Lost Blues

Okay, so we're all set to get our weekly fix of LOST last night, and we realized nothing new was on the DVR. It seems we were the only folks in America that didn't realize Lost was taking a month-long spring break. I guess filming in paradise can really wear a cast out. Yeah, sure, writers strike, yada yada yada. Is anyone else cheesed off about this? I can't get by for a month on Dancing with the Stars!

Okay, I feel better. By the way, speaking of Dancing with the Stars, I think a Star Trek reunion smackdown would be a serious ratings machine. It's high time the question of "Best mambo - Kirk or Picard?" be put to rest. Who's with me...

Doin' the Time Warp...

We had another glorious stay at the beach cottages, this time at the Painters' Cottage, just as we had last month for an evening. Our other two stays last year had been in the Long Board Lodge, which we also love - but it was soooo nice to be 20 paces or so from the actual sand, as opposed to dealing with the brief but sometimes annoying stair hike from the Long Board. As Douglas, a friend of Elliott's parents, said when he stayed over one evening at the cottage: "It's like a time warp." Too true, too true! The boys love any cottage stay and this time was no exception! You just have to love living in Southern California when you can hang out on a beach, and with the exception of just a few other people, be the only ones there! So choice!

Days of Whine & Poop

Over a month ago, while vacationing in Phoenix during the holidays, I jokingly mentioned to some family that although I was woefully behind on my blogging, I may just have a suitable post theme to add. Well, time went by and I had hoped to NOT have cause to post my original idea - but alas and alack, I DO - and it revolves around POOP! (At this time, any readers with weak stomaches may choose to visit another blog instead of continuing to read!) :)

In mid-December, Joseph got an ear infection and despite the antibiotics used, acquired another one (and another one) over the course of a month and a half. He had 3 rounds of meds, each stronger than the last, and with rounds 2 & 3 began to have a LOT of pooping - as mentioned in the title (the D-word really is more appropriate, but I'm trying to be considerate for those with delicate feelings on the subject.) As family around us can attest, it became so bad that along with a flamming red bottom, Joseph also had to deal with fissures. On a side note, I believe if we had stock in any one of the following companies: Viva paper towels, Balmex, A+D ointment, Costco diapers, Costco wipes (pre-Viva paper towels), and Neosporin, we would have secured our retirement and the financial well-being of our children for life!)

The "Whine" referred to in the title of my post really has come more from me. Joseph, ever the love, has done remarkably well considering all of this. With the exception of actually having his diaper changed, he has continued to be very loving, charming and while in Phoenix even progressed from belly crawl, to knee crawl and started pulling himself up! What a boy!!! :) But I digress... My whining has come usually this this: "Ok, little man - you've just had your diaper changed for the 8th time - so no more for awhile, Ok?" To which Joseph would respond with a giggle, a twist of the head and the most charming smile...and two minutes later proceed to grunt, strain and, yup, you guessed it - POOP yet again! "AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!!! Stop POOPING, little man!!! I just can't TAKE it!" Yeah, that's me. Ever the example of grace under pressure...(pressure, get it?) :)

Although he has THANKFULLY been without an ear infection for a couple of weeks at the writing of this post, he has, however, continued with his FREQUENT pooping (and from time to time RED bottom.) We had hoped that his little gut would return to a normal schedule since coming off the 3rd round of antibiotics - but not much luck there. At the suggestion of my sister we even tried some probiotics, which seemed to (somewhat) work for a short time, but after a week and still having fairly frequent poops, we took him off that and have just kept up with lots of nursing and some solid foods back in his diet. Honestly, I can't even remember what his "normal" bowl habits had been prior to all of this. :) Yesterday his bottom started to look a bit "miffed" again (not ANGRY, mind you) but clearly a little peevish. I've got to run and get some more Viva and A+D ointment again - butt (he, he, he) in the meantime we're doing what we can to keep him happy in between diaper changes. He really HAS been a trouper! He even was awesome yesterday at Disneyland and napped for an hour and a half while we ran Jackson and Ethan around. (More on the two older Jones' to come!)

Anway - just an update to let one and all know what we've been up to, why we haven't done much in the way of posting, and if you should see/talk to us any time soon, why our eyes twitch and our voices warble as if on the edge of sanity!

For those reading with diaper-aged children: May their bottoms be happy and your supply of ointment never fail!

Thanksgiving Montage

Well it's been over a month since we've posted! Too long, too long! I thought I'd break the silence with a few Thanksgiving photos. We hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

You may be able to tell from the picture below that our meal spared one of the birds pictured above. In an attempt to take some of the stress and kitchen mess out of Thanksgiving we opted for a ham. The little piggie that gave his all for the big day came pre-cooked and that made life a whole lot easier, for us at least...

The nose-picking going on at the table is just a little dose of reality in what is otherwise a shameless "aren't-my-children-soooooo-cute" website. It was really nice having family out for the holidays. Holly's parents, Gary and Bev, joined in on the feast and were good sports about the aforementioned nasal exploration.

Speaking of cute kids, here are some shots from Jackson's Thanksgiving activity at school.

One final dose of reality: the tantrum that ensued upon our departure from said school activity was mercifully not captured by still or video photography. For that, we truly wish to give thanks.

Pics from SLC

These are some pictures we took of our boys and their Jones cousins while we were out in Salt Lake City for my Grandma Marjorie's funeral. She was 102 years old, still living in her own home, and (up until quite recently) going up and down the stairs to her room on the second story every day. These photos are a fitting tribute to Grandma as many feature the kids romping around her backyard. She would definitely approve!

A little something for Auntie Dawn!

Well, hopefully everyone will enjoy this, but in particular I know from a recent conversation with my sis that she really wants to get her hands on Joseph. I know this isn't the same thing, but perhaps it will still be something she enjoys! (BTW - This was taken with our little still camera - so perhaps not the best picture quality, but you get the idea!) A little "talking" to start off the day!

It Starts!

Quick story:

Jackson and I were walking home from school yesterday and at one point he needed to stop to get some mulch out of his shoe. As he was finishing up, we heard "Hi, Jackson!" and looked up to see a girl standing near her mother a few paces ahead of us. I leaned down to Jackson and asked: "Who's that?" to which he replied, "Oh, she's just a girl in my class." Hmmmmm. Really. Just a girl in your class, you say? Oh yes...it starts! The awareness and eventually the little crushes...Man! And I've got THREE boys! We've been joking all along that Ethan would be our heartbreaker - but Jackson seems to be doing just fine in that department.

(Jackson decided recently that he wanted to wash up his own dishes! What? Come again? Be my GUEST!!! Oh, and love the bed-head too, bud!)