This is bad, even for me!

So, a whole year with Daddy away can be neatly summed up by a card sent to us ~  On the front of the card it reads:  "One day you'll look back on this and say..." and you open it to find:  "Well, that sucked!"  And it did.  We all missed him so dreadfully, and he was so very lonely for his family.  But, we are proud of him and what he does to support his brothers and sisters in arms.  Our sacrifices seem small when compared to so many - but on their own, they still feel huge.  But, HE IS HOME.  And we are readjusting nicely, thank you.  He occasionally has to say, "I'm here now..." so I will stop trying to do absolutely everything on my own.   It's pretty cute.

So, BB is almost four and a half and so very interesting.  Some moments he is belligerent in his independence and others he (in his words this week) "always just want to be beside you, Mommy."  He had his first soccer practice yesterday, which was pretty hilarious. It was slightly less chaotic than I anticipated, but then, not everyone was there.  BB had a good time kicking the ball and wearing his new shin guards.  LB stood on the "sidelines" (a bit of a misnomer, since they didn't actually really play on the field so much as kick the ball around randomly in the vicinity of where we were supposed to be) happily munching from his snack cup and squirting his juice box everywhere.  He picked up a few errant soccer balls and brought them back to us, but was otherwise happy to just sort of chill.  I do wonder about actual games, and keeping him out of the fray when he gets that BB will be allowed to play with the ball and he is supposed to sit it out.  We shall see.  They frequently surprise me.  LB has started really using more and more words, and some short sentences.  He kicked me during a diaper change and immediately said what sounded like "sossy mommy."  His favorite friend is "raffe" - as in giraffe.  He knows most of the body parts, and like most toddlers, delights in poking you in the eye or the belly button with great force as he tells you the words for those parts of the anatomy.  He is still a super finicky eater, and some days I despair of getting him to eat real food.  He went through a phase where he ate Vienna Sausages - hardly a real nutritional win, but protein, at least.  Then, out of the blue, throws them at you.  Daddy said to him, "Buddy, it makes me sad to even buy these, but it makes me even sadder to have to throw them away." Both of these boys have established a stubborn, opinionated streak that make me think they may have been switched in hospital, since no one in our family is like that at all.

This has been a full and challenging year and now first quarter of 2012.   To everyone who said, "Cherish these moments, they go by so fast..."  I get it.  You were all right.  It is impossible that LB is almost two and that BB is getting ready to play (however loosely) a team sport.  Where did my babies go?

We now drive a minivan.  Which, sadly, I adore.  It's awesome.  We call it the Batmobile, and it now has cool bat-logo stickers on it.  I envision stealing Adam West's line for many years to come as I tell the family, "To the Batmobile!"  Whatever works, right?  It's way cooler than admitting to the minivan thing.

We are oh-so-very well, and I will (try not to laugh here) endeavor to post more than three or four times this year.

Peace out.

Memory

I am too busy making them, and trying to remember whether we need milk again ~ to remember or make the time to write anything here.  I called this early on, however, so am claiming points for being self-aware, at least.

Two little guys, with more and more interesting personalities every day.  BB is so very articulate, and literate.  Yesterday, he told me he was "not interested in apples for my snack, thank you, Mommy."  Not just no, but, three year old "heck, no."  Some other recent gems:  "Do you have issues, Mommy?  We don't have issues in the car."  "Mustangs are cooler than Jaguars."  "Is that a rice burner or a Harley?"  When asked recently what he wanted for his birthday, he said, "Cake.  And Cookies.  And maybe cupcakes, too."  When the follow up, "what about presents?" was posed; his reply was, "That would be good."  Kid has priorities. 

Things I never thought I would say, and have... "Don't hit the dog with the pumpkin, please."  "Please stop licking me, that's just weird."  "Please don't eat your shoe."  "Don't pee on your brother, that's icky."  "I told you that soap was not going to taste good." 

