Life is not dull around here

Last week we had a couple interesting events happen to us-- so I figure it is now or never time if I want to share.

The first one happened while we were in STL. I wasn't there, so this story may be exaggerated and/or not 100% accurate. Pete and I were out for the evening and we had family friends watching the boys at the hotel. The hotel room was a suite so 2 bedrooms connected by a large 'living' area. Luke was asleep in our room and Jack was in the living area with K and D. There was a noise in the other bedroom, but when it was checked out no one was in there. D popped his head in the hall and saw a housekeeper who said that she had been in the room putting mints on pillows and checking on towels or something. ( I just want to say that I find it weird that there is a practice in this hotel of putting mints on the pillows at like 8:30-9pm when guests are already checked in and could be asleep). Then some conversation was had about how there was a baby in the next bedroom / next door down the hall so not to go in there. I believe this was even repeated a couple different times-- next bedroom = baby= stay out! Well a few minutes later there is a noise coming from our bedroom so they go in to check it out and guess what they find.............housekeeper holding my baby!!!!! Yeah-- 1. we don't need mints we are already checked in 2. DON'T hold MY baby!! Apparently she thought he was abandoned and was comforting him-- 1. not crying 2. our stuff was still in the room 3. you were told mere minutes before by adults that there was a baby in there sleeping. * We kept the door bolted the rest of the time we were there.

The next story happened when we got back to town. Pete was studying one night and the kids were asleep, so I angled the computer screen toward my bed and was watching a movie. It was around 10:30pm when I hear a BANG BANG BANG at the door. It was an urgent knock, loud , and aggressive. I ignore it because earlier in the evening our neighbors had a bunch of cars parked in front of their house so I thought perhaps it was someone for them. Again a fierce banging this time accompanied by the rattling of the doorknob. Well, this is getting a little scary and I am not sure what to do. My instinct is to ignore it because I am home alone, but apparently this person really wants in my house. With that being said do I really want to answer the door to a person who wants in? Do I ignore it and then they come in anyway and are pissed because I didn't let them in? I need someone on the phone to comfort me as I head out to the living room so with door banging and doorknob turning I call Pete to ask his advice. He says to look through the peephole-- which doesn't tell me anything. Then he says to ask who it is. I try this and instead of words I am greeted with pounding on the door. I raise my voice and try again. It's the police! Oh man-- I don't trust people. I really have serious trust issues and in my mind I have actually thought about scenarios like this. In my mind I have always told myself-- don't let them in, if you have someone on the phone keep them on the phone, if not -try to get someone on the phone, call the police station to ask if they really sent people to your house, ask for their badges, and stay brave. I have gone over this in my mind a lot because like I said I have trust issues plus massive anxiety so I think about all these things a lot. Well, none of those things happened. Not a single one. I open the door to find two officers that I can see (turns out there were three).

Police: Does xyz lives here.

Me: No.

Police: Did he used to live here?

Me: I don't know we just started renting recently.

Police: What is your name?

Me: It is Rebecca.

Police: Can we come in there are a lot of moths out here? ( which is true we have like 60 moths the swarm our light)

Once in I immediately tell Pete I will call him back and hang up ( I mean I hang up? How stupid!?)

Police: What was your name again? When did you move in? Who else lives here? Do you have kids? (I answer all the questions) We need to see your id.

Me: Ok I will get it.

Police: I need to go with you.

Me: Um it is right here( pointing to my purse the policeman comes right next to me and my purse as I get out my wallet then gets out his walkie talkie thing and calls in my name and birthday).

Police: What is your dog's name?

Me: I tell him and they just stare. I begin to explain why he has that name, but then I stop myself because what if they just want know my dog's name to use it later- also they don't really care so I just stop talking mid-sentence.

Police: Ok things here are fine. We were here to issue an outstanding warrant and this was the last known address we will put in our notes that he is no longer at this address. Hopefully we won't be bothering you again.

I call Pete back immediately and my body and voice just start shaking. Pete said he was about to call the police to ask if they sent people to the house-- I am glad some of my paranoia has rubbed off on my husband. He has to finish something up but can leave to be home in half an hour. Good. I check on my kids and I check in their closets too. I go back to my room and don't relax at all until Pete comes home.

