we arrive back home at midnight this time and guess what...HUGE thud of him jumping out of his very VERY tall crib. But this eventually ended and he luckily only tried it a few more times, which was comforting to me since it is a big drop.

So here we are two months from our initial visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house and we are now making our move. We started on a Friday night. I was dreading this all day. We do our nightly routine, lay him in bed, turn out the lights, and walk out. Not a peep until 7:30 am the next day!! As you can imagine I was up by 6am, and pacing by his door. We were so excited when he finally woke, praising him and kissing him non-stop. Naps and night times have been easy and we are so happy that he was obviously very ready to begin his start of boyhood.

I snapped a quick picture before Jack ran over and started to jump on his bed. :) 

His bulletin board has all pictures of him and his friends playing. He loves to sit up on his dresser (safe I know) and look at them.

A Boy's Boy

It's another day at the O'Hare household and as I look over at Jack while he is laying on the sofa watching one of his favorite shows (Dino Dan, Curious George, Finding Nemo, Ice Age, Bee Movie, Sesame Street to name a few), I have to laugh. The way he is laying is quite funny. I had to take a picture to share. I am wondering what he likes about these shows, and when he laughs at them it makes me melt. When did baby Jack turn into such a boy?? 

He is most definitely a boy. He loves to play with cars. He drives them everywhere. On my head, on the sofa, on the computer keyboard. There is no place where these "off road" vehicles can't go. I realized the other day that I don't think I ever made the "vrooooommmmm noise", but somehow he just started to do it. I think boys are programed. Not to mention my child has no fear. We are enrolled at a children's gym and the teacher is always so impressed with him every week we are there. I believe all of his energy is fine tuning his running, climbing, balancing, and jumping skills.  He JUMPS everywhere. They have this air log (as you can imagine is a giant, long, circular inflated piece of equipment meant to crawl across) that my child climbs up on and jumps across without me holding his hands.  He is wild. He loves to hang from the monkey bars and its only a matter of time that he will be able to do it all by himself. We have so much fun at class every week. It amazes me how he can sit and do activities with the teacher and he gets very proud of himself for doing so.

His MOST favorite place to jump is on ANY sofa he can find.

Going head first is always the appropriate thing to do on EVERYTHING





I have tried countless times to promote coloring, drawing, playing with play dough. Jack has tried countless times to eat the crayons, play dough, and most recently our finger paints.  I want so badly to explore this creative side, but instead he will throw the crayons on the floor and yes, you guessed it JUMP on them.  My most recent mistake being giving a toddler a box of cereal (captain crunch to give a visual). As he proceeded to sit down in the living room, turn the box over spilling all contents on the ground, my first thought was to scream but then I stopped. What did I exactly think he was going to do with that entire box of cereal? Sit nicely and just take what was the appropriate portion for him to eat? Of course he was going to dump it and yes.....JUMP on it. He laughed and I laughed as he crunched the cereal all over my already ruined carpet. He was so proud of himself it was hard not to relish in his fun. And I still find the nerve to complain about my ruined carpet when of course all signs point to me.

I think he is reading the nutrition facts? Too much sodium Jack!



Masterpiece!

I think he has a little bit of the outdoorsy side to him as well. This makes me SUPER happy being a bit of a outdoorsy girl myself. I think we will have a ball camping. He loves bugs. His most recent favorites are the caterpillar and bee (thanks to the Bee Movie). We see caterpillar's everywhere outside and he talks to them, tells them "bye byes" (cutest thing ever) and will leave to run around and come back with a huge smile and point and talk again. I'm just nervous about when he finds his first snake what he will do. But every time my little outdoors boy is outside he just plays in the fire pit (not as bad as it sounds), collects sticks, digs in the dirt, and kicks the ball. He does not like to throw balls....just kick them. I believe soccer is in our future.

I'm so proud of my boy's boy. He is learning so much and loving being wild. I am grateful for how much he loves his mommy and daddy, and how much he loves to cuddle and give "loves" to everything he owns.  Maybe I'm not doing such a bad job after all. :)

Water play!!!

Wrestling and giving "loves". What a combo!



34 Weeks down, 6 to go!

I am officially 34 weeks pregnant. I have been so terrible throughout this entire pregnancy. Not reading any books about the baby's development, not day dreaming all day long about the baby, not reading to baby, not documenting anything, no questions for the doctor, not taking ANY belly photos...oh the list goes on and on. I contribute this to my "not" so baby Jackson.  Let's just take a trip down memory lane for the last 34 weeks and see how this pregnancy has really panned out.

FINDING OUT
I had just returned from the beach. Kevin went to soccer immediately after I came home. I immediately took a PG test. It immediately turned positive. I immediately had tears of joy.