I have a whole new appreciation, which I shared with my beloved recently, for the business of family dinners.  Not just the cooking of said meal, which everyone knows is not my forte, but the whole process of deciding what to make, getting the ingredients in house, figuring out when it will hit the table, who will eat what, and how to use the least number of dishes possible so that clean up is quick.  I think, after trying this for a while without his abundant talent and expertise to hand; that the most trying part may well be the front end, not the actual cooking.  I told him recently that the next time he asked me what I wanted for dinner that I was going to actually make an effort to give him an answer.  Usually, I am so grateful to have a wonderful cook doing this for us that I have said something along the lines of "it doesn't matter to me, whatever you want to make."  You see, I thought I was being easy to please, accommodating, and expressing my inner feeling that I was happy with anything at all, because I didn't have to cook it.  In reality, I now understand that some sort of an answer is actually helpful, because it takes at least part of that burden, the endless decisions, day after day after day after day of what to make ~ off his plate, pun intended.  Looking at it from the other side of the chopping block has been illuminating, to say the least.  LB has started feeding himself, occasionally with a spoon, with varying levels of success.  Bath night is any night he eats without help. BB is getting more adventurous, loves broccoli, has eaten pad thai noodles, likes rice, satay, and quesadillas.  We went to a Japanese steak house with some friends, talking up how cool it would be to watch them cook the food right in front of you... LB stayed home with a friend, this was a big boy date.  As soon as the chef lit the oil and flames went shooting up from the grill, BB was under the table.  Literally.  It wasn't until all the food was cooked and the chef left that we coaxed him out to eat his food.  He did try eating with some kid friendly chopsticks - and did a pretty good job!

We are all doing well, it is hard to believe how grown up these little guys are already.  It's a blast to watch their relationship develop, the little guy doesn't take any guff from the big one.  He will grab a handful of BB hair and just lay on him.  Pull him right over.  LB is starting to use some words, "no" (complete with head shake) and "dog" being among his favorites.  He still lights up when BB sings to him or kisses him, or pays him the right kind of attention.  A bond of brotherhood is definitely being formed - complete with the contests.  There is a lot of pushing at our house, and I thought I was talking about sharing a lot before ~ I was just warming up.  For Halloween, I wore a striped shirt with a whistle... but it was less of a costume than my current occupation.  I think that whistle is going to come in handy.

Whole new ball game...

So, it's official.  The little guy is walking.  Not well, and not far ~ but he is walking.  And has teeth.  What happened to my little baby?  Now there are little boys in our house.  And they sure are cute together.  Big brother is so very helpful and cute.  He is, as predicted, getting a little possessive of his favorite toys... but most of them are not good for the little brother yet anyway.  Yet.  We have had a lot conversations about sharing, (and I feel sure will have many more) and I have to say that he is, for a three year old, doing pretty darn well with it.  He will even take things over to his little brother (LB from here in) voluntarily, especially if the little guy is unhappy.  He sings to him and only pushes him occasionally.  At this moment, when big brother (BB from here in) pushes him, LB thinks it is HILARIOUS.  He still thinks every bit of attention he gets from BB is pure gold and smiles every time BB opens his mouth.  Our poor dog can't decide how to feel about it.  Bigger boys means better food dropped more often - a definite plus... but mobile boys like to pursue soft fur... not such a plus.  BB likes to feed the puppy, though, which is helpful.  He also can get the key, unlock and open the door, and let the dog in or out into the backyard... which is helpful, but scary.

So, we are muddling through, and I have a whole new definition for the word "tired."  I don't think I really understood it before.  I never have trouble sleeping anymore, which is nice.  The boys are pretty good sleepers, too ~ finally.  It will be better when they are old enough to understand Saturday morning doesn't have to come at 6:00 a.m., though.  That will be what, 13 or so?

Until next time, pleasant journeys.

How do other people do it?

Not that I am competitive... but how do all my friends have time for cool blogs?  I have pretty firmly established that I will get to this about once every three or four months, depending on what is happening in our lives.  Sigh.  So, it is February.  I am not yet finished with my thank you notes from Christmas (very unlike me, and something I should be doing now instead of this...)  The little guys and I are doing well, though we sure do miss Daddy.  It is the little every day things I miss the most.  It is wonderful to see his face and hear his voice on Skype, but it is just not the same.  The boys seem to be coping pretty well, despite the fact that they are stuck with Mom's cooking.  :-)  I know that this is harder on him than on me, because I get to see our kids every day and he does not.  But he is doing his best, and sends notes and things in the mail, and we talk.  Today, February 14, he sent me a beautiful bouquet of roses.  We weren't supposed to do anything.  But they sure are pretty.  Though I miss my husband more than words can express, I am a pretty darn lucky lady.  I am counting my blessings, and they are many. 

