In Case You Were Wondering...

This is what life is like on a typical morning with three boys...

*This was taken during a rare get-together at Auntie Beth's house as part of our infmaous stay at the Glodo Infirmary. I apologize for the lack of subtitles to translate the toddler-speak. I can almost always tell you what Cade is saying but have a little trouble amidst all this chaos! I can tell you that yes, he did refer to me as Debbie at one point. He often mistakes my mom and me for each other and I'm really not sure why as I look nor act nothing like my mother. *wink, wink* But really, this kid could say absolutely nothing and still be so darn cute!

Welcome to the Island of Sodor!

The Island of Sodor (home of Thomas, for those of you not in the know) has been seeing a lot more action in the Muhs household. This would be due to the fact that we finally moved it out of Owen's room, where it was loved, to the still partially-unfinished finished basement, where it is loved even more. (And yes, we are working on the partially unfinished parts. Really, who would we be if we got any project on our house done is less than a year?) Uncle Jay made this table for Owen and he thinks it's the greatest thing he's ever seen. He looks at it with wonder and says, "It's my Island of Sodor table!!!" There is even a budding, young conductor who often gets in on the action as well. Though this action usually consists of taking trains from the more experienced conductor while he is right in the middle of acting out a very important job on the Island. Owen is actually really good about sharing it with Cameron and Cameron loves putting the trains on the bridge and saying, "Wheee!" when they go down the hill. He has even, on a few rare occasions, let out a "Choo choo!" as his train chugs along the track. We're still working on that though.

Joe Gu

As I mentioned earlier, we made the trek (an otherwise short, 4-hour drive can only be called a trek when you take 2 whiny children and a dog that has to be tranquilized, and even then is still whinier than the children, along with you) to Bolingbrook last weekend. Our main reason for going, other than the usual frantic trips around the suburbs to visit various family members in the short amount of time allotted, was to attend a benefit for our good friend Joey who was badly injured in a car accident last October. Before his accident Joey played bass in a band called Bon Voyage, an AC/DC tribute band. The other members of the band, along with help from the Dickhead Choppers Organization, organized the entire event which ran from 2pm to 12am.

Cody and I were completely amazed by the entire thing. The amount of time and work they all put into the day was unbelieveable and it truly paid off. They had countless raffles and an auction, all with goods that were donated. On top of being an awesome bassist, Joey is also a very talented artist. So they had a silent auction of many of his pieces he had done in the past. I am sorry to say that we did not score one of those but I'm hoping that since we have an "in" we will someday own a JoeGu orginal! They had various bands playing throughout the day, along with all you could eat and drink. Cody and I just couldn't stop talking about how great everything was and how it far exceeded any expectations we had of it.

Joe's band was, of course, the last band to go on. Right before they took the stage they directed our attention to a TV they had perched on top of a speaker. Seconds later we were watching a video of Joey himself introducing his band. He wanted to be there so badly but he is concentrating on his rehab right now and wasn't able to make it. So this video was certainly the next best thing! I can safely say that you would be hard-pressed to find a dry eye in the house as we watched him. It was wonderful to be able to see him and hear him and he looked really great.

Bon Voyage rocked the house and the crowd went crazy with numerous chants of, "Joe Gu, Joe Gu!" which is Joey's nickname (a combo of his first and last name) among friends. My husband is still hoarse 3 days later from all the chanting! The night was full of inspiration and hope and we feel so blessed to have even been a small part of such a great thing. I only wish I had taken my camera with me and captured some of it on film.

My hope is that the next time I see Bon Voyage, Joey will playing right along with them. You can bet that I will definitely capture that moment on film. We love you, Joe! Keep on rockin'!

It Really is 20/20

This morning I went to get Cameron up for the day and found him sitting in his crib in his own vomit. This would explain the moaning and crying he was doing in his sleep last night, which I attributed to other things in my sleepy stupor and thus, did not go to him. Of course, I felt horrible but I set down my "Worst Mother of the Year" award*, plucked him out, and got him in the tub. He seemed to be in a good mood so I thought that maybe this was all due to the fact that we were traveling home from Gramma's last night and we pumped him full of snacks because he was crabby during the ride. Hindsight, of course, tells me that he was crabby for a reason, but I digress.


After I gave him a bath, I went to get a towel, which was literally 1 step and 1 second away from the bathtub. I turned around to see Cameron bending over the tub, sliding out head first. I caught his slippery legs so that he didn't do a complete face plant into the floor but his head still hit. Luckily it hit the rug instead of directly on the ceramic tile. Finding it difficult to hold a wet, slippery, screaming child all while holding my prestigious award, I once again set it down and did my best to calm him down and dry him off.


Still thinking the puking was due to the whole give-him-whatever-he-wants-to-make-him-happy car ride, I fed him some breakfast. He didn't eat much of it, which I thought might mean he had the flu but he was still in a decent mood. He continued to play and whine throughout the morning. But was he whining because he was sick, because he slept horribly because he was covered in his own vomit, or because his loving mother dropped him on his head? Again, in hindsight I really should have figured out the answer to this question much earlier than I did.

It was only after I fed him some crackers and pears for lunch, all of which he projectile-vomited nearly instantly after he ate it, that I came to the conclusion that he was, indeed, sick. So off to the tub we went again, where I spent the next 10 minutes trying to peel the icky clothes off him while I repeatedly yelled at Owen to stay away because I didn't want to have to deal with TWO sick kids.

He was a happy little camper in the tub and seemed to forget the tragedy which occured in there just 4 hours earlier--clearly one of my favorite things about kids. He took a nearly 4 hour nap (another fave of mine) and was even happy and smiling when he woke up! I am hoping that we have seen the worst of it and things will only go up from here.

*This is an imaginary award that my 2 best friends and I jokingly pass around to each other every time we do something that makes us feel like a bad mom. Not that I wish bad mothering on any woman, or any child for that matter, but I can safely say that after today I am ready to pass the award back to one of them for awhile.

Cash in a Dress and Other Murphysboro Gems

I really don't think I need to remind you all at this point of my "better late than never" mantra so let's just get on with the post. While we were in the 'boro in February we had Cash's Baptism, where Cody and I were asked to serve as his Godparents. We felt so honored to be part of his special day and look forward to guiding him spiritually as he grows.

If I remember correctly, he didn't even wince when the water hit his head.

Proud Parents and Godparents with Cash and Fr. Gary

The Godparents with our adorable Godchild. I hadn't realized until just now how incredibly tired Cody looks in these pictures! He woke up at 4am on Saturday in order to drive to the 'boro. We had a late date night, it being Valentine's Day and all, so I guess by the time Sunday hit we were lucky that we didn't need to dunk his head in the Baptismal Font.

We were able to get a picture with G'ma and G'pa with the older grandkids right before the Glodos went back home. Alas, Cameron could not muster up the patience to sit with them and had to be whisked off to naptime. Cameron lacking, I still think it's a pretty good picture!

And for those of you wondering, yes, my brother was in town for the event, as evidenced by this cheery picture. I'm pretty sure Owen or Maddy must have taken this because I don't recall doing it. Not bad!

Wow, Wow, Everyone!

There is a show on Nick called "Wow, Wow, Wubbzy!" It is Owen's favorite as of late so we decided together that a Wubbzy cake was in order for his birthday this year. I looked on line and found some easy directions to make one. I was putting the finishing touches on it right as they were getting home from the arcade and just scratched an "Owen" and a "4" on it. Had I thought about it for more than 2 seconds I would have taken the time to write something a little more clever. Or at least something that included the words Happy Birthday. Oh well. He liked it and I guess that's all that matters. So here it is:

He then informed us that we needed candles and there should be four. Then he said, "Now you should sing to me."

After Cameron woke up from his shorter-than-normal nap (naturally) we went out to eat at Owen's favorite restaurant, Okoboji Grill. He had a ball when they sang to him:

For some reason, Owen has had an obsession with this Disabled Parking sign in their parking lot. When he was around 2 he used to just stop and inspect it every time we went there. Then one time I took his picture standing by it on my cell phone. Now every time we go there he wants me to take his picture in front of him. It was his birthday so I obliged.

I believe that concludes our whirlwind tour of Owen's 4th birthday. Stops that weren't captured on film but still noteable include: the bike that Mommy and Daddy got him which he got on in the house but when asked if he wanted to take it outside and ride it he replied, "No, I'll just stay in the house."; Owen asking us repeatedly throughout the day if his birthday was over. We finally told him it was over when he went to bed that night. When he got in bed he said, "Now, my birthday is over."; and finally, his repeated attempts to inform us that although he is now 4, he will be 5 next March. And who says he doesn't live in the moment?

Birthday Fun

We took Owen to a place in Des Moines called All Play, which is basically like a Dave and Buster's.

They have a mini-bowling game that Owen loved. He still had a hard time getting the ball down the lane but with the help of bumper bars and a little time, he really started to get the hang of it.

This is his "strike" pose. He would yell, "I got a strike!" like this nearly every time he bowled. I don't think he ever actually got one, but he didn't care.