FIRST TRIMESTER
What a difference the word exhaustion means when your body is creating such a miracle, and the miracle you already have does not care. Having bouts of nausea here and there and making sure your toddler is happy is definitely multi-tasking at your best. I will say, I am very happy that my "morning, afternoon, and night sickness" only lasted until about week 9-10. But my exhausted state has decided to stick around permanently.

Whoops! 4 weeks pregnant!

Me, Brittany, and Mel

Beach Trip...About 5 weeks pregnant!

Jackson is preparing to be a BIG Brother.

SECOND TRIMESTER
This all went by so quickly. Over the holidays was very disappointing not to have a glass of wine (okay who are we kidding 14 glasses of wine).  I'm also getting bigger and can not wrestle with Jack anymore. One of the many things I dislike about being pregnant with a toddler at hand. I'm carrying much different than with Jack, and am not gaining as much weight (not by much, a few pounds). We found out on January 3rd we are having a BOY! Kevin thought up until the moment we had the ultrasound it was a girl. We had the ultrasound tech write down on a piece of paper or actually she typed it on the ultrasound picture, and she put it in an envelope.  Kevin and I went out to dinner, just the two of us, to find out! It was very exciting for a few reasons. #1. I can't remember when we had gone out just the two of us. #2. The obvious reason!! We were both so nervous we didn't open it until after we ate our food. We were both so giddy and kept reaching for it and then saying...lets wait a minute. Kevin finally did it, then pushed the envelope over to me. Lets just say there is no mistaking its a boy!!  My mother-in-law thought it was going to be a girl. She kept saying "Its a girl, and she will be calm". I don't know what this will mean for our actual outcome. I guess she was already wrong about the gender, but lets hope she is right about the temperament!

Much Thanks to Michelle for this picture. Here we are at hopefully annual progressive dinner party.

15 weeks pregnant.

The only belly picture I have taken, until now!

20 weeks pregnant or 5 months. :) 

THIRD TRIMESTER
We have finally narrowed down our name. Brecken Vaughn, or Brecken Paul. Both of the middle names named after Kevin's mother Yvonne, or Kevin's grandfather Paul. We decided we needed a one syllable middle name to sound right. We haven't picked either one as of today, but hopefully we will get there... if we ever get to talk over dinner again instead of scarfing our food down so all of us can be "all done" at the same time.

You would think Jack was being sweet, so I will let you think that. 

 Baby Brecken belly at 34 weeks.

Baby Jackson Belly at 34 weeks. Apparently I really like the color brown.

This picture is for you Kim. I know you have been asking for one and I have been avoiding taking one. I know I will appreciate having some sort of documentation someday of these moments, but right now I'm feeling a little consumed by myself.

SURPRISE!
This past weekend was just amazing. My girlfriends had set up a surprise baby shower/lunch for me. I had been telling everyone that I didn't want a shower because I hate being the center of attention and everyone had done so much for me with Jackson, and I didn't think I needed another sprinkle. But to my surprise everyone got together to show me and Baby Brecken so much love. I wonder how I have made such amazing friends and how lucky I am to have each of you in my life. This is a day I will truly never forget. Thank you, Thank you, 10,000 thank you's.

Things I love about being pregnant:
1. People treat you different. Always with a smile.
2. Feeling the baby move. The hiccups, the tightening of the stomach makes me feel like everything is okay.
3. Being blessed with another amazing gift.

Things I hate about being pregnant:
1. People treat you different. Like you can't pick up a grocery bag.
2. Not being able to fit into a small space. It is SO difficult to put Jack in or get him out of his car seat with this belly!
3. No drinks for you! No coffee! No beer! Thanks to you Jackie, O'Douls has saved my life.
4. Not having the energy or the ability to wrestle or rough play (that is all he wants to do) with my child. It makes me so sad.

WAITING...
Now we just wait. Waiting for Kevin to finish all of his projects before baby arrives (poor guy has been working like a dog every weekend since the end of January). Waiting for Jackson to become the best big brother he can be to sweet little baby Breck. Waiting to hold and kiss our newest member of Team O'Hare. And very least, an exciting wait of getting no sleep for weeks on end, but needing to love it because as I have seen with Jack, this too will pass.

