The McGloin Family

Great Progress - May 2nd, 2012

Today I met with Miss Jenna and Miss Kaitlin from the yellow room. I love Colin's school, but mostly I love the energy his two teachers bring. They are always smiling and full of energy. I've even heard Colin say, My Kaitlin and My Jenna. He really loves them. Plus, he's really started to bloom.

His teachers had great things to say. First of all, they notice how much more he is talking. They also are amazed by how much he knows. Before he was talking as much, it was harder for them to tell. One of them told me, "Colin is highly intelligent. He amazes us all the time with the things he knows. Once he starts talking more, thats only going to increase." I have always felt that way, but it was nice to hear. When Colin first began at the school he wasn't that verbal. He did however know his abc's and could identify a lot of them. In addition he knew how to count and could tell you what shapes things were. Even earlier on he knew his colors. So I know he has the ability and once he becomes more outgoing that will be even greater.

Then they told me he really has taken to potty training. I noticed that too. They haven't had to change many diapers. I figured that out because I brought them a sleeve of diapers in February and haven't replenished them. Plus, he doesn't go poop in his diaper anymore. Sorry of all the details, but they are huge to us and especially to him. Plus, he's telling them he has to go. Also, they've been asking him and he says yes. 

I was also told that his evaluation was done in March, but if it were done today many of the items would be updated that he is making progress. Plus, they told me none of the kids "exceed" on the evaluation, because it is meant to span the entire 3rd year. So, he's doing great. I was super excited when I left.

They also told me his love for washing his hands is hilarious. Today they were kind of at a lull and he wanted to wash his hands, so they timed him. He washed them for 10 minutes. They were laughing hysterically when they told me. Then they told me they're glad they have him in their room. They thinks he so cute and such a sweet little guy. Warms my heart!

On another note, we all have a cold. Poor Jasper is coughing and it's keeping him up at night and nap time. Poor little buddy, that part makes me sad. Hopefully, it will be gone soon.

Have a nice week. Tomorrow is our 4 year anniversary. 
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi 

Tuesday Roundup - May 1st, 2012

Tuesday already? Wow, this week really is flying by. Colin continues to become more and more verbal. He's been telling us when he has to go to the bathroom. We're trying to get him to tell us when he has to pee. I think we may just need to go cold turkey to underwear. I've heard the feeling of cold wet pants turns them around quickly. So far he hates having the other stuff in his diaper and tells us when he has to go, so that seems to be coming along nicely. Maybe we'll take the plunge one of these weekends. To be honest I'm a tad nervous about that, but times a wastin. 

Last night I jokingly laid in his bed and acting like I was sleeping. He said, "Mommy, wake up. Go to the bathroom mommy." Interesting sentence.

Jasper and I got up early this morning and had breakfast together. Then we played.

Then I asked him to show me his tongue. It's so stinkin' cute, I can't handle it. I realize encouraging him to stick out his tongue is wrong, but it's also super cute, so there.

Seriously, super cute. I just want to eat him up.

Then this handsome fellow joined us. We went up to get him after 7 and Jasper ran up and down the hall while Colin used the potty. Then Colin ran in and woke up Ryan. It was his morning to sleep in and he got woken up. Sorry about that, I tried.

I like how into this book they both are.

Interesting haircut and can I just say, he looks very ALERT. I like it, up and at'em. We give the boys baths every other night, unless we need to do more. So they didn't have them last night. When I was getting him ready I noticed he had blue feet. I seem to remember from his update that they did a project about walking in something. Wow, we sure aren't very observant at night.

Here is a funny video of Jasper being tickled and then saying, "I stuck." Well it sounds like it and it is one of the things his brother says when we tickle him.

Have a nice week, tomorrow is hump day. I have my first ever parent teacher conference too. 
Mia, Ryan, Colin and Jasper 

Getting Closer - April 29th, 2012

Some of these photos are from my phone. There were some cute ones, so I'm going to overload you. Also, I was trying out the phone filters, so the boys look extra dark in some. The only thing you should really go by is hair length, since they just got haircuts. Otherwise, ignore the fact that they occasionally have dark brown or black hair and eyes.

I like to call this shot, "Who, me?"

