"It's a buggy-bug world out there..."

'a bug's life,' the movie --have you ever seen it?


We have...only a few thousand times!
Ever since Grandma Chris introduced this movie to Jackson about a month ago, we have been "needing" to watch it at least once, sometimes twice, a day. Jackson will sit and watch the entire movie from beginning to end at night when he is tired, but during the day, he just likes to have it on while he plays.
It is a fantastic film. One of the better children's movies I've seen. Jackson definitely gives it an "enthusiastic two-thumbs up!"

Tatoos.

I introduced my son to tatoos today...something I may live to regret someday.
Jackson picked out the tatoo he wanted (giraffe), and where he wanted it (on his hand). He also picked out a gorilla tatoo for mom and a skull and cross-bones tatoo for dad.
So, what do ya think of them??

Havin' a bad day...but you'd never know it!

Jessica had a "bad" day today. She decided to spend her morning naptime playing with her blankets and her socks while she was in her crib (I know this because I was able to watch her on the video monitor we have in her room). So, after about an hour and a half, I went in and got her hoping to keep her "lunchtime" and "playtime" on schedule for the day.
No such luck!
She didn't want to eat, she didn't want to play --she just wanted to be crabby. At 12noon she finally fell asleep, after being awake for almost six hours (which, in baby-land, is equivalent to a full day for an adult).
I snapped a few pictures of her after she woke up from her one and only nap of the day (btw, only lasted for a little over an hour) because I was amazed at what a good mood she seemed to be in. Go figure. Tired, hungry, probably had a headache from all the crying she had done earlier, nonetheless, she was her usual, happy self.?

"I was a little stinker for my mommy today."


"Gimme that camera mom!"


"All done with that toy."
Once Jessica is done "playing" with a toy, she tosses it behind her head (as pictured below) and then moves onto the next toy.

Anyone up for a swim??

Here is a picture of Jackson taken just today; it was his 3rd swimming lesson.

Jackson is now able to enter the water (from a seated postion along side the pool) all by himself. He is able to independently walk around in the water and chase after his toys. Although he loves to "play" in the water with balls and other float-able toys, he is still pretty scared to get his face and head wet. We are working on laying 'flat as a pancake' on his back (ideally with his ears underwater), and 'going under' - which we are really no where close to being able to do yet. Jackson will blow bubbles but that is all the further he likes his face to be underwater. He is, however, having fun with either mom or dad (depending on who takes him to swim lessons) in the water, and learning some new skills--and that's what's important. We are very proud of him!

Inauguration 2009

What were you all doing today when Mr. Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th President of the United States?

Because it was such a joyous and exciting moment in our nation's history, I decided to write about it, and post a few pictures of the kids. Hopefully, someday down the road, Jackson and Jessica will look back on this and be able to see what they did and what they looked like during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.

Jackson, Jessica, and I were home alone (my two daycare boys were home sick today). Jackson and I began watching the televised event in our basement while we waited for Jessica to wake up from her morning nap. Once she was up, I threw in a VHS tape to record the event, and we headed off to a friend's house for an "Inauguration Luncheon."
Jason was teaching today. He was a little upset he couldn't show the event to his students; Officer J.J. was there to discuss the G.R.E.A.T. program. Jason plans to show the recorded event to his students tomorrow.

So, Jackson my son, here is what you and your mom looked like on January 20th, 2009...



Here are a few pictures of Jessica and Jackson "watching" the Inauguration on T.V.

"Shhhhh...don't tell big brother!"

As everyone is well aware, Jackson is absolutely in love with his trucks. So much so, in fact, that he has a hard time sharing his "prized posessions" with his sister.

When Jackson is napping, however, guess what becomes Jessica's "toys of choice?"...
Lil' stinker!

Once Bitten... Twice Shy!

Jessica has officially become a "biter." She bites everything that goes into her mouth. --EVERYTHING!
So, from this day on, no more breast-feeding. Ouch. I've made the executive decision to quit "cold-turkey" with her and introduce her to the bottle. So far, she's handling it quite well, this being the first day and all... she has been a little crabby, and her napping schedule seems to be off as a result, but no major melt-downs (yet).
In the meantime, while she is getting this whole bottle thing figured out (which she may never do and we may just decide to continue on solely with a sippy cup), Jessica is eating table foods like a champ. She loves her noodles and green beans! Here is a picture of her "devouring" her food...

Our wish was granted!

Friday was yet another cold and miserable day outside; therefore, closing most school districts in our area once again.
B-e-a-utiful!!...Just as we'd hoped for! Another day with Dad, and another "mandatory jammie day" ...what could be better?

