We Will Miss You, Grandma!

Can You Say Frustration?

Cade can now say a ton of words.

When I say ton, I mean many new words. He is just 20 months old, so he is obviously NOT speaking in complete sentences. Or even really putting two words together. He will say "Love you" if you smile at him sweetly (offer him M&Ms) and say, "say, I love you" to him. It really isn't understandable unless you know what he is trying to say, but it melts my heart just the same.

So, Cade's vocabulary has increased greatly. He is now able to convey what he wants for the most part. But there are times when he says something and I have NO clue what he wants or what he is trying to say. Those are the times that he has breakdowns. Full on temper tantrums. Throw yourself on the floor while screaming and lashing out at anything within your reach. It is frustrating for him. And for whoever is trying to understand him. But, this too shall pass. RIGHT? Please don't tell me that it just goes down hill from here. Please.

We were playing at my Mom's today. Cade wanted something to sweep the rocks with. He went into the garage and was looking at the big brooms. My Mom told Cade that those were not for him. She handed him a little hand-held brush perfect for his size. You should've seen the look he had on his face. I swear he looked exasperated. Like a teenager would. Like, this is SO not what I wanted, but if this is all you will give me, then fine. It was amazing. A little funny, but also terrifying. If he is like this at 20 months, what will he be like at 15? AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a list of Cade's vocab. I am sure I have missed some words, but kind of fun to see what he is saying for all of those who don't get to hear him often.

• Octopus
• Baby
• Nuk (his pacifier)
• Juice
• Milk
• Cheese
• Nana (as in banana and my Mom )
• Ball
• Pool
• Teeth
• Bath
• Bird
• Dog
• Fish
• Mommy
• Daddy
• Ready
• Bowl
• Go
• Up
• Down
• Hi
• Bye
• Duck
• Manny (As in Handy Manny--if you don't know, watch more Disney!)
• Elmo
• Bop Bops (as in the Doodlebops (again, watch Disney) and one of his toys)
• Pooh (As in Winnie-the, not feces)
• Hot dog (as in the song from Mickey Mouse Club House...hot dog, hot dog, hot diggety dog--not sure Cade knows that it is a food)
• Ball
• Shoes
• Shark
• Bubbles
• Book
• Walk

The Beloved Ottoman

We got our new ottoman last week.

Cade has so many toys that they don't all fit in there, but it will encourage me to sort through the toys and pull some out that he doesn't play with anymore. It is just pretty cool. Cade seems to like it. He liked it better when it was empty and we put him in it. Don't worry. We took him out. Eventually...

User Error

Despite the evil sewing machine that I have yet to make work twice in a row, I have finished two pillows.

The fabric that I got in Hawaii has actually been used and turned into two throw pillows. There will be four pillows eventually, but the sewing machine and I are still at odds. I apparently didn't really break it while mom was gone, but every time I sew something it works once and then I have to fix it. I am getting much better at fixing the bobbin and re-threading the needle, but I tell you, this sewing machine HATES me!





That reminds me of a story from Hawaii. Mom and Dad were in the room next to us at the resort. Apparently, they had a possessed alarm clock. Dad swore he turned it off so that the alarm wouldn't go off, but it would --several times a night starting at like midnight. After several nights of this happening, Dad eventually just unplugged it. I think they half expected it still to go off even unplugged. You would think it would've stopped working after Dad threw it! It was funny to Jim and I. Not so much to Mom and Dad.





Anyway...





Here are the pictures of my finished pillows. You can see that Cade loves them! I do to. Just wish it didn't take me hours to sew one side!

It's Only April

Our air conditioning in the house is on.

It has been in the 90's the last few days here and the temperature in our house hit the mid 80's. Just a little warm for our taste. So, we turned the air on. It is ONLY April. Gonna be a llllllooooonnnnnggggg summer paying for that AC. Welcome to Arizona! If you read my brothers' blogs (either one) they will tell you that living in AZ is like living on the surface of the sun....or in Hell. It really isn't that bad most of the time, but it is pretty toasty.

Even though the weather has warmed up, our pool hasn't. Still pretty chilly. Usually takes a month of the warmer weather to heat up the water. Eventually our pool will hit like 90+ degrees--and then it is more like a bath than a swimming pool. However, at that point it is usually like 110 degrees and then 90 degree water feels refreshing. It is all relative.

Because our pool is still too cold to be in, I bought Cade a water mat/kiddie pool to play in since he loves the water and loves being outside. He LOVES it. So, even though it is ONLY April, we are already outside playing like it is summer. In fact, the concrete is already burning our feet! No more running to take the trash out without shoes! Here are some pictures of Cade playing in his little pool. Yes, he is fully clothed. He was too excited to wait to put his bathing suit on. Enjoy!

Just To Let You Know I Am Around

I haven't been ignoring you.

Well, not intentionally anyway.

Things have just been crazy. My Grandma is not doing well and I am scared each time the phone rings that it will be someone telling me she has passed away. I was talking to my older brother and I realized that we will not just be mourning the loss of our Grandmother--but a loss of our Grandma's house and all of the nostalgia attached to it.

I have such fond memories of time spent at my Grandma's house. From the fiber optic lamp down in the basement...to the flashlight tag that we would play at dusk. My Grandma has books and toys (ever play the board game Careers ?) and would play cards with us for hours. She taught us King's Corners and Cribbage. She is the queen of Jumbles, the best cookies in the world.

I think Grandma is ready to go to Heaven. Doesn't mean the rest of us are ready to let her go...That is the tough part about death.

On another note, here is the link to some of the Hawaii scrapbook pages I have finished. There are like 4 different Hawaii albums..make sure you click on view all albums to see all that there is if you are interested.

http://www.scrapbookflair.com/chmorales

The Spinning Wheel...

I got fabric while in Hawaii.

Mom pointed out that my living room is kind of dark now with dark brown furniture and curtains. She suggested getting some fabric to make some throw pillows to brighten up the room a little. So while in Hawaii, I found some beautiful Hawaiian fabric to make the pillows.

I was excited to get started on them so I was bummed when Mom and Dad had to leave to go to NY. I thought to myself...I can do this! I have made a couple of pillows with Mom. I know the basic concepts. I became anxious to get started even though Mom wasn't here to help me. So Cade and I ran to JoAnns to get the pillow forms and plain fabric for the pillow backs.

We headed over to Mom's and let ourselves in. Cade ran around out back throwing golf balls while I cut the fabric. I got out Mom's sewing machine. I made sure everything was set the way it always looks when Mom sets it up.

I lift up the foot, place my fabric, lower the foot back down. I press down on the foot pedal to make the sewing machine sew. It sounded like it was working! I was so excited! I went forward several stitches then back to make a good strong corner...I went forward again and after a few seconds realized that it was NOT working. I looked at my fabric and there were holes from the needle, but it was NOT sewn together. I removed my fabric.

There was a huge knot of thread coming up from the bottom of the machine. How did that happen? Who knows? So, I thought to myself, I can fix this. I opened the secret doors and pulled parts out that I am not sure are supposed to come out. Then, I couldn't get them back in. I started to panic at this point. I tried to remain calm while putting the sewing machine back together all while keeping one eye on my child who was wandering through the house.

I got the parts that I removed back in and fixed the thread that comes up from the bottom. I thought that I would try it one more time. Everything looked good. I got my fabric ready to start, pressed the pedal to go and...

SNAP!

I stopped immediately. What was that noise? It was the plastic rod that held the spool of thread snapping off! I was horrified. In fact, I am still horrified.

I am apparently more than sewing machine deficient. I just should not touch them. Every time I do, something goes drastically wrong. So, I am thinking that I might offer Mom some money to finish (okay...start and finish) my pillows. It would be better for my pillows...and obviously a LOT better for her sewing machine. Which I may have to replace. Or super glue.

A Little Overwhelmed

So much is going on.

I have been feeling a little overwhelmed. So much so that it seems like it would take way too much energy to blog.

My parents are still in NY with my Grandma. She has left the hospital to go home refusing any more treatments or tests. Grandma will have 24 hour nursing care and daily visits from hospice. My heart is breaking. I am very worried about my older brother who seems to be finding this news hard to deal with. I just wish we lived closer so I could be support for him. I am terrified about what this is doing to my Dad...I am missing my mom and worried about her being cold and miserable in NY.


Cade is sick. High fever. Not sleeping. Not eating. Pretty happy considering though. Doctor says it is just a virus that will run its course. Ughh...


I have been really concerned about a good friend who is dealing with a family member battling drug addiction and depression. His illness has been very hard on her. My heart hurts for her as she battles daily with him. Her ability to cope and be strong amazes me as always.

A little tension at work goes a long way. But hopefully we have cleared the air regarding that.


My sister-in-law and family are coping with the death of her grandfather...and good friends of ours are coping with the death of an aunt and the diagnosis of cancer for her surviving husband. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

Just seems like so much is going. Love to everyone!

Storage for Toys...or Child

Jim and I bought furniture yesterday.

I am very sick of our living room looking like ToysRUs threw up in it. Cade's toys have outgrown the nice canvas baskets I bought to contain them. So...I have been on a hunt to find something, anything to help organize them.





Jim and I went to several stores and nothing caught my eye at all. Until this:

It is technically an ottoman. But, it will replace our coffee table. And the brown leather matches perfectly to our semi-new couch/ love seat. Each square has storage under the lid...and each square can flip to be the hard-sided tray or the soft leather side. It is just unique. Of course, I have to wait 2-4 weeks before we can pick it up, but I can wait. Maybe.... I figure if Cade's toys don't fit in there, then we will just put him in there. Solve all the problems. I jokingly said that to the guy at the salesroom...and he said he would watch for me on the news! It was a joke....and besides, I wouldn't get caught :-)

In the midst of buying furniture, we also had to help my parents get out of Dodge. My Aunt called yesterday from New York and my Grandma is not doing well at all. My parents left last night to go to NY to see her. I am praying...not sure what to pray for though. I guess release from pain and discomfort for my Grandma and strength for her and my family. Keep us in your thoughts.