Vampire Baby

I have always loved to read.  When I was a little girl, it was my way of escaping.  I would read these 800 page novels as a 10-year-old, taking a flashlight to bed and reading until the sun came up.  When I read, I cannot put the story down.  I become utterly engrossed.  Which is why I no longer read very much.  As a parent, you cannot afford to become engrossed with much other than your family.  But ever so often I give in.  And for a few glorious days, I am immersed in characters & stories in a way that they feel so real to me.  I love it.

Back in December some very dear (and very wise) friends of mine made the decision that I was going to read the Twilight series so we could all go see the movie together over New Years. While I protested quite vehemently, these ladies do not give up easily, and I quickly submitted. Oh, thank goodness I did.  I immediately became intensely addicted, staying up all hours of the night and completely ignoring my wifely & motherly duties to read just one more chapter.  My kids got a lot of baths during those 2 weeks so I could sit and read while they played.  I don't care if the books are written for teen girls- I love them.  I wish I could be a vampire.  It would be awesome.  (But for the record, I did not name my daughter after the Twilight books. That would be lame.  It is merely a happy accident.)

About the same time I started reading the Twilight books, Jeff decided that we should try growing Jackson's hair out.  In my opinion, this has not been the greatest idea.  For almost 3 years, Jackson has had his trademark mohawk.  He was born with it, and his incredible cowlick has ensured its' longevity.  But I said okay.  I think he's adorable, so even with some moppy hair, he's pretty cute.

Then a few weeks ago, someone told me that Jackson's hair now looks like Edward's (from Twilight... seriously, read the books).  Since then, several more people have made the same observation.  I began to look at his hair from a completely different light.  In some small way, I can have a vampire baby.  

Take that, Renesmee.

(this one looks especially brooding-Edward-vampiresque to me)

So, my next reading assignment is to read all 6 Harry Potter books before the movie comes out in the summer.  When do you think Jackson is going to start wearing horn rim glasses?

Posted by Shara

Cookies

That girl loves her cookies.

Pigtails, Poop, & Pfountains

February in the Bachman house has been quite busy.  Other than the dead-man ACL in Jeff's knee (which has occupied most of our time), we thought we'd fill you in on the other big moments.

#1: Pigtails

Since the very moment the ultrasound

 technician told us "It's a girl!", Shara has been dreaming of a very special day.  And 2 weeks ago, that day came to pass.  After much frustration with Bella's ever-growing mullet, Shara decided to go for it.  And it was all she had hoped for:

Her little girl wearing pigtails.  

Pictures can't do it justice.

Bella, however, is not as excited about said pigtails.  She is quite unhappy about having them put in and will only quiet down about it if you sing "The Wheels On The Bus" to distract her.  They also don't have great staying power yet, and have to be fixed up throughout the day, after naps, when getting out of the car....  but we will carry on.  The cuteness is worth the fight!

#2: Poop

For most children & parents, bath time is a glorious time of the day.  Kids get to splash in the water.  Parents have their kids clean & contained.

  Everyone is happy.

For years, this had been the case in the Bachman house.  Then recently, something terrible began to happen.  And in the last few weeks has occurred EVERY time the kids have bathed.

POOP. IN.THE.BATH. 

 Sometimes by BOTH kids at the same time.  How does this even happen?

There are not words to describe the icky factor of this, and the immense hassle this creates. Cleaning the tub, the toys, and the kids, all while they cry & scream because they are standing cold & wet on the bathroom rug.  

(Inevitably at this time one of them will proceed to pee or poop on the rug during this portion of the process.  Awesome)

February has been marked by poop in the bath at least every other day.  We have waited to bathe our kids until both have had dirty diapers.  We watch their little faces to see if they look like they're about to go.  We warn them with all sternness NOT to poopie in the bath.  All these efforts have been in vain.  But our kids must have baths. Soooo..... we wait to see when the streak will be broken.

Don't they look so proud of themselves.

#3: Pfountains

If you know Jackson, you know that kid loves fountains.  He wakes up talking about them.  He bargains in order to see them.  He has an internal GPS that knows where every fountain, big or small, in town is. It is, truly, incredible.  

(For more on Jackson's fountain obsession, check out a post on Jeff's blog at www.2weaksofwriting.blogspot.com)  

With Jeff down, Jackson has been a bit, well, crabby.  To try and lift his spirits, we have been fountain crazy.  We decided to take him to as many fountains as possible.  We're making a little book for him of all his fountains, so he can visit them all the time (and hopefully get off our back a little....)

Other than Pigtails, Poop, & Pfountains, the best of our month has been the amazing people who have loved & supported us during Jeff's recovery.  So many people have brought us delicious meals, watched our kiddos, and prayed for our sanity.  Thank you to everyone for your love, support, & prayers.  We appreciate you more than you possibly know!

Posted by Shara

Black Cloud of Sick at the Bachman Home

So if a torn ACL isn't enough, there has been some added disease around the house. Both Jackson and Bella have come down with some sort of sickness. It started with Bella, so we have been calling her the carrier monkey around the house. She had this nagging and annoying cough that didn't really get any worse but also no better. From there this Monday Jackson got a fever that have been consistently above 100 deg. and fluid coming out of every hole above his head. With Jeff in his CPM machine 8 hours a day Shara has been playing Mama Nurse. Not her favorite but she is great at it. With an early spring and glorious views of the mountains we are hoping for a trip to the zoo on Friday where we can see seals, monkeys, elephants, tigers.... (as quoted and listed by Jackson). Here are a few fun family photos.  Posted by Jeff

Day 7 of ACL recovery

So it has been since last Wednesday (7 Days) since Jeff went in for ACL replacement surgery.  It has been quite a week while that has been happening.  In addition we have had 5 meals brought to us by kind and giving friends, both of our kids getting a nasty cough/cold, and Valentine's Day with flowers brought to the house and a 2 year-old birthday party of our nephew Liam.  All in all we have survived and made it pretty well.  Our making it is directly related to the hard work of Shara carrying the family through this time and as stated before the kindness of our dear family and friends who continually ask what they could do for us.  It looks like Jeff will be laid up to some degree for the next 3-4 weeks.  He is supposed to stay in his knee machine for 8 hours a day for the next two weeks and can't drive until then as well.  So February is a bit of a wash for us, but there is great time at home with the kids.  Though we are stuck at home we are always up for visitors so please swing by.  We will share some meals with you, laugh at Jeff and his knee, and you can wrestle with Jackson and Bella.  They are ready to play.  Thank you for all of your support and prayers during this time. Posted by Jeff

We have moved...our web site

In a day and age where we are not able to do full updates every day all the time we thought blogspot would be our best new friend.  Hopefully we will update more than once every year and a half. Posted by Jeff