10 Years and counting!

Being 17 and having to write down for your yearbook "what will you be doing in 10 years", seems like a no brainer. You can conquer the world. It is so exhilarating to FINALLY be out on your own (because mom and dad are so strict and do not know a thing).  So as you sit down to write this it is initially something silly, meant to make people laugh, or of course the no brainer "married, kids, career"... I'm not exactly sure what mine said, but it was something silly like "eating ranch sandwiches with LeeAnne"... Ohh how I wish that were true! But what I really actually thought was married, kids, career naturally. I never imagined my life really panning out the way it did in the last 10 years. In someways I feel like it was yesterday I was taking the "senic route" or  working at the only fast food place in town "McDonalds" or dreaming of a double wedding with Marie with the then love of my life. But in other ways I feel so old. I just asked Kevin the other day how old I was. Really.... I cannot remember how old I am?? I also question my age while watching tv shows like "American Idol". I used to be the same age as these contestants...well that is all changing quickly too.  I come from a small town in Montana that has 1 stop light, what seems like 32 bars, 2 gas stations, and 2 grocery stores. I have such a love for my hometown. The second I drive into DL I get a rush of old memories...with the smell, the shock factor of what is new or what has closed down, and people who you are dying to run into but would never admit it. Its a feeling I know I will have forever. This June our "10-year-reunion" is taking place. Facebook of course has made all of this planning easier I'm sure of it as it has for the "shock factor" of what everyone is doing or looks like. All of this is making me take yet another trip down memory lane...of course always remembering the good and forgetting the bad. I will not be attending as I will have another life changing event happen just a few weeks before. I just can not believe it has been 10 years, however it makes me smile for what I have accomplished in 10 years. The growing up I have done, and looking forward to the growing up I still need to do. Life is so much harder than I thought it was at age 17, and it is so much more rewarding too. I will admit, I do have days I wish I was 17 again with my biggest worry being "I hope mom doesnt know what time I got in last night"....



This was at my wedding 5 short years after highschool with my girls!
 LeeAnne, Carrie, Me, Brittany, Amanda, and Barbie Doll. 



 This is just right outside of DL overlooking some of the big metropolis.

A couple of reasons I love this picture.

#1. I look like I'm breastfeeding.

#2. It was LeeAnne's Wedding 2 years ago Sept.

#3. It's not often enough I get to see these girls let alone these boys!!

Me, Jack :), Amanda, Barb, Brittany, Caleb, and Bret

 Jackson fits right in, in DL with his best buddy Ryder Roo. Ryder told me "Krissy...he's cute"

 The four of us back together again! Does someone have a confession?
Amanda, Marie, Me, LeeAnne

Kevin also fits right in, in the Big City. 

Nice days are limited.

I think I say the phrase "not nice" about 124,980 times a day.  Its usually when Jack is hitting Ziki, or dumping his cereal all over the floor or better yet dumping his water or milk on the coffee table to make a make-shift water table....this is a daily basis in our household. I did not think in my pre-mommy days that I would have "not nice" furniture anymore, or "not nice" carpet, or even "not nice" clothes. My lovely coffee table is all bubbled up from spilled drinks, side table scratched by a rock (its fun to play with rocks as if they are toy cars), carpet after one year is completely trashed...... If its not Ziki, its Jack..and if its not Jack ironically its me. When did my life become such a "not nice" affair? I guess I'm thankful that my future days of rough housing where I get holes in my walls are hopefully far away.

 Jack making his BEST not nice face. This look usually has a little talk attitude along with it. It very hard not to smile and laugh at him when he does it, but the cuteness of this is also fading away quickly. He  most definitely did not get this attribute from his father. I wish I could blame him....for SOMETHING! :)

Today however, was a NICE day. Not because Jack was being so kind, but because we had a wonderful "Easter Picking" as Jack's BFF named Ms. Molly likes to call it, with our very pregnant and a couple not so pregnant playgroup. Jack and I got up early (okay not really by choice of the Easter Picking, but because 6am is a very good time for dogs to bark and for babies to wake up) and made cupcakes, and got everything ready for our party. We laid out Easter Eggs before 9:30am and by 10am most of the chocolate was melted. Not that I would have thought to check, but Jack thought it would be a great idea to start opening all the eggs and dumping its contents on the ground. Double work for mom, double fun for Jack. 

Mom and Jack working hard on dying Easter Eggs...

So much fun, so much frosting, and a few broken, yet hard boiled, eggs. Its great to be apart of such a great playgroup and the kids have become all such good friends, not to mention the adults too. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful event. Jack was worn out by the time everyone left, he went to bed without any lunch.

 Caleb is so silly with the pail on his head. Jack thinks he is hilarious!!

 Don't you think that basket is a little big Jack??

 All musical prodigies...

 Kaden and Gray Bay ready to rock and roll. Kaden had special eggs to pick since he is such a BIG boy.

 My beautiful little Irish girl Teagan.

 Caleb LOVED searching for eggs, but I think he liked watching the worker B's next store even more.

 Sweet Elsa making sure no one else took her goodies.

  

Wait Jack! You dropped your basket!

 

                                                      All the Easter baskets all in a row.