This little cherub has begun torturing his older brother. This includes, stealing toys, pulling hair, scratching and biting. Poor Colin has bites all over, we try to stop him, but Jeepers moves fast. Yesterday when I went to get him for bed he went alley cat on my. Yep, my little sweetie scratched the heck out of my neck. I forgive him. I have however started putting him in time out, which he really doesn't get yet. He does get no though and says it all the time.

Pippi before I groomed her.

Not in love with this filter.

I really love this shot.

Now this, is probably one of my favorite pictures ever. According to Colin's teachers one of their favorite things about him is how happy he is and how no matter what, he is always smiling. His smile melts my heart.

Visiting daddy at work.

HFM is on the mend.

Jasper and Colin love the ipad. They both really love Peek a Boo Barnyard.

Haircut! 

I asked him to smile and wow, did he ever deliver!

Jasper loves corn on the cob.

I love baby, diaper induced bubble butt. It's my favorite. My other favorite is giant baby belly.

Naughty boy spilling water down the window. Folks, we have a little stinker on our hands.

With the haircut and pj's, he looks like a little boy. Where's my little baby?

With this dark filter, he sure looks like a Basile boy.

Off to pizza, as Colin calls Costco. By the way, he's a good boy at Costco. He sits and looks around while eating a giant slice.

Ryan found the solution to the Costco blues. Large screen playing Toy Story, yes please! Also, I am tempted to load up on red shirts. Colin cried when we took this off. He kept saying red shirt. Maybe that would solve our nudist problem.

While Ryan was grinding our two massive bags of coffee beans, Colin told me he had to poop. He's been doing that more and more. I asked if he could hold it and he said yes. He told me again in the car and I asked if he would be OK. He said he would. As soon as we got home he made poopie and we gave him some m&m's.

As soon and I went in to get Colin this morning he told me he had to use the potty. I said OK, lets go to the bathroom. I turned and when I turned back he was out of the room and trying to take his diaper off by the bathroom. So I got him up there and he went. He's been doing a good job of aiming too. We've had many peepee clean ups these days. Hey, he's trying.

Also, when we left the bathroom we found Jasper holding Colin's piggy bank. It's empty. Colin grabbed it and said, "It's empty." So I asked if he wanted to fill it up as a reward for using the potty. He said, "Need coins to fill it up." I never even mentioned coins, so that was pretty good.

I also ask if Jasper wants to try. He says yes and then when we get to the potty he says no and runs away. Probably too soon for him. "Cover me up, cover me up!!!"

Colin loves to have us cover him up. 

Pretty Pippi patiently sitting while the boys run around.

Colin got this beauty at Costco. Next time we get two, it'll reduce the stealing fights.

Our poor puppies now have colds. Not that big of a deal, but they are kind of snotty.

We're off to the green park when Colin wakes from his nap. Have a nice end to your Sunday.
Mia, Ryan, Colin and Jasper 

Friday - April 27th, 2012

Ryan had some fruit when he came home from work. Our buddy Jasper jumped on board.

He wears a smile that lets you know we are wrapped around his little finger.

Colin had school today. Afterward, all he wanted to do was have dinner, eat some chocolate and then watch some Curious George.

In other news, we got his progress report from school. He excels at smiling, music, good attitude and a bunch of other stuff. We still need to work on his fine motor skills, but we were pretty pleased. They agree that once he's more verbal, things will fall into place a bit better. For now though he's becoming more social, loves art and showing off his letter skills. He can point out all the letters and they also like how excited he gets when it's time to count. All in all, we're making good progress.

Today Ryan and I took most of the day off to do some pampering. We got up and did our usually Friday morning errands/chores, worked out and then headed out for a massage. After our massages we went to a favorite old haunt for lunch. Then we stumbled on a super duper fun old haunt, Mr Kites Candies. That was fun. We brought home lots of treats. I love their milk chocolate.

Then we did some more errands and shopping. It was still pretty hectic, but way better than last week.

Have a nice relaxing weekend/
Mia, Ryan, Colin and Jasper 

Did You Hear the One About HFM - April 24th, 2012

So I'm feeling a bit better about this ridiculous thing called HFM (hand, foot and mouth.) First off, I think Jasper got it while on a well visit to the dr. Great! Second, a few of my friend's kids have it or have. Anyway, I feel better about it.