Cam sat in his stroller snacking and quietly observing while Owen bowled. He was so good! I'm pretty sure he's storing nuts for the winter in those cheeks! ;)

The merry-go-round that went round and round forever! We really got our money's worth on that one!

Cameron wasn't sure what to make of it. He got on, wanted off, got back on, tolerated it a bit, then quickly wanted off again.

Owen the Strong Man!

One of his faves, "Deal or No Deal"

Daddy and I took turns walking around with Cameron. This is one of his favorite things to do these days, although I think he's pretty far off from walking on his own.

We ate lunch while we were there and then Cameron and Mommy headed home for naptime while the big boys stayed and played some more. They ended up with 700 tickets which amounted to massive amounts of crap toys that we don't need but are sure to be noticed if they are put in the trash. Nevertheless, we had a great time and the boys were on their best behavior, for the most part. And you really can't ask for more than that! I finished up Owen's cake once I got Cameron down for his nap so stay tuned for cake pics and dinner out at Owen's favorite restaurant. That's right, folks, the fun's not over yet!

Big Bubba Turns 4!!

We had an action-packed weekend at the Muhs household, which is why I'm just getting around to posting for Owen's birthday. Saturday was his big day and we started the morning off opening gifts that family members sent him. He was so excited when he woke up and saw all the packages waiting for him downstairs! I wanted to post pictures of him opening them all since the gift-givers didn't get to see first-hand.

Opening Auntie Gaye & Uncle Jay's gift.

They got him the above Thomas DVD, Thomas underwear, and a Thomas book. Apparently, they are well aware of his love of Thomas. ;) And love it, he did!

Opening a gift from G'ma & G'pa Glodo. They sent him some cool t-shirts, a Cars towel that he adored, and money!

I had to take a picture of this. He stacked his gifts like this all by himself after he opened them. Just like his daddy. ;)

Spencer the train from the Brooks Bunch--a big hit!

Puzzles and books from Gramma Lynn. These are 2 of Owen's favorite things right now. He is starting to read on his own and is able to read some of the first reader books she got him. And the puzzle is a 100 piece 4-foot floor puzzle. We all had a good time with that!

We had to wait until later in the day to open Grampa Gary and Gramma Linda's gift. Cody had taken it out of the box and assembled it the night before and we hid it in the garage under a blanket.

And this is what it is! It's called a KettCar. It's pretty cool and he loves it! The seat slides so he will be able to ride it until he's about 8 or 9. His favorite part is that handle on the right side, which are the breaks. I think it's so cool that I have now made it my goal to lose enough weight to meet the weight limit on it so I can try it out. I'll keep you posted.

He also opened some lovely cards from friends and family that morning. Then we headed out for a day of family fun! I will do pictures of that in another post. Stay tuned for lots more birthday madness!

Right Wing Man

My conversation with Owen this morning:

"Owen, what would you like for breakfast?"

"Do you have any cinnamon rolls?"

"No, I don't. I have some leftover pancakes. Would you like those?"

"No. I want right over pancakes."

A few hours later we had this encounter:

"Owen, let me show you a trick with your hands. Hold up your left hand....what letter does your thumb and finger make?"

"It's an 'L'!"

"That's right. So if you always look at your hands like that you will know that the one that makes the 'L' is your left hand."

"Can you show me how to make an 'R' with my right hand?"

The Wait is Over!

Ok, so I finally made my way down to the basement to put up a post with pictures. However, I forgot to bring the camera down with me to upload the current ones I have. Then I remembered that I never posted pictures of our trip to visit the fam in Bolingbrook, which is nice for me because now I don't have to go back up to find the camera!

Gramma Lynn reading to Owen and Luca, one of their favorite things to do together. I'm not sure where Cameron will sit when he is ready to join in on the fun but I'm certain Gramma will find room! I can't get over how old Luca looks in this pic!

Look closely at Owen's left ear. Only at Grampa Gary's. (don't worry, it's not real.)

Cam checking out his crazy Grampa. He never knows what to think of him, but he is never scared of him. He just kind of stares at him in wonder. Which, really, is not that much different than how most people look at him. ;)

Grampa and Gramma Linda with the kiddos. Yes, Owen did take off his coat while we were there! We just took these right before we were heading out the door.

Cody doing his best Elton John impersonation. "C-C-C Cody and the jets!"

I am excited to report that we are headed back east in just a few weeks. They are having a benefit for Joey, our good friend who was injured in a car accident in October. I am also excited to report that Joey is doing well and just moved to an awesome rehab center. He has a long road ahead of him but he seems like he is motivated and up for the challenge. Way to go, Joey! Until next time, folks...