November 2010

What a year! I cannot believe it is almost December.  This has been a VERY full year for us, some trying, some amazing.  Our little family is growing so rapidly, and is so much fun to watch.  Yesterday, our newly minted three year old said to his father, "Daddy, we talked about this.  Remember?"  Something I say to him on a frequent basis, I confess.  (Not to Daddy, to the little guy.)  He is precocious, to be certain.  And such a great big brother.  All my fears of his jealousy and displacement seem to be for naught.  Now, when his little brother is mobile and starts getting into his stuff, things may change.  But for now, they are so very sweet to each other.  The surest way to get the baby to laugh is for his big brother to talk or sing to him.  LOVES it.  The little guy has figured out how to roll over and has started "scooting."  Not a crawl, really, but traveling, nonetheless. 

March to September 2010

So... I predicted this, to an extent.  When my life is busy, full, and exciting; I tend not to sit down and record it.  Now, we have two boys, three if you count the dog.  (Which we sometimes do, he needs care, feeding, and love, too!)  Being mom to two is different, but so unbelievably cool.  I sleep less, but function fine.  (I think there is an excellent biological design that allows new parents to do what has to be done, and survive, even enjoy those times which may not appear to be all fun.)  Even with the middle of the night feedings, and that cry that is directly connected to my central nervous system responses;  I know that I will miss this when it is over.  It will be exciting when the little brother is moving and doing things on his own, playing with his big bro; but that time when Mommy is food and solace for everything is precious and indescribable.  It is powerful.  When your kid's face lights up at the sight of you, there is a joy unlike any other. 


The big boy is a source of continuous amazement.  He is so darn smart.  He is growing up so fast, and such a sweet and thoughtful child.  He is a toddler, and is learning about control and independence.  But even as he does, it is phenomenal to see him learning, growing.  Potty training is - well, training.  He does well when he wants to.  But he has to want to.  I confess that while pregnant and immediately post partum, it was a lower priority for us, and he seems to be progressing almost despite my encouragement for that window.  He loves to build things, he loves fire trucks, and says the most entertaining things.  We went to ride Thomas the train a few weeks ago - THAT was fun!

Once a quarter??

So, it's March.  1Q 2010 has flown right by me.  We are more than halfway through the construction of boy number two, and everything seems to be going well.  The photos available to expectant parents today are really amazing.  I wonder how it was, before, when one simply had to wait and wonder... and wait and wonder... I suppose it was exciting, but I confess that the type A part of me loves having access to exact information about how he is doing, what he looks like, etcetera.  Technology ~ both the bane and benefit of life in general, and parenting in particular.  While our grandparents didn't have the thrill of seeing their children in detail before they were born, they also didn't have to worry about the brave new world of technology and it's inherent dangers.  I have been recently reading about some of the really scary things that happen online ~ from people sharing photos on Facebook without strict privacy settings and their kids' images being sent hither and yon for various purposes (not always predatory, but one still likes to have some control over who sees their precious little one's faces and know what they are being used for) to this whole "sexting" thing.  I mean, (though I hope to not have to worry about this for a while yet :-) ) back when "I'll show you, you show me" was just between two kids, it was fraught enough ~ but now those moments can amount to "I'll show you, and then you'll show everyone on the internet..."  it's enough to keep a parent awake at night!  I guess I am old fashioned.  That's why the photos you see on these potentially "public" sites don't ever show our little man's face, and I send photos securely to those we love and trust.  It's just safer, and as mom, my job is to protect him from - well, everything - except, of course, those life experiences which will help him build character... but that comes later.  :-)  I won't guard him from learning things, but I will always try to protect him from unnecessary dangers.

Soap box away now. (This SOC forum is always fun for me... sometimes I don't really know what I have to say until I start typing.)