Well-- I finish my blog with two pictures of the kiddos because better to leave on a happy note.

Danny-- I wish this blog were for you

My sister-in-law -Cassie-- got married last weekend in the beautiful St. Louis. We had a great weekend full of fun and memories that will last a lifetime. We arrived on Thursday just in time for the bachelorette party/dinner. We were going to arrive at the Drunken Fish via the Metro but outside was a limo-- waiting to whisk us away for a night of debauchery merriment. Cassie received a ton of stuff to use for the honeymoon and after-- much of it unspeakable. :P We played Bachelorette Mad Libs which was super funny( well after sharing 5 or 6 bottles of wine it was funny-ie- Holy Fallopian Tubes!) After this we went to The Big Bang Bar where the bride was serenaded by the one and only Joe Weigel-- Like A Virgin- was the song on tap that night.



The next day included nails, bridal luncheon where Cassie received tamer honeymoon stuff, and of course the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal gave way to a wonderful idea that was started 5 years ago by Danny Weigel at my wedding, but then reborn at the rehearsal. You will see pictures in a minute. We had a great time and I must say that our table at the rehearsal rocked-- we were the best ones!



Then it was Saturday-- the big day!! We girls went out early in the morning to start the beautifying process. After a couple of snags and stressful moments we were all getting our hair and make-up done, eating, and laughing. We were cutting it a bit close to go time so off we went-- some of us lots faster than others. No worries we all made it safe and sound and it took mere moments to get us and the bride dressed in our little space. I will say many of the bridesmaids appeared to be more of a wreck than the bride-tear wise. The service couldn't have been better. Plus, we all learned that Father thinks Sean is a hunchback or the equivalent. *Sean, the flannel covers it up nicely* Cassie and Sean are now Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan. They were so happy, composed, and beautiful. It was perfect.





We weren't done yet-- after the wedding we met up with Molly the Trolley who is the Weigel Family's new best friend. We will be employing her for Luke's graduation. The bridal party went drinking through town on Molly. The first real stop was Humphrey's where shots were had by all to get the party started. (ok Pete and I shared one shot-- does that even count?) We went to Forrest Park, around SLU's campus, and a few other spots. People danced, drank, laughed, chanted, hugged, and had a great wonderful time. Cassie and Sean, it was a great idea that has bonded the Weigel Clan and made us realize we are so much fun together. Plus, we are the life of the party because of-- the aviator sunglasses and bulging biceps- and a few other things. The great idea I mentioned earlier is here-- aviator sunglasses used by the ushers for the wedding and for the after-party. I do have pictures in case you were wondering.





Thanks ya'll for a great weekend-- and lots of jabbajabbajabbajabbajabbajabbajabba--I'm Hans Solo I'm Hans Solo I'm Hans Solo I'm Hans Solo Solo and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun .

For shame

In our house there is a lot of, "oh gambit!" going on. I suppose Jack heard us say damn it (and more than once ) so now he is trying to figure out this magical phrase that will express all of his frustration. A couple weeks ago he was saying, "oh damages!" Then yesterday while trying to find shoes and get them on he kept saying, "oh gambit." I figure it will only be a matter of time before this turns into 'dambit' which for all intents and purposes is 'damn it'.

Another issue that I won't really talk about in detail is Jack's self-awareness. I knew this would happen and didn't really have feelings about it one way or the other. Still I suppose I figured it would be something Pete and I would share equally or that Pete would deal with more than me. Nope. Turns out Jack is more than comfortable to talk to me in great detail about his penis. Pete was around one day while one of these conversations was going on, and he was quite surprised that Jack pursued the issue more with me. Yup-- I am such an open, cool, and laid back mom.

