"Grandpa Clause"

We have a photographer friend who called up my dad to see if he'd be willing to take some pictures with some of her clients in exchange for some photography work of Andrew. Let's just say that Andy doesn't realize that he's a little more favored by Santa than most kids, (well at least this Santa...) Sometimes he seems not fooled and then other times he seems none the wiser. Either way he is one lucky kid!


Photos taken by Tina Miera. We love her, she's been working with Andy since he was a newborn.

It's cold outside.... and in his pants.

I posted this story already on facebook but not everybody reads their facebook and my parents are too technologically birdbrained to have an account (you're still my favorite people.)

After finishing a drink I got at Wendy's, Andy demanded to have the cup full of left over ice cubes. He tried to 'drink' it for a bit and then dumped the entire cup of ice cubes down his pants. He then scrunched up his face into a funny look of discomfort and said "Uh-oh!!"

Uh-Oh!!! is right kid. You get that region of your body too cold and it might suck back into itself. Not to mention that your mom has to dig around in your pants in public. Funny little guy. Boys are too fun to raise sometime.

He made a similar face to this, only more distressed, and he's a year older now.

He's got words for you...

For those of you not privileged enough to live with Andy on a constant basis, I feel it my duty to declare his genius. Yes, another one of those moms. I will make you listen to every last fascinating (only to me) thing he can do. For today I will share his lexicon of words. It took over a year of DDI (his own private tutor) and lots of work but he now says:

snow
chair
star!!!!!! (he puts great emphasis on this word)
woof woof (it means dog)
truck (more like chuck)
choo choo
ball
bah bah (bye bye)
whoisit? one word meaning 'who is it?' when he answers the phone
Bumpa (grandpa)
Nana (more like Nah -Nah)
NO!
rarrrr! (like a lion)
nose
Dada
juice (like jooooose)
NO!!!!
boom
shoes
nana (for banana)
car
vroom
moo (he likes expressing the sounds of things rather than labeling them)
NO!!
I don't (if he doesn't want you to do something)
WOW!!!!
NO! I don't!

I'm sure there's more I can't think of at the moment.

Right now I am working on teaching him these words:

alfalfa
Nefertiti
hydrangea
symbiosis
Quetzalcoatl
inconsequential
and
antidisestablishmentarianism

I'll get back to you when he knows them ;)

Oh, and by the way, if you are wondering if he can say 'Mama' Well, yes he can but he only does under great distress, like being drugged out of his mind at the hospital. I do feel special.

The Big 2- 6

Yup... it happened again, I had a birthday. I probably have another one rolling around too. God willing... This year I was sick for my birthday (which by the way was forever ago I'm just taking my sweet time to blog it) but the celebrating still carried on! We went to Chuck-a-rama and the Nicklecade, totally low key, totally fun.

Mr. Tingey is never one to hold back and of course lavished me with presents. He got me a $25 iTunes card, a wii fit (yes!!! I've wanted one of those forever and seriously could use one.. I'm just sayin'..) and premiere party New Moon tickets. He didn't go with me to New Moon, what kind of crap is that!? I guess I forgive the guy, it was the last thing he wanted to do. He also sent these gorgeous flowers to me, and then later admitted a client of his did it for free to thank him- earth to Mr. Tingey- just take the credit!!!

Best part of course... Andy made me a card. SO freaking cute. That kid is Van Gogh and cuter than Brad Pitt. And do you know what was in the card!? A note saying that I was going to get Up, the best freakin' movie of the year!!! I had an excellent birthday. My boys spoiled me rotten. It's good to be queen. And my suggestion to all of you out there; celebrate your birthday for an entire week, my grandpa started this tradition in our family and we love it.

I'm Gabba'd Out....

I said to Mr. Tingey today (yes, I've taken to refering to Matthew as Mr. Tingey like they do in an Austen book) "I think I'm Gabba'd out...."

Don't get me wrong, I love Gabba and it is as helpful as Versed (fast acting sedative, pronounced ver-said) when it comes to getting an I.V. into Andy's hand but.... it's all he wants to watch, he's obssessed! I've memorized all of the songs, know them by heart. I bought him his own Brobee backpack and he was just tickled.

This is not an admission to using television as a substitution for parenting, it's just a realization that I need to redirect his obssessions... he likes Thomas, maybe we'll focus on that for a while.

In case you don't know what Yo Gabba Gabba! is, it's a television show, with crazy little characters, lots of fun.... at first. ;)

wish I could mail it....

Dear Aortic Stenosis,

I hate, loathe and despise you more than anything in the world. More than any one thing in my entire life you have hurt me.

Go away,
Amber



Dear Jesus,

More than anyone I need you. More than anything you heal me. I'm useless in my gratitude to you, however thank you for carrying me now. I have eternal love and gratitue for you. You are my Saviour.

Stay always,
Amber

Home Of The Free BECAUSE Of The Brave

This is my dad, Captain Kim Walkowski, returning home after serving in the 1991 Gulf War. Wasn't he a hunk? Look at that physique! I was just six years old then and could never understand what a hero he was, as well as my mom. All I knew was that he was gone from our family for a long time. Every Veteran's Day I am reminded of the sacrafice my parent's made as well as countless others serving our country. We owe them so much for what they do for us. My gratitude and prayers are with them. One thing I know for sure is that almost every little girl thinks her daddy is a hero, mine literally is.

Anyone Need Blankies?

Matthew's sweet cousin Lisa has started up a new business. It has helped her in part of her healing and I wanted to pass along the information and get the word out about her site. She is in the baby-blanket making industry! These are so cute, I just loved the fabric she picked out when she made Andy's blanket.

Go check it out:

www.angelblankets.blogspot.com

Lisa, Michael and Lizzy, you are still in our prayers and we think about your sweet Cooper all the time. He is such a blessing. We know that Families are Forever. We love you always!