The littlest member of our family is very active these days, I think he may have a future as a soccer player, or a really good dancer like his mom.    I continue to feel good, though sometimes a wee bit frustrated that there are things I cannot do.  But, my wonderful husband more than picks up the extra things that need doing and is pretty much the coolest guy I know.  I frequently wish I had figured out how truly amazing he is a long, long time ago.  But, I suppose we are where we are supposed to be, and it is wonderful.  Sometimes, when we really think about what it is going to be like with two little boys in the house, it makes us laugh nervously... but we are really excited.  When you don't think you can have something miraculous, it makes you appreciate it more when you do actually get it.

The little man already outside continues to amaze us.  He is talking up a storm, and no longer just the parrot... now he speaks independent, spontaneous thought.  "I love this song."  "Are you happy, Mommy?  It makes me glad when you are happy."  "I want potty chocolates."  (Which, while adorable, just sounds wrong, somehow.)  In the public restroom, he asks, (not quietly) "Did you go pee in the potty, Mommy?"  My current favourite was this past week... Dad was trying to get him to come into the bathroom to brush his teeth.  I was in the kitchen.  Little man comes running out of the bedroom, heading for the toys.  I ask, "What are you doing?"  He replies, "I not listening to Daddy."  Honest, and pretty self aware, if not the answer I was hoping for... He loves throwing a ball of any kind (and knows the difference between football, baseball, and soccer balls) and cars of all ilk.  He is much, much better at building things with his blocks, though knocking them down still holds a great deal of joy.   His imagination is clearly developing.  I came home the other day to find he and Daddy with the building blocks - they had made a kitchen, and all the Lego guys were sitting at the table they had built, while my boys made their food in the "kitchen."  He builds cars and trucks and airplanes.  His architectural style is currently sort of a drunken Jackson Pollack approach... but they are fun to watch, if not structurally sound.  He is still a voracious devourer of books - something I think will be long term.  (It's hereditary.)  I actually downloaded a Curious George book on the Kindle to read in the doctor's office the other day ~ SO COOL.

So, we are well, and hope you are.

2010

So, once a month was more than I could manage in November and December.  C'est La Vie.  And what a vie.  Little man's second birthday was a lot of fun for everyone.  Two sets of grandparents came for Thanksgiving, which was wonderful, and we had a small party for the birthday boy.  His personality is so enchanting now.  He is getting much better at telling us what he wants or "needs" and we can have exchanges which resemble actual conversations now!  Now, to work on the whining part of the delivery... but, truthfully, he really is such a delight.  Thanksgiving was a fun time to share the news that the little guy needs to practice his big brother skills with the family.  It seems that the past two (okay, three) months have just whizzed by, leaving me a bit windblown, with a dazed look on my face, I suspect. 

December was a whirlwind and this year we actually interacted with Santa several times without tears.  There were a few that didn't go well, but it got better as we saw him out and about more and more.  Being together on Christmas morning and watching my boys open up and play with their new toys was such a joy.  Then we were off to Atlanta for a few days of family, food, cookies and craziness.  It was amazing.  We really had such a good time with all of both sides of our families all together ~ even if the grill did almost catch my sweetie's hair on fire.  No one was actually harmed, and we had a really great day.  I especially enjoyed that my little guy got to spend time with his grandparents and cousins who he doesn't get to see as often.  It was very special to have them all running around and such fun to watch them interact. 

So, now it's 2010.  We are starting the potty training process.  He will sit on, and sometimes urinate in, the "potty."  (Note:  None of us go to the bathroom anymore.  We all go potty.  Things you never think you will hear yourself say.)  Yesterday, Dad asked him if he was ready to go potty.  He said yes,  ran into the bathroom naked and peed on the floor. At least he got the right room....   Like most kids his age, however, if he is doing something interesting or fun, he does not want to stop what he is doing and go.  It's a process.  I fear he has already figured out it is something he actually gets a vote in!  We can take him in there, but we can't make him go!   Seeing him sitting on the throne with a book, though, really is just too hilarious for me.  Cracks me up every time. 

SO (drum roll, please) this weekend, we plan to go get the BIG BOY BED.  Sigh.  I don't know if he's ready.  I am pretty sure I am not.  But, it's time.  We have to get him settled in his own space before July so he doesn't resent the usurper in HIS crib quite as much.  Which also means we have to get a mattress, twin sheets - it's going to be a big deal.  I am excited, but think that it may be a while before any of us gets a decent night's sleep.  Maybe I'm wrong, he has made so many other transitions so seamlessly... I guess we'll just have to see. 

