Poo-tastrophe

So I realize that my blog has basically been a dumping ground for photos, and I rarely post anything other than pictures. Like I have a ton of free to just sit and type. But lately all my funny stories have been told over the phone. So I decided I would try to make a better effort of sharing this information with everyone. After all, this is supposed to be your one-stop-shop for Dyer family news.

So let me tell you a little about my day today - good times. My dog ate an entire bar of Cetaphil soap of Monday evening, which resulted in vomitting and diarrhea for the next 48 hours. I called the vet this morning, and the earliest appointment they had was for this afternoon. No problem, I thought, she really ought to be checked out given there are chemicals in the soap (unlike the cotton socks and underwear she normally prefers). The appointment was scheduled for 2:30, and her vet clinic is about 30 minutes away. Ian actually woke up from his nap around 1:30 which gave me time to feed him. Around 1:50 I went upstairs to wake Mason up from his nap and make him go potty - we're potty training now. Everything was running smoothly, and it looked as if we'd be out of the house by 2:00. I put Ian into his infant carrier and then went to load Dixie into her box in the back of my car before I loaded the boys up. I was about to step outside when I looked down and realized I had baby poo all over the front of my shirt. Ian was apparently leaking out of the back of his pants and I hadn't realized it. Remember, I've already put him into his carrier at this point. I ran and changed shirts quickly, and made the decision to get him out and change him. His backside was COVERED. How had I missed this - it was just oozing out of the top of his pants. I got him out to change him. I grabbed a towel and laid him on it - Thank God because he was rolling everywhere and leaving a poo trail along the way. Then I checked the seat, and it was all over the carrier cover (the built-in blankie). I was able to take the blanket off, but I had to undo the straps to do so. By the time I got everyone cleaned up, and ready to go it was 2:25. I knew I would never make it for that 2:30 appt. so I called and told them I was running late but I was on my way. They were very accomodating. Incidences like this one have become far too common for us these days, and I have lovingly referred to them as poo-tastrophes.

A little something to get you in the holiday spirit

Happy Birthday Jesus

This past weekend Drew and his father went out to West Texas again to hunt so his mother came to stay with the boys and me. We had a fun-filled weekend of shopping and visiting, but we made time to attend the Happy Birthday Jesus party at Trinity Klein Lutheran Church (where we attend MOPS). Mason had a blast doing various art projects and eating sweets (too many sweets).

His newfound passion (aside from vacuuming) = drawing

Oh the weather outside was frightful . . .

Okay so not really that bad but we just don't see snow that often in Houston, Texas. Last week Houston got its first snow fall in four years! It melted as soon as it hit the ground (at our house, anyway), but it did accumulate on the vehicles and plants outside. I was so glad that I didn't have to commute to work the following morning because it was a nightmare for many Houstonians!

Gran C's Christmas Decorations

As many of you know my mother's home was decorated beautifully last year for the holidays for the Parade of Homes, and I have been receiving numerous questions about whether or not she went as extravagant this year. While she hasn't put up all of her trees she has put up most of them. In addition to these trees she also decorated the dining room, but she was still in the process of putting up that tree so I didn't get any photos. I wish I had gotten photos last year, because it was awesome! She had an upside down tree in her bathroom that looked like a woman diving into the tub!

You should be able to click on the pictures to enlarge them to see the details.

The Entry Way Entry Way Tree - last year's tree was a huge live tree decorated in live roses

Master Bedroom

Jordan's Room

Jordan's Bathroom

Guest Room - yes that is a black tree

Gameroom - this tree isn't actually finished in this photo!

Grandkid's Tree - this is actually a completely NEW tree and one of the only two trees she put up in the den this year. Last year she also had a fireman's tree and a kiddie car tree with a race track running around the tree.