But watching the boys get it was sad. It makes you very achy and flu'ish. They both had chills and a fever. It's just yucky stuff. We clean all the toys most nights, but since they both got it, it seemed futile. We try to wash them every so often, but these things still happen. I guess it's part of being a kid. The past few weeks have been tough, but very fun too.

For instance, we learn Jasper ADORES wearing socks. He can be seen here wearing one. Turns out he also likes taking them off and carrying them around.

He also thinks these small raisin boxes are super cool and they are.

His bumps started to dry out and looked painful.

As you can see, that didn't stop him from being happy most of the time.

Colin and Jasper love looking out the window and telling us what they see. Jasper spotted a squirrel. If you look close you can see it. He was waving at it to the point Ryan expected the squirrel to wave back. For the record, it did not.

It was one of those weird blond ones.

Recently this guy has become quite upset if his food looks different than Colin's. We still cut up some food, but for the most part, the gets it whole. He loves using a fork, more than Colin in fact. However, seeing Jasper so thrilled about cutlery had made Colin start using it most of the time too.

Both of the boys love Winnie the Pooh and look who is now entranced by the TV.

The boys are both feeling better. I felt bad taking them out when they were all marked up. I didn't want people thinking we were going to give it to the entire neighborhood. 

They are past the contagious part, so Sunday we went to the park. Colin is getting better about leaving. We start out by telling him 10 more minutes and he seems to get it. We do that a few times and eventually switch to five more minutes. Then we tell him time to do the slide a few more times. I also have a treat like crackers or juice waiting for him. Seems to be working. 

After the park we went to Trader Joe's. Colin loves the pretzel bread and reminded me of it on the way. We had a quick shopping trip and then he told us he had to go to the bathroom. He tells us every so often, not really a fan of the potty just yet, but we're slowly moving toward it. So Ryan ran to the bathroom with him while I paid.

It was one of these trips where enough was enough and Jasper wanted out. He threw a nice crying fit. I fed him bread and then chocolate, to no avail. (I have great parenting skills, I know.) So anyway, Ryan finally comes back with Colin and he wasn't wearing pants. Apparently, he pee pee'd on them.

So I told him to just cover his legs with his jacket like a blanket. The stupid thing kept falling off. It got stuck in the stroller wheel quite a bit, so Ryan finally took it back. Here it is super chilly and my poor kid is sitting there in a diaper. At that very moment a neighbor walked by, saw him and did a double take. Then she looked at me. By the way, we were literally in front of our house, so he wasn't going to suffer in the cold. We would never do that, but she didn't know that.

Oh boy! Great end, to a very ungreat week. Oh boy, I was ready for Monday, believe it or not.

Yesterday I got this adorable picture of Jasper from Erica. She was reading him a story and he fell asleep with no pants on and holding a shovel. Too stinkin cute!

Colin is started to have more utterances. That is when a child speaks freely. I was showing Jasper and Colin some balloons in the alley you could see from our living room. They were red aluminum hearts blowing in the wind. Colin and Jasper were super excited. So Colin blurted out, "A garbage man is coming to take them. Take the red balloons." The next day he told me, "The garbage man took the red hearts." It was really great to hear something spontaneous. The more he speaks, the more brave he seems to get with it. Plus, he showed his memory is good.

Here are some random utterances:
He's also good at remembering the last few weekends after his nap we've gone to see his cousin and he asks when we're going to see Cameron. He also asked me to take him to the beach. We were going for a walk and he told me the beach was the other way. Not too bad and nice sense of direction I might add. During one potty break he told me the days of the week, even if he did mention Friday about three times. Who doesn't love Friday? Then he told me it was March. So I said, very good, but it's now April. We went back and forth on that one and the next day he said April. I agree and he said, "March, not April." He likes to show me his stubborn side from time to time. So from this point on it seems he'll be saying March.

And one last thing. Jasper says a few words from time to time. Yesterday when I was reading to Colin, I was having him repeat lines of text and single words. We noticed after Colin would do it, Jasper would too, only he was more making noises, but it was a riot. So I gave them turns. He really loved that. It's part of our nightly routine, so I'm glad he's joining in.