Two of Jack's favorite tv shows are Dora and Handy Manny. I find it so interesting that two of the most popular tv shows for children involve Spanish speaking main characters. Will our children will look back on this time and wonder why we were so mean and unfair? Hmm... Now Jack goes around the house counting to 10 and saying colors in Spanish. He is working on a few other words and phrases they use often, and when he practices but knows it isn't quite right he will say, "I don't say that one correctly." Nope, but at least you are trying, and don't worry because you know how to use the word 'correctly' so I think your are doing just fine.

showers and bikes

We went to Morehead this weekend to attend bridal showers for Cassie. We had a great time visiting and sharing this special time in her life. At the first shower she received so many kitchen gifts, and seemed so excited to cook for and set the table for her future husband. I recall having the same feelings at my showers, and now instead of excitement I say, "Really, I have to cook again? I have to set the table again? Didn't I just do that?" Haha. Oh how 5 years can change things. I know that 5 years isn't a lifetime, but you do loose that newlywed excitement. Don't feel sorry for me or Pete- we are still rocking it. Maybe cooking isn't my favorite thing every night, but I am glad every night that Pete is my husband and the father of my children. I would say that over the past 5 years we have fallen more and more in love. Ok-- time for the collective-- awww!!!!!

The second shower was a lingerie shower. This is something I can get behind. We were also we supposed to give advice to the bride to be. What advice am I supposed to give? Hmm... Well, I thought long and hard--- and I decided that the one thing that is very important to marriage is sex. I mean it seems like the most appropriate advice to give at a lingerie shower--right? The exact advice---that is a secret. Doesn't really matter because I am not worried about their future since I have seen them together and well, they have a great love and a great faith to get them through.

While in Morehead we saw these signs popping up around town--

Then when we got home we had a fun afternoon outside and here are a couple videos that you can watch-- if you have the time.

bye-bye summer /hello baby Luke

Oh man, I felt that breeze this morning and can tell fall is well on its way. I know that it is supposed to be 87 this afternoon, which does not indicate fall, but early in the morning there is a crispness in the air that wasn't there last week. Plus, drive around and you will see leaves on the ground! What?! Balderdash I say. Time it suck it up and realize that summer does not last forever. I like autumn, it is my second favorite season ,but it gets a bad rap since it follows my absolute favorite season.

Enough about the seasons-- baby Luke is 6 months old. So some stats and updates on the big guy. He is in the 25th percentile for weight and height. I always think of him as huge because Jack was in the 5th percentile, but really he is still below the 50th percentile so he isn't as big as I imagine him to be. His head is getting bigger- he is up to like the 75-90th percentile now. He's got smarts. He isn't overly interested in learning how to do the whole tripod sitting thing so it is still a work in progress. Not to give the kid a bad rap he is getting better at it, but he learned how to army crawl and that is just so much cooler. He has two teeth on the bottom and the good doctor said that the top two will be coming in very soon. He is always hungry and if you stop feeding him before he is done then it will be the only time you see him get mad-- and he gets very mad! Normally he is such a happy happy baby, content, laid back, and just amazing. He has the best smile and the cutest laugh. We are going to have to move him out of our room in the next month, after we get our drop-side crib fixed since they recalled all those, and let him start crying it out. He has a habit of waking up at 12ish and 3ish so those have to stop. I am trying to mentally prepare myself for it. I know it won't be as bad as Jack. That was gut-wrenching. The books all say they only cry for 45 mins. max-- LIES!!! Jack cried non-stop for 4 hours and then on and off crying for the next 2 and this lasted about 4 or 5 days. I will say after that Jack slept better than anyone (until he was 2.5 yrs).

Jack is doing well too and is starting to do more interactive play with other children, and I believe other kids are now fighting dragons too. He is telling everyone he meets that he is 3 and rarely tells them his name. We are reading everything we can about dinosaurs- he loves to have us read facts. How long was the dinosaur? How many years ago did it live? What did it eat? We even read the glossary, and if you try to skip it he opens the book back up. He is starting to venture into the world of veggies- asparagus and green beans- because we told him that asparagus makes your pee stink. This led to him eating a few bites and then jumping up and peeing right away-- Pete smelled it and passed out only to be revived by a dinosaur. It was quite the scene. This worked so well we told him green beans make your pee smell too-- so the whole smelling of the pee and passing out happened again. At least he is trying vegetables which he 100% refused until now.

I take the boys out front a couple times a week to play under our big tree so here are a couple pictures.

Having Fun in the Sun

What is summer without a good tan? If you can't get it in the midwest then it is time to head down south, which is exactly what we did. We spent a week in FL with family and it was a lot of fun. We flew with the boys, and I think that we have learned that flying with the boys is a piece of cake, but flying with Becky is not as much fun. Upon arriving at the airport I was ordered, by my husband, to give them all a break and buy a large glass of wine before we went through security. Which, by the way, really does relax you. We would like to take time now to brag about our children and say that on the way there and back we received many comments from other passengers about how well-behaved our children were. I can only say: yes, of course, they act that way all the time- don't your kids?

