Toolson Family Adventures

The other day, Tyler pointed to a fly on the ceiling and shouted “I command you to get down.”  We’ve yet to figure out where he learned this but thought it was strangely awesome!

Brooklyn has been congested these past few days which upsets her and therefore ultimately keeps Lindsey and me awake at night.  But she’s too cute to be frustrated at 3 in the morning when I’m holding her in the rocking chair.  I love it actually but I do look forward to when she’ll be sleeping more at night.

We signed Tyler up for soccer.  He has practice on Mondays and Wednesdays which I surprisingly love!  It’s fun to know that immediately after work I can remain busy and still spend time with the kids by going to soccer practice.  I’m sure this will get old when all 3 kids are older and enrolled in way too many extra curricular activities that we will have to shuttle them back and forth to.  Kaitlyn comes with us and we sit on the grass and watch the kids struggle to remain attentive to their coaches.  Tyler usually just stands still and stares at everyone.  When they have drills, he walks through them.  The only time he runs is to and from water breaks.  This is something we are working on.

Before Brooklyn was born, Lindsey expedited Kaitlyn’s potty training.  The first few days were different for me because she obviously couldn’t use the bathroom alone like Tyler and therefore we always had to get the stool out and help her on and off.  Tyler played a big role in her potty training as he was incentivized – everytime Kaitlyn used the bathroom, he would earn a nickel as would she.  So he’d always ask her if she needed to use the bathroom and then encourage her to do so when she didn’t want to.  She’s been doing great and can use it herself without our help, although she still is still hesitant to go #2 and insists we use a diaper.  I completely understand as going #2 in a diaper must be the funniest thing on earth.

Brooklyn was born on August 2nd at 11:55 a.m. weighing in at 8lbs 6oz and was 20.5 inches tall.

When I first met Lindsey I knew right away she was a godsend as she was beautiful, selfless, mature, independent, motivated and determined.  Today, she’s magnified these qualities and attributes and is such a wonderful with and mother.  Her ability to deal with being pregnant all the while caring for the kids is astounding and unprecedented.  I’m glad to have her in my life and look forward to many years to come together.

She had prayed that the baby would decide to arrive on her birthday, granting her birthday wish true but such has not been the case.  In fact, when we went to the hospital a few days ago due to ongoing contractions, we learned that the baby was breech yet again.  This caused worry as if the baby didn’t turn when it was time for delivery, Lindsey would have to undergo a c-section birth which she does not want.  Well yesterday we went in to have the baby turned to learn that she was vertex!  Lindsey was relieved so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that she remains this way.

Over the course of 2 years, we’ve had to sell both of our bengal cats which left us with just Chino who would eventually turn up missing.  So when driving by a “free kittens” sign, I couldn’t resist and we welcome Pirate to the family.

I was working on Tory’s motor scooter and decided to take my shirt off to keep cool outside.  3-4 hours later, a wicked sunburn appeared, one of the worst I’ve ever had.  I was unable to sleep in a normal position without it hurting and the position I eventually ended up coming up with created more of a problem as when I awoke, I had somehow managed to pinch a nerve in my neck.  It’s been a long weekend having a wicked sunburn and a pinched nerve in my neck and I can’t wait for this week to be over.

For the 4th, we celebrated by having a small BBQ and watching Aunt Tory and the neighbors light fireworks.  Tyler couldn’t get enough of the fireworks and begged to do more today.  Kaitlyn enjoyed them more this year contrary to last year where she kept wanting to go inside because the noises were too loud for her.  This time next year we’ll have 3 kids to celebrate with!

In March of 2008, Lindsey turned over one of my parent’s rental properties.  At the time, the tenants who had been living there had been there for 27 years and so the “damage” done was normal wear and tear over such a long period of time.  She got it looking good again over a period of a 3-4 weeks and had it rented out in no time.  Here are before and after photos from 2 years ago.

Well the new tenants, a husband and a wife, recently moved out and upon doing so we realized it was in worse condition after their 2 years of living there than than was done with the tenants of 27 years.  But Lindsey accepted the challenge and within 2 weeks of extensive repairs, and fixes, she had it looking like new and rented again.  The carpet, baseboards, carpet tacking, and bad sheetrock was completely removed and replaced.  My knees are stiff and sore from installing the baseboards and I refuse to ever do finishing work again.