Thanks for visiting us and have a great week.
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi 

Birthday Party - April 16th, 2012

This was Jasper on Friday afternoon, he was doing his new favorite thing. Can you guess what it is? I think he may be trying to be like his big brother. He pulls his shirt up and basically tells us to take his shirt off, in very few words of course.

This guy was being super goofy on Saturday. He kept getting into the pack and play and telling me to cover him up.

Someone else joined in. Here he is rolling around next to Colin.

Saturday night Jasper had a fever and it spiked quickly. He was shivering and very upset. Poor baby was battling some kind of virus. 

Sunday we debated staying home from his cousin Cameron's birthday. That was kind of hard to do, since it was all Colin talked about all day.

So we headed out and got to see lots of cool cakes and super fun cousins. We don't see big cousin Matt very often, but Jasper acts like it was only yesterday. He went right to him.

Poor little Jasper buddy was kind of cranky and very drowsy.

This guy on the other hand kept calling out to his favorite cousin and of course, asking for more cupcakes.

There in the red is my brother Joe.

I think his eyes close for every picture I take.

Colin and Jasper were very helpful at opening gifts. Just ask Helaine (to the right.)

Here is Grandma Lorraine plotting to steal all the good stuff. Not really, she's actually a very honest person.

I love how Jasper got up front and stood his ground.

Notice the guy in the back opening gifts.

Yay, a real life wagon!

Hey ladies, wanna take a ride?

Colin didn't hang around for long. He preferred taking off at top speed and making Ryan chase him.

Then this little buddy told me it was time for bed.

And he fell asleep as soon as we hit the road. He woke up close to home and I entertained him for a bit. Man, we were beat last night.

Today Jasper was in much better spirits. He woke up still a bit cranky, but more on the happy side. I'd be cranky too if I woke up with more little bumps on my face and had a Dr. tell me I had FOOT AND MOUTH. What?! Zoinks! Yep, he got it. It's highly contagious, so we've been washing our hands and wiping everything down, including all the toys that go into his mouth. So basically we're washing everything. Hopefully Colin doesn't get it.

Colin sat down to have some juice and read the paper. He's getting to be very much like daddy.

Ouch, see the rash. Poor guy, it's in his mouth too. 

I'm super, duper beat. It was another very long and hectic day. Plus, it was extra hard getting this guy to sleep. He was up three times last night, so wish us luck.

Have a fun and hectic week.
Mia, Ryan, Colin and Jasper 

Famous Preemies - April 12th, 2012

I found this list today and thought I would share it. What impressed me most was that these people were all born at a time when preemies died shortly after their birth. In fact, due to complications, both mother and child often died. How lucky we are to live in a time when we can save these little ones and give them full, healthy lives.

Here is the very impressive list.

Famous Preemies

Pablo Picasso
Thomas Hardy
Franklin Roosevelt
John Keats
Mark Twain
Napoleon Bonaparte
Renoir
Sir Winston Churchill
Johann Goethe
Stevie Wonder-blind due to ROP
D H Lawrence
Thomas Hobbes
Victor Hugo
Voltaire
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Anna Pavlova
Carol and Mark Thatcher
Issac Newton
Charles Darwin
Albert Einstein

Here's to our boys doing great things!
Mia, Ryan, Colin and Jasper 

 

Happy Easter - April 8th, 2012

This morning we yelled to the boys from the dining room that the Easter bunny was here. I told them he ran in and was running back out. Hurry, hurry. Believe it or not, they missed him. Darn it!

Colin immediately pulled up a chair and dug into the baskets. There was more stuff at the end of the table from Grandma Lorraine and Aunt Lorri. By the time I got to him he was pulling the foil off a bunny and digging in.

Jasper was a little more apprehensive. Eventually he realized the bunny leaves candy and he was very cool with that.

A duck, a duck! (bunny)

How cute is Colin? So excited. Later he asked why we didn't see baby Jesus.

I left the boys in their morning clothes for the picture, which meant Colin had to put his shirt back on.

First he ate a peanut butter egg and then a box of raisins. This Easter bunny is alright!