In FL we spent our time doing a lot of nothing and it was fabulous. Jack built a lot of castles, forts, and mountains. Slowly he built up courage to go in the ocean and let the waves splash him. He would even let Pete hold him and take him out as far as I go, which isn't far because the last thing I need is a shark biting at my leg. He developed major swimming skills while wearing floaties. He could kick his legs, move his arms, go from one side of the pool to the other by himself, and had no problem being thrown from dad -to uncle-to uncle-to pappy. He developed a fear of jellyfish though, and by the end of our trip thought everything on the beach was a jellyfish. In trying to make light of the whole jellyfish phobia I told him that once I got stung by a jellyfish and daddy had to pee on my leg, true story and probably TMI, but I thought Jack would appreciate it.

Luke was super excited about the pool and loved every single minute of it. Smiling, kicking, splashing, and just living the life of being held in the water. He got to sit by the ocean and feel the sand move under his feet- he loved it all. We got to show everyone what a hunka munka he is. I don't think people really believe me when I tell them how much he eats because he isn't a chubby baby, but now I have people who will back me up.

Pete built a lot of castles, forts, and mountains, made up wonderful pool games with Jack like: dragon throws, turbo kicks, dolphin rides, pushing people in the pool, and more games than I could keep up with. He was able to go out in the ocean with his brothers, watch movies with them, and have 'conversations' with his dad.

I mostly read, held baby Luke in the pool, tried to work on my tan (instead of bronze I turned a real nice red), and was able see my cousin and her two boys. I also tried to give my mother-in-law a heart attack by spilling red wine on the carpet. I guess I should have told everyone I am a huge klutz. I always spill something, but it usually lands on me.We played min-golf one night, and it was Jack's very first time. While he doesn't have it down pat, he was actually really good. I see a bright future of holes in one. I couldn't tell which way he held the club because he had his own special way of holding it, but Pete swears he golfed left-handed- this is news because he writes right-handed.
We got to spend the week with Poppa (Pete's grandpa) and it was great to see him and Jack get to know each other a bit better.
So there you have it- a week in FL did us all good. P.S. Cassie we left you and Sean a note. :)

Hey Shawty -it's your birthday(and other awesomeness)

I have twisted the words of this song around a bit, but you'll the point-- Hey shawty it's your birthday and we're going to party like it's your birthday. We don't even care if it is your birthday. So the words aren't spot on, but I sing this the week leading up to my birthday. And this week I turned.........29! Sorry KY friends- I know you all are turning 30 soon, don't worry it will all be ok.

Friday night, spur of the moment, we went to Adelino's because we had a coupon. They serve food tapas style and it was so good. We had pitas and hummus, goat cheese on toasted bread, cherry peppers stuffed with provolone and wrapped in prosciutto, rabbit wrapped in cabbage, lamb, asparagus, and I tried the wine flight which included chianti, lambrusco, and a third I can't remember. It was so so good! (Jack really liked the goat cheese on toasted bread).

Then Sunday we had a family fun outing to the student union where we went bowling, played arcade games, and walked to the fountains on campus. Pete made dinner and it was also delicious - Filet for me, Strip for him, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, french bread with dipping oil, and cabernet. Then there was triple berry cheesecake made by Pete himself-- it is to die for. So so good. (Man, I love good food!)



Last week we received a washer-- thank you!!!!! It is awesome. We got the dryer to work by flipping the breaker, so we didn't have to get a dryer too. I just had to take a picture of it.



Our couch cushions looked disgusting and we thought they were beyond repair, but guess what? Just stick them in the washer and they look brand new! I love having a washer. Thank you! thank you!

Then this was our big news of the day. I told you all that Jack participated in the library reading program, and at the end he got to enter his name in a few prize drawings--- well-------HE WON!!!! He got the Lightning McQueen Scooter!!!!! I think Pete and I were happier than he was-- well at first. Once we picked it up from the library he started jumping up and down and said- Wow, this is impressive! haha - He is too funny! So of course here are a couple pictures.





Overall this has been an awesome week!! Yay!