Our big snow storm ended up giving us a little more than an inch.  Just enough to make snowballs.  It was fun, if cold.  We will celebrate our anniversary on January 30th.  It's hard to believe.  These years have gone by so quickly.  I can hardly visualize a past without my wonderful husband, and I can't imagine what adventures these boys hold for me in the next year.  I do know that I am looking forward to finding out!

So, once a month...

Seems to be my general posting trend.  I'm too busy enjoying my time with my boys to apologize.  Halloween was a blast.  Our little man did really well at charging on up to the door and knocking.  He held his little Elmo bucket out for candy.  He only actually uttered the words "trick or treat" at the last two houses, despite all our practicing.  And, to my dismay, he only managed three "thank you's" despite all our prompting.  Next year.  Being less than a week away from two years old, he has definite opinions.  Strong ones.  We cannot figure out where this comes from... Yesterday morning he was sitting up in his big boy chair at the dining room table having some Cheerios before school.  He dipped his chin down and looked up at us sweetly with those puppy dog eyes and said, "Halloween candy?"  For breakfast.  That was his request.  Bear in mind he has maybe had three pieces total from his haul on 10/31.  But, ah, the child has a memory without rival.  So, he seemed to accept the explanation that Halloween candy is not for breakfast - eventually, but not until he asked six or seven times.  Sweetly, too - no whining, saying please... he knows, I tell you.  He knows how to work us.

We have been talking up his birthday, trying to get him in the swing of it.  He can hold up his fingers and tell you that he is ten. We're working on backing that down to two.  I'm not quite ready for him to be ten.

He can identify Santa Claus on sight. I think the days of the high chair are numbered.  He likes sitting at the big table.  I will miss being able to strap him into a single spot while he eats... but I have to let him move on.  The dog will be delighted, no doubt.  He has not yet climbed out of his crib, but he easily could.  I think we are looking at the switch to a big boy bed just after Christmas. 

We are all very much looking forward to all the grandparents being here for Thanksgiving, that is going to be so wonderful!

More later...

October already?

As usual, time flies by. Each day brings something new... our little guy is getting much more proficient at riding his wheeled vehicles, and is pretty good about the helmet now. He has moved up, with a lot of his friends close to the same age, to a new classroom, which has all new things to explore. (They have a bigger kitchen play set, which delights him.) He is also a big fan of the vacuum and broom. We are certainly trying to foster these traits, which will no doubt endear him to others in the future! We've moved some furniture around the house to make a better race way and play space for him... which was clearly well worth our while ~ since all he wants to do is jump on the sofa and climb on the coffee table. Sigh. :-) I think his high chair days are numbered, though I am the one fighting to hold on to that... there is something to be said for strapping him down at mealtime so he can't wander around with food! It's confusing for the puppy, to have snacks wandering around at his level... but he is SUCH a good dog.

Little man's vocabulary is really taking off. He can identify a LOT of animals (with corresponding sound effects) as well as most of the characters in the Winnie the Pooh books. He knows Mickey Mouse, Superman, Batman, Curious George, and Handy Manny on sight. (As well as some of Manny's tools.) He says something new just about every day, and is actually putting things together such as "more cheese mommy please." It does, I confess, (for now at least) make it harder to refuse him when he asks so correctly. (Of course, I am a sucker to start with, which doesn't help.) We are trying to make him a good eater, and he is pretty good with most fruits and vegetables so far. He hasn't met a "carne" he doesn't like, unsurprisingly. Some days he just wants what he wants and will flat out reject that which he ate with gusto the day before; but overall, I think he does well. He is running around a lot, and starting to lose that precious little baby buddha belly. Overall, he is starting to resemble a little boy. A sweet, thoughtful, loving; if somewhat rambunctious and opinionated, little boy. (Where he could have gotten an inherent genetic stubbornness is completely beyond us.)

We are looking forward to our first trick or treating experience, and to seeing all the grandparents at Thanksgiving. It will be a houseful of fun!