And the Battle Rages On

Did I mention we have mice?  Yes mice,as in the plural.  We have now caught around 10 and I am writing this while sitting at my mom's house because I saw my second one this morning.  I am writing this more as a venting and coping exercise more than anything I warn you.  Now let's backtrack for a moment.  I am an over-reactor and an anxiety ridden freak who does get swallowed up in the false info on the internet when I start to stress over something. When we found our first mouse, I told Tommy if we find one we will find at least 10.  My mom and Tommy assured me that it was probably just one or two and when we found the entrance point we would be done with them. Now although I am not happy about being right, maybe my over-reactions should sometimes be taken more seriously.

Tommy has dealt with all the rest and it had been about a week since we had seen really any or any signs of them.  At first I felt disgusting because maybe my house wasn't clean, but once the mice enter they can breed fast!  21 Gestational cycle to be more precise and from what I can tell they can start breeding soon after they are born.  So even if the mice entered my house a month ago there could be more!  Upon sighting, I packed up the kids and headed to my mom's house.  They are in one centralized location in our house it appears but I don't really like the thought of my children playing around areas where mice have been or could be.  Almost everything in my cupboard is now in plastic containers and I have just about lost my appetite.  I vacuum my house EVERYDAY, in every nook and cranny and underneath couches.  I sweep the kitchen no less than 5 times a day and continually spray lysol everywhere.  Everytime I walk downstairs I hesitate and slowly turn the corner for fear that I will see another one.

The exterminators are coming tomorrow. I called a number yesterday but after one company charges $39-$50 per mouse removed and the people at Orkin told me no less than 5 times that mice lay eggs, I decided on BEELINE Pest Control, so here's hoping.  While on the phone with the orkin tech, I even hesistated for a moment in my elementary knowledge that mammals don't lay eggs and even double check the internet just to be sure I hadn't completely lost my mind.  I mean it was supposedly a trained animal control technician.  But indeed, Mice are mammals and therefore do not lay eggs.  The Orkin tech kept telling me that I would need to have their services for a year because even though we may catch the live ones their eggs will be left in the walls to hatch.  Um, WRONG! Although the thought of a mice infestation makes my stomach churn, I do believe (and hope and pray) that we will soon be rid of them. After which will require another thorough cleaning of every cupboard, pantry, drawer, and baseboard in my entire house.   

Jack Jack

Jack has become a WILD comanchie!  He is seriously out of control!  He NEVER stops moving.  He is hands down the fastest crawler I have ever seen and could go forever. He continually bounces up and down. He is also a climber.  He can climb just about anything.  The latest accomplishment?  My bed. Now Porter is not safe anywhere.  Today, after learning his Articles of Faith, he was being "attacked" by Jack, he said, "Jack, you will be punished for your own sins and not for Adam's transgressions."

Jack loves to pillow fight and wrestle and thinks it is the funniest thing he has ever done!  Who knew getting hit in the face with a pillow was so funny?  Sometimes he gets laughing so hard I think he is going to stop breathing.  He can definitely take Porter in a fight and usually does.  Oftentimes when we are at the grocery store Jack rides in front and Porter will sometimes ride in the front.  Without even turning his head, Jack will reach his hand around and pull Porter's hair while he is still smiling at me.

This boy keeps me on my toes as he is constantly getting into one thing after another and the worst part is that he knows he is naughty and squeals in delight.  But however naughty, he is irresistible.  He knows how to be coy and flash his cute smile to everyone.  I now have a favorite checker at Rite Aid who never gives me an issue with anything now because she is so smitten with him.  It is amazing to see the differences in my two children.  Oh, and in case you are wondering?  No, his sleeping is still HORRIBLE!

He isn't quite walking but can balance FOREVER!

Porter's First Talk & The Articles of Faith

Ok, forgive me for a second for my proud parent moment.  Apparently he has an incredible ability to memorize. (not so good with numbers, did you know eleventeen is a number?) Does anyone else notice when he says name of Jesus Christ that he closes one eye like he is saying a prayer?  And I totally love it when the King says "NO!"

He is learning the Articles of Faith right now. They get to pass them off in Primary.  He's done two. Here are the first three. Love this little boy!