If you can picture...

This was too funny not to share (although it doesn't speak well of my parenting skills)...

This morning Tyson and I were having breakfast, and our house was shaking a little. We looked outside to see that our streets were being repaved. So, that was that, we kind of watched them then went on with our morning.

I was on the phone a bit with family planning our Bear Lake get-away, and apparently Tyson got tired of waiting for me, so he just disappeared. I searched the house for a few minutes while talking to Lacey, then decided I better get off the phone and begin a more concentrated search for my son. I could not find him in any of his usual hideouts (park, basement, my shower, closets, etc.) so I began to worry. Mostly because I was still in my PJs (as was he) and it was 10:30. What would the neighbors think? Then I heard the roar of the paver passing by, and I left my prideful thoughts, and turned to more serious ones of, hoping that Tyson was not out there by those big trucks. I swallowed my pride and headed OUTSIDE for the pavers.

Not far into my walk, way in the distance, standing on the sidewalk, I spotted a little bum in red undies. I thought, "That can't be Tyson, he had green jammies on... Wait. OH, yes, he was wearing red underwear." Upon closer appraisal, I could see the green pajama bottoms at his ankles. Now that he was fine, I laughed a bit, and wondered in what state I would find him. I got over to him, he was complete unphased by my presence, and saw him standing as close to the edge of the sidewalk as he could be, with his undies halfway up (they go hung up on his bum) and his shorts around his ankles. I asked him what he was doing and he told me he was watching the pavers. "The pavers are rolling the street then the 'ment mixer is dumping mud..." I asked what was going on with his undies. He said that he did his peeps on the grass while he was watching the pavers. Sure enough, there was just enough evidence on the sidewalk in front of him to confirm that.

There were about 4 big trucks out there and 5 or 6 additional workers standing around. What did they think of the parent-less child standing inches away from those big machines, UNATTENDED, PEEING in the grass as he couldn't take his eyes off of them? Oh my word! It is going to be a good day :)

Allergy Update

I thought we were through the worst of it when I posted those pictures of Tyson earlier... However, shortly thereafter, G was off to the ER with him. His joints were black and purple and his face was so swollen (Have you seen Hitch??). Thankfully he took an advised pit-stop at our doctor's office, which probably saved us a few $100. Dr. Clayton (the BEST pediatrician we've every had--okay-- there have only been 2, but he is the best) said that it was the worst case of hives he had ever seen--he's been in practice for 40-50 years. We got some more meds and a steroid to help fight it off... but not before I snapped a few more pics :)

He is doing fine, I guess. He is so doped up on Benadryl and other drowsy-causing medicines that he is a walking zombie, but the hives seem to be under control. We just wish we knew what they were from.

Can you say CHUBBY?

Those of you who knew my first born as a baby probably thought he was the fattest baby you had ever seen, and that it would simply be impossible to get any fatter. Well....

The impossible has happened. Mace is officially the LARGEST 14 week-old baby on earth. Check out these flattering pictures of my sweet daughter. She sports 12-18 month clothing these days... SERIOUSLY.

At least she's happy, right??

Allergies Anyone???

Look what happened to my boy yesterday. He woke up with a small rash on his trunk, which quickly spread and was no longer a rash, but MAJOR hives. We have no idea how this came about/what caused it. Our personal ER doctors (Laurie and Ryan) diagnosed him with a VERY serious case of the HIVES, and saved us with some meds at midnight. After some Claritin, Benadryl, Motrin and Tylenol, and a good night's rest, Tyson looks more puffy than red.

This is yesterday about 6:00 pm. Tyson's "rash" was getting worse and he started to get a temperature, so I gave him a little bath... Even with the added bubbles, he was not happy--But then, you probably gathered that from the pictures :P

His body was a normal cool temperature anywhere the hives were not present. The hives were burning hot to the touch... so weird.

I put Tyson to bed at 8:00, and checked on him around 9:15. He was laying in his bed looking around. When I walked in he had a 15 questions for me about the little boy down the street who he's been playing with. "Mom, does Lijah (Elijah) have dump trucks, cement mixers and backhoes on his bed?" "Is Lijah asleep or in the bathtub?", etc. I felt so bad for him. He wasn't sad, just a little out of it and clearly too uncomfortable to fall asleep, exhausted as he was. So I brought him downstairs to be visited by Aunt Laurie.

Here he is around 10:00

TMI??? Possibly, but this was our first exposure to rash/allergic reactions... It was an interesting experience. For Tyson, too, I'm sure. He told me this morning "No more pictures, Mom!"

Back to the Humidity

First off, can I just say, how do they stand it??? We took our FIRST ANNUAL Zulauf family vaca to Ft. Lauderdale, FL this year. It was great minus the humidity. How could I have forgotten so quickly how miserable that is?? (Selective memory, I guess.) I loved living in Jacksonville. When I think about our time there, I think of great friends and awesome WEEKLY trips to the beach---not the weather in May, June, July, August, September, and 1/2 of October. But, despite the humidity, we managed to have a blast.

Participants in this year's festivities (an adults only trip--next year will be families) were: Greg, myself and Macy (she eats like an adult, so she was allowed to come), Lacey and Jeff, and Faith and Shaun. I know, we are missing more than half of the fam... They all chickened out on us.. but after stories of this trip start surfacing, I am sure we will have greater participation for next year (destination undecided).

Here are some pics of the trip.


Me, Greg and Mace (I wasn't going for a glamor shot--that just all there were of me :P)--Nice bangs, ehh?? Gotta love the humidity.