Biggest tree in the den and it actually rotates

Kitchen

Kitchen - (after the meal but before clean up)

Breakfast nook; this tree also rotates

Our Little Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Thanksgiving

An art project I did with the boys to give to the family for Thanksgiving. Mason had a blast with the paint, and we had to be quick to get it off of Ian's hands as he was trying to eat it!

We had a very happy Thanksgiving visiting family in East Texas. I apologize again to those that we didn't get the chance to see. Maybe we can catch up at Christmas.

Portraits

Last week I took the boys to have their portraits done. Because we always had such good portraits done at Sears in the past I decided to take them there; I've learned that it's the luck of the draw on your photographer. I wasn't incredibly impressed with the shots, but in all fairness it was not as simple as I had hoped. We did manage to get a few. Mason is very much asserting his authority these days, and refused to be "a show pony." He wouldn't pose or smile for anything! Ian, of course, gave all his best smiles off camera as well! Trying to wrangle them by myself was also interesting because Mason wanted to climb on everything while I was trying to help get Ian into position and smile. At one point Mason actually climbed into the stroller and said, "Want to go." Our appointment was at 10:00, and it was after noon when we got out, and we were the first appointment of the day so we didn't have to wait. I've posted of few of the shots below (don't worry I didn't buy all of these but you get all the shots on the CD that came with the package I got.) As you can see, it was a lot of fun!!

The only photo we got of Mason by himself.

Refusing to smile or hold his brother

Ian's had enough!

One of the few very good shots.

Another sweet one with slight smile from Mason; Ian was loving it.

My fave of the two of them. So sweet!

Ian is 4 months old

On November 5th I took Ian in for his 4 month check up. I was surprised at how big he is. He weighed 14.5 lbs (50th percentile) and measured 26.5 inches in length (80th percentile). Ian got his immunizations and Mason got his flu shot - both handled it very well.

Ian's gotta little Captain in him

A conversation with Daddy

This video was taken 10/20.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch at Old Time Christmas Tree Farm a couple of weeks.

Waiting to begin the hayride.

Are you done with the pictures yet, Mom?

Mason kept trying to pick up the pumpkins.

Ian's Halloween costume. It was too hot for Mason to wear his spider costume.

We took the wagon to pull the boys and pumpkin around in.

Mason feeding the goats. I kept having to watch him because he wanted to stick his whole hand into the fence, and I didn't want him to get bitten.

Our carved pumpkin.

Fall Fun Activities

Friday night we were invited to a neighborhood block party to celebrate Halloween. It was great to finally get out to meet some of neighbors. Mason had a blast running around, chasing balloons, begging for food from strangers, and eating far too much junk food. He also bobbed for apples! Ian was the hit of the party, and he flirted with all the ladies until he finally passed out.

Mason eating his "bobbed" apple

Mason's apple - two hours later

Ian in his Halloween onesie.

Bye-Bye Baby Mullet

Last weekend we took Mason to Cool Cuts for Kids to get his first haircut. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. He didn't cry once. It was obvious that he was quite confused as to what was happening and he was somewhat apprehesive about having a strange woman with sharp objects so close to his head, but he mellowed out when we let him have a lollipop. It's amazing how something as simple as a haircut can change one's looks. He doesn't look like a baby anymore, he's turning into a little boy!

Waiting to get started. His seat is a firetruck.

He's focused on the movie in front of him, Disney's Cars.

Enjoying his sucker.

No more baby mullet. Drew misses "his locks."

Ian's Three Months Old

Time has really flown by since Ian was born. It's hard to believe that he turned 3 months old on Oct. 5th. He's getting so big, and as you can tell he can already sit comfortably in his Bumbo seat! He is such a happy baby - with the most adorable smile!

Deer Lease - Comstock, Texas

Drew recently got on a West Texas deer lease in Comstock with several of his Kilowatt Kooker team mates. A couple of weeks after the hurricane he and his dad took a trip out to fill feeders and work on the lease.

The cabin

Pecos River Valley

The lease has about 2 miles of river front on the Pecos.

The Swimming Hole