My least favorite "words" that aren't even actual words

Sticktoitiveness. Flustrated.

What non-words drive you crazy?

Just a couple things I'm thankful for. . .

Even on the toughest of days, I am so thankful for my little boys. Our life was blissfully self centered and dull without them! Here is Eli enjoying his first Thanksgiving, with a traditional meal of pureed sweet potatoes.

I'm just thankful that Micah's feeding himself!

We went to the Mullers today for a wonderful meal and fun time with family. The kids enjoy each other so much! Miraculously, we got them all 4 lined up for a picture. The only thing missing is a little squirmy Kyler right in the middle!

Here is Lauren (almost 4), Micah (age 2), Eli (7 months), and Meredith (3 months).

Name That Tune?!!?

One thing I love about my eldest son

He is OBSERVANT.

Micah and I had a wonderful time last night at Indianola's winter holiday event on the square. We looked at window displays, bounced in the bounce house, and saw a life-sized gingerbread man. We then watched a lighted Christmas parade! And he noticed and commented on EVERYTHING we saw. He picked out the different colored flashing lights on the police car. He didn't just see the manhole cover; he saw: "Circle!!" He didn't see just a float; he saw: "Tractor! Red! Snowman! People! Pretty Lights!" Translation: a red tractor covered in lights pulling a wagon with an inflatable snowman and some kids. He even noticed the letter "A" in the sawhorse roadblock frames at the end of the street.

Micah is just always so aware of everything that's going on around him. This is what makes him sensitive and sometimes overwhelmed, but it can be such a strength of his too.

Things I Never Thought I'd Say

"Micah, don't dip your brother in the ketchup."

7 Months: Eli vs. Micah

I'm sure you can guess which one is which boy, right?

Creepy Crawly

Micah's organized toy groupings, beware.
Little brother is coming to get you soon.

Why exactly did we have 2 kids so close in age?

Oh yeah, THIS is why.

Micah's Pumpkin

This huge pumpkin is from my parents. Micah found it in their garden when he visited them in late summer, so he got to keep it! Loco even checked it out. . . albeit relunctantly.

Ahh, Eli and the mysterious arm. . .

Sorry, kid. Not on our income.

His Father's Son

This morning, Micah paid tribute to his Daddy's favorite TV show by jumping on the couch and yelling, "Moops! Moors! Moops! Moors!"

Yea for me!!

I am very proud to report that I just removed a splinter from my own finger. I know, this may not be that big a deal for most (OK, maybe all) of you, but I have an unnerving fear of splinters and, even worse, having them removed. I can still remember the last splinter I got in my foot. It was probably 8-9 years ago and I drove over to my friend in med school's house (aka Sandeep for you IC readers) so he could remove it. I still shiver just thinking about it. . .

What about you - what's your crazy fear?

Get ready, Simon Cowell. . .

. . . because Micah Bardwell IS the next American Idol.

Just ignore his brother's prune-smeared face.