Lacey and Jeff


Faith and Shaun


Getting ready for the air boat tour....Notice our "muscle"--they kept us safe from the gators.



Our Fearless snorkelers!



Mace on the ride back from snorkeling... Just keepin it real! (check out her PEACE sign)



Baby Mace's 1st swim.. How precious!

Funniest Picture--what is that look?

Macers was sooo good for us. She didn't like the heat anymore than the rest of us, but she didn't complain too much. She started sleeping through the night on this trip (mind you she was 10 weeks when we were in FL) and she has kept it up like a champ. Chubby Ladies like their sleep!

Jeffery getting a little fatherly practice in... Soo funny all of the attention he got from having a DARLING baby strapped to his chest. We were definitely not in UTAH. (We were actually in South Beach, I believe Mace was the only baby for miles around, and rightfully so. That place was WACK!)

We were SOOOO tired when we finally found a place to eat in South Beach... Don't we look like we're having fun?!?

It was such a fun trip! I was sad to be off "vaca" but it was nice to get back home to see my boy!Can't wait for another trip next year!

FREEZE

I am sitting here listening to Tyson play with his action figures upstairs (ps-how do boys know how to make the sounds and do the voices for their toys? Must be an innate thing they come with... however they know, it's pretty darn cute!), and thinking about how badly I'd like to FREEZE my life where it's at right now. I love having a sweet baby to take care of and to love. And I really love my Tyson Boy (that's what he calls himself). My heart feels very full of love for my children (and Greg, too) right now. The way Tyson communicates is so cute, creative and hilarious. He is always coming up with great new sayings or picking up on things Greg and I have only said once or twice, or don't even remember saying. Our shock and amazement as parents is a daily occurrence with him.

Oh, life... There are times you hate it, and times you love it... Right now I am in love.

So we took Mace to the doctor's office yesterday for her 2-month check up, and she is, get ready-- at the 100 %tile mark for weight!!!! Can you believe my little porker?!?!! I knew she was pleasantly plump, but not that plump. If you can recall Tyson as a baby, you know he did not hunger (for food or attention :), our little [BIG] girl, has nearly doubled (only a few ounces away) in weight since she was born 8 weeks ago! Needless to say, she is a happy little thing.

............1 week .......................8 weeks ..........

Now, about my header... a total joke. I hope you know that I am not that cheesy. I was helping my sister Faithy start a blog, and I did that to make her laugh, and then I decided to see how long it would take for Greg to notice. So, please enjoy my little "sprinkle" of joy to your day, one day I'll change it... when I get around to making a new header.

Blessing Day

Mother's Day was especially meaningful this year because it was the day we blessed Macy. We had a large group, with G having so much family here, and me too, I guess, so we did it in the evening at our home. I was worried about the ability of my home to accommodate so many people, especially young ones, but the weather was beautiful, and the park outside was heaven-sent.

Here's an uncropped picture of our little angel.

Macy wore the dress that I was blessed in, which was very special. I loved getting her dressed that morning, thinking about me 27 years ago in the same dress...

Now, a few more pics for your enjoyment...

So, I was going for a "polk-a-dot" theme on the desserts, and I wanted the colors to be pink and white. However, when I stumbled across (okay, invented) this delish lemon cookie, I had to work yellow into the mix (the Trappys love anything lemon). I was very pleased with the results of my table... especially since these Handsome Lads did most of the assembling!

THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE FOR COMING!!!

(and for all of my family's help)

PS--We missed you Leticia & Josh, Zach & Jenny, Shelby, Jeff & Krystal, & Russ & Julie... We'll catch you next time.

5K Fun Run

I have never claimed to be a runner, and after running my first (and last) 5K, I will not be making that claim any time soon. Running is NOT fun (for me)! Granted, I did nothing to train for the "race" save give birth 5 weeks prior.... and was not at all active during my pregnancy, but I didn't think it would be that hard to run 3.? miles. I was wrong. When we hit the 1/2 mile mark and I was at the back of the pack, panting, I knew I was in trouble.

Shaun, our events coordinator, found out about this fundraising run and we all (me & Greg, Lacey & Jeff, Court & Carly--the only trained participant, Faith & Shaun, and Tyler--who was in town for Macy's blessing) thought it would be fun to do. My goal was to finish in 30 minutes or less (I thought for sure I could do 3-10 minutes miles), and thanks to a little shortcut I found along the way, I finished in 29 minutes and 34 seconds.

Lacey, the sweetheart that she is, ran with my slow, fat toosh the entire race (until she spotted the finish line and left me in the dust). About 2 1/2 miles into the race, I saw a break in the fence ahead of me. The other runners were going around the fence, but I was not foolish enough to do that! As soon as I caught sight of that opening, my legs took off. Lacey turned around to see me running through the grass and yelled, "Noel! You can't do that!" I hushed her and motioned for her to follow.. she did, a clear indication of her weariness. Greg says we cut about a quarter mile off. He also said as soon as he saw that opening he would have bet $100 that I was going to cut through there. That is pretty sad, I guess... but it felt oh, so good!

Our well-rested, energetic group

Jeff & Lacey

Faith & Shaun

Faith & Shaun with Tyler--the WINNER (of our group)!

...and yes, he did run in those shoes! He decided to join us the night before the race! He kicked our tooshies... I am going to say it's because of his LEGS... those things are LONG. We stubbies didn't have a chance... well, Court did.

Me & G

Court & Carly

Here we are after the race with a little less vigor