Remember these cute shots of Colin at the same age Jasper is now? I was excited to pull his outfit out so I could get it read for this Easter. It was way too small and way too short. If I knew how to sew I would make it into a button down shirt, but no such luck.

Man I loved this outfit. I was sad Jasper didn't fit into it.

Hello good sir.

I tried to get them to pose with me but I was competing with the blue park.

See Colin to the right? He was on fire this morning.

Did I mention these baskets make great hats? More specifically, a Russian fur hat.

Ivan will give you good advice.

Today Ryan took some pictures of the boys in the tulips. Neither of them would look at us.

I yelled, "cupcakes," and got this one to turn.

Then this guy looked, but the other one turned. It just wasn't happening. Do you like Jasper's ducks? (They were bunnies but he calls most animals ducks.)

Ryan even took a few shots of our house in full bloom. It looks very pretty all dressed up.

Hey look, it's "Jasper two spoons."

Jasper does a really good job of feeding himself. 

Hope you had a nice Easter. It was gorgeous here. 
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi 

The Running of the Eggs - April 7th, 2012

Aunt Helaine decided to host an egg hunt today. It was super fun! Here are the boys talking strategy.

While the older boys talked about strategy, Jasper and grandma cuddled.

Then Aunt Lorri showed up. You remember being this terrified when your aunts showed up, right? Yeah, me neither. 

Aunt Helaine came to the rescue with a pinwheel.

Colin was super excited, can you tell?

Grandma Lorraine managed to give Colin some great tips. Colin was super good at gathering eggs.

Jasper kept taking them out. 

Cameron is pretty smart, he used two baskets to gather his eggs.

Then we got down to business and ate some chocolate!

Cameron can be seen pouting because he couldn't dig in yet. When you don't eat lunch, you don't get candy. Aunt Helaine has the right idea. To be fair, he had some lunch after this and then got some chocolate.

Before this guy headed back out I cleaned him up, otherwise he would still look like this.

The boys then decompressed by reading the classics.

Then this dude passed out, or close to it.

Then the wrestle monsters showed up.

Colin loves Cameron. When we left he said,"My Cameron." He sounded very sad. It was sweet though.

Hope you gather lots of goodies this weekend. We'll be pigging out tomorrow morning before heading to mass.

Happy Easter!
Mia, Ryan, Colin and Jasper 

 

A Little Bitty Sweetie - April 2nd, 2012

Saturday morning Jasper and dad got up early, had breakfast and started to play. Colin woke up about 45 mins later, in a great mood by the way, and came down to joined them. He too had a nice breakfast and hunkered down to play. Around that time Ryan and I switched sleeping in, like we do every weekend and the boys and I played for a bit. Then we got ready for a lunch date.

Did I forget to mention Jasper got a kick out of putting underwear on? Well, he did.

After we all got dolled up we met a real doll named Marie Grace. Our old pal Chris came over with her new edition. Colin got a real kick out of it and loved seeing his old friend. Jasper was predictably shy.

Jasper wouldn't get too close to the baby. He wanted to let me know right off the bat that he was and will always be my baby. Meanwhile, Colin cozied up to Chris like he loves to do.

Marie is delicate and very pretty.

This guy is cool and handsome.

This guy just wanted to eat lunch, hit the park and take a nice long nap. Which is precisely what he  and Colin did.

And later that evening, the fun game where you sit on your mom's duodenum and jump up and down.

Trying hot dogs for the first time. Jasper approved, Colin was very unsure.

After some really long naps we played our hearts out for the rest of the day.

Frankenjasper

Sunday morning we all three got up early. After breakfast the mega blocks wagon was emptied and it was time for rides. We wised up and added a pillow.

Not sure how he found his screwdriver. I usually hide it because of . . . 

. . .this. He likes to run and play with it in his mouth. I love the chunky legs in his pjs.

See, doesn't that make you nervous. No fear, I hid is soon after.

So I recently began giving Jasper full pieces of certain foods like sandwiches and quesadillas. My mom and I laughed as we watched him go in head first. Anything big he holds on the table and brings his face to it.

It was so nice to meet Marie. We hope to see her soon. We also home she sleeps 8 hrs straight tonight. Have a nice week!
Mia, Ryan, Colin, Jasper and Pippi