Here is a picture of Jackson in his "big truck" jammies; the ones he's been in now for 48 hours straight!

Bad = Good??

I guess it's true what they say..."every cloud has a silver lining" --at least in our situation today that was true. All this bad weather and extreme coldness has led to more family time for our family. Jason's school district (along with all the others in the surrounding area) called off school. And, it just so happens my daycare children were not here today either. Once we realized it was just going to be our family at home for the day, we declared it a "mandatory jammie day!" Yep, we've been comfy-cozy in our pajamas all day--and lovin' every minute of it! Well, Jessica was changed out of her jammies and into a clean outfit shortly after breakfast due to the fact that she is unable to eat without smearing her food all over her face, clothes, and hair - complete mess!
We began our day with a pancake breakfast...


followed by lots of quality "play-time."



Tomorrow looks to be more of the same...which is exactly what we're hoping for here at the Mahlum household =)

Kids Say the Darndest Things...Part 3

While I was using my Magic Bullet (which, btw, is the best $$ I ever spent on an infomercial) to make Jessica's food the other day, Jackson popped his head into the kitchen and said, "Stop running that thing Mom; it scares my ears."

Jackson and I were driving in the van together when I put a piece of gum in my mouth. About 10 seconds later Jackson says, "Mmmm...what stinks good in here Mom? --you eatin' some of that gummy-gum?"

I guess I've let the phrase "holy crap" slip a few too many times in front of my son. The other morning while Jackson was watching me make pancakes, he noticed the really big one that I made (which is what I always do when the batter gets low)...without hesitation, he replies, "Holy crap Mom, that's a big one!"

"All Aboard the Choo-Choo Train"

Jackson and Jessica fit pretty well in this 'Thomas the Tank Engine' tent; but Jason, not so much...




And, of course, Jackson has to bring as many trucks as he can into the tent with him (because he does not go anywhere or do anything without them).

Swim Lessons for Jackson

Today was Jackson's first swimming lesson at the theraputic pool in Gundersen Lutheran Hospital. He will be going every Saturday from now until February 28th. Daddy takes Jackson to swim lessons and I stay home with Jessica. This gives Jason a little father-son time ...which he loves!
The temperature of the water they swim in is about 90 degrees; so, it's basically like a giant bathtub. Jackson is in a class with about 10 other 3-yr-olds (and their parents). Today went well. So far, so good!
I'll keep you posted on the progress he makes, and I'll try to get over there to take some pictures too.

Toddler Energy!!!!

This is a 30 second video clip of Jackson and Dawson dancing to a song playing on the T.V.. The show they are watching is the "Big Job" show; it's all about construction vehicles...one of Jackson's favorites!


Wouldn't you just love to have 1/3 of their energy?

"Old man winter" is sure not stopping Jackson!

Although the actual temperature has been below 20 degrees F, and the wind chill has been well below that, we've still managed to get outside and enjoy the snow. We play up against the front of the house where the sun beats down on us and there is barely any wind.
Jackson takes out at least one truck with him so he can "build" in the snow.

Lisa's 2009 New Year's Resolution

Ok, I'm 30-years-old, and I've never had a new year's resolution! So I figure, what better year than this to start?
Before I mention it, I must give full credit to my friend, Dusty Rogers, who posted this idea to her blog (http://allthingsgd.blogspot.com/). Please check out her blog if you get a chance; it's a terrific read.

Alright, back to my new year's resolution... Most of you remember how much I used to enjoy the sport of jogging. In fact, in my "pre-kids" life, I used to jog at least 3-4 times a week for 3-5 miles at a time. Granted that's no marathon runner's schedule, but at least it's enough to keep me in good physical and mental shape.

My new year's resolution: I will run 300 miles in the year 2009. For all you math-wizards out there, yes, this comes out to be about 6 miles per week. A very do-able resolution no doubt, but keep in mind, I have two little kids and I'm starting off in fairly poor shape. I will be keeping track of my mileage on the right margin of this blog for all my friends and family to see. Plus, I'm hoping by making my progress viewable to the public, it will help me stay motivated to accomplish my goal.

Thanks, again, for the idea, Dusty. And good luck with your resolution as well.

January 3, 2009

Happy New Year Everyone!

Jackson and Jessica are freshly bathed, in their jammies, and ready for bed...

Jessica is learning to walk!

As promised, here are those videos of Jessica "walking" with support. She is using her new walker she received as a Christmas gift from Grandma Barb and Grandpa Terry.

Back view:


Front view: