Me to a T...

So, Kira has this name thing on her blog and I did it and it think it is amazingly accurate as well... creepy.

What Shannon Means

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

JEANS.

I am so excited! I have a new pair of jeans!! Now, to the rest of the world, this may seem trivial, however, let me explain. I fully believe that a good pair of pants (regardless of the fabric content) can make or break a person. Do you know what I mean? Don't you ladies out there all have an "old lady" pair (sorry old ladies) that go up really high and taper at the legs?? Don't wear those. :-) And... don't you have somewhere in your closet a pair of pants that you LOVE and look super cute in??

Well, first let me preface this entry with the fact that I am a huge fan of thrift stores. I contribute to them and shop at them as well. I have found many a good pair of pants there. HOWEVER, did you realize that stores make jeans in our sizes with the right inseam lengths that don't have to be hemmed?? I learned that for the first time about 2 years ago right after I had Levi. My friend, Wires, gave me a gift card to Kohls and I spent it all on my first pair of jeans that were the right length and fit me too and looked cute! At the time I felt like it was a waste of money. I am sure that if I spent enough time in a thrift store, I would find a similar pair of jeans... the time that would take would be a little too long. Well, since those purchases at Kohls, I have not bought any more jeans at regular price at a non-thrift store. UNTIL TODAY!!!

I am so excited because I got a pair about two weeks ago at the thrift store...transitional pants to help pass the time as I whittle my waist down to my previous size clothes... I have 25 pounds to go. Ugh. Well, the jeans I got and was excited about have a slight problem with the zipper... it won't stay up. That does make it a problem to go in public with. I know I could pin it or something, but then I will feel frumpy or whatnot.

Well, (this is a long story, I realize, but it seriously means a lot to me). After explaining all this to my husband, who happens to be fabulous and probably just wants his emotional post partum wife to be happy, I headed off to the store to purchase a pair of jeans. Yay!! I won't tell you the brand, the size, or the cost (because none are relevant). All that matters is that they are my size, the right length and I don't feel huge or frumpy. (Two essentials after having a kid!)

May you all someday experience this joy if you haven't already. It's a good day!

Box Seats for "The Wiggles" Live!

I (sadly) forgot my camera for our family day to see the Wiggles, live in concert! Certainly a 2 year old's dream come true. There were plenty of children and parents at this show. AND... everyone sang along and danced. (We knew most of the songs).

Orginally Matt bought two tickets to the Wiggles so that he and Levi could go and bond together after Dylan came so that Levi would feel special. It was a good plan which I fully supported. Well, the day of the show, a vendor for Matt's company gave him free box seat tickets to see the same show. So, Levi, Matt, Dylan and I, as well as the Levi's little friend, Sariah, went to the show!!

Box seats are way better than regular seats! We got unlimited free food and soda! Levi enjoyed the hotdogs, popcorn and cookies. The seats were better too and how nice that we could make a fieldtrip out of it. I enjoyed the show because it was so fun to see Matt dancing!! AND, Levi and Sariah, were having a great time and were so excited. There were ballet dancers (yes, at a Wiggles show) and they were beautiful. There was something for everyone!

(Except Dylan, but he slept through the whole thing)...

Brilliant idea, Matt! Thanks for taking our family!

When I asked Levi how he liked the show he said "We were eating food." (True)

He also said, "They danced and they singed and I saw Captain Feathersword."

"Mom, get the Wiggles back to me!"

All photos are from www.thewiggleshop.com (they are copyrighted).

Having fun!

I just wanted to show you how cute our little guy is. He he he...

Wow.

Kudos to everyone out there who has more than one child. How the HECK do you do it?????? Any advice with what to do with an almost 3 year old who is very jealous, won't listen AT ALL, and has to be sent to time out like 5 times an hour???

I don't know how you all manage it and I admire you for it. Sheeesh... a full time job out of the home is far easier than actually staying home. I commend you all!! Mothers should be making millions of dollars (or at least getting eternal rewards for doing their best with these sweet little kids).

Don't get me wrong, I ADORE my children (wow, I have "children"...) However, it is simply amazing how anyone can balance it all. AND, if you keep your sanity... even more amazing.

Easter

Levi went to the neighbors house to decorate easter eggs. He had a most fabulous time and told me about each egg when he came home. I am so glad he had a fun adventure decorating eggs!
Levi's eggs.
The above picture is Levi looking for his easter basket. I said "where is it?" He said, "I don't know". It was cute.
Our boys matching and on their way to church!

Dylan's Room

Just wanted to show you the cute bedding my mom and I made for my little person. There are curtains and valances and picture frames and a piggy bank to match, but that's a lot of pictures. It's a doggy theme, in case you were wondering!

Giving Dylan a Bed

We bought bunk beds and wanted Levi to give up his crib/toddler bed for Dylan. However, we didn't just want to take it from him and feel as if Dylan gets everything. So, one day I told Levi that Dylan didn't have a bed to sleep in. He said that Dylan could sleep on the top of the bunk bed. (!!!) We then discussed why that wouldn't work. A few days later, I asked Levi if he knew of a bed that Dylan could have. He said "yes" and pointed at his toddler bed. I double checked to make sure he was really okay with giving his little bed to Dylan and he was. The next day Levi helped Daddy take apart the little bed for Dylan.

All in all, it worked out wonderfully except for that night when Levi decided he didn't want to sleep in the big boy bed and instead wanted his little bed. It was hard. Then he tried to climb into the crib since it was "his bed". I guess we still have some work to do. Oh well.

Big brother Levi!

Oh Mom! It's Dylan.
It was so cute watching Levi meet Dylan. Levi was very excited and little nervous.

Welcome Baby Dylan!!

In case you were wondering, we had our baby early! I have tried 5 times now to download more pictures and it isn't working, so more will come later. Dylan was born on March 5 at 8:56pm and was 7 lbs. 12 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. His head was 13 1/2 inches around (compared to Levi's whose was 17 1/2... It's a big difference!) Cute little guy is super quiet and sleeps a lot and eats a little. He has Matt's hair and ears, my nose and some of Levi's features too. Oh ya... and Matt's toes and fingers. He is absolutely perfect (in my professional Shannon opinion). We are happy!

Playing with Friends

We had the pleasure of having two of Levi's friends over for a few hours yesterday. It was certainly easier watching 3 kids versus 2. (Don't ask me why... maybe because when they got tired of one friend they went to another...?!???) Anyhow, it was super fun with all the toys out and playing outside for an hour. They were so tired after all the running around outside. It was cute.


I love this picture!! Don't you like Levi's flowers?? Mostly he brought me the yellow part and not the stems, but I appreciated the thought. Adorable kids!!

Aaaaahhhhh!

Little Levi thinks that he doesn't need naps anymore. Believe me.... he does. We all need him to take a nap. Anyhow, doesn't he look so adorable?? I just love watching kids sleep and it's so nice to have the break too. I am sure that every mother out there understands this!!