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!

Whirlwind weekend snapshots

Whirlwind weekend

So, Daddy is finally home! Being an operatively single parent for three weeks was a learning experience, to be certain. Hats off to the parents who do it every day. I know you find some inner reserve that allows you to do what has to be done... because it has to be done. But having a wonderful partner sure does make it a lot easier, and I am clearly spoiled by mine. We picked Dad up at the airport, where we were both VERY glad to see him again, on Friday. On Saturday, we went to the local county fair (it was the last day) and spent most of the day/evening there. Little man had a blast. Fed the goats and camel; saw a real live organ grinder monkey - handed it a dollar, in fact; climbed on a dozen tractors (possibly the highlight of his day); talked to the cows, bunnies, roosters, ducks; saw chicks actually hatching from their eggs; and saw a sheepdog demonstration. When one of the goats nipped him during feeding, he shook his finger at the little animal and told it repeatedly, "No bite! No bite!" (Guess he has heard that a time or two...) He "dug" potatoes out of the sawdust plot, watched Dad milk a pretend cow, and helped gather some indestructible eggs from the pretend chickens. (It was a cute little setup for little kids to be "farmers for the day" and he had a good time. Especially when he was throwing the sawdust mulch everywhere...) He had kettle corn, chocolate ice cream, a corn dog, and some baked beans... and didn't get sick. We're so proud. It was a good day, though a long one.

On Sunday, we got up and drove over to get Dad's car from the unit, and went to the aquarium. It was also pretty cool. Little man was more interested in the turtles than the fish, but they have a lot of turtles, so it was good. They have a small butterfly aviary, where the inhabitants were also admonished, "no bite!" when they flitted too close. The otters were sort of fun, and the jellyfish exhibit is absolutely beautiful. They are so ethereal, so graceful. We stopped in a Mexican restaurant for lunch, and the beef burrito was not our best plan for the boy, but these are learning experiences, right? I think hubby's shirt may eventually come clean... but can't be sure yet. Let me do a little plug for the portable Tide pen, though. Every parent should have one in their car, their purse, and two in the diaper bag. Those suckers rock.

Overall, the little man was a super trooper for all the activity. He is such an interesting little person now. Yesterday, I asked hubby what the little guy was saying (over and over and over) in the next room, because it didn't sound like English. So, Hubby, who couldn't tell either, said, "I have no idea." Then you hear this little voice saying, "no idea. no idea." Such a mimic. Such a sponge.

Catching up...

The weekend after the reunion, we cruised on up to the closest Army base to get Dad a few things he needed for his uniform, and the boys got haircuts at the post barber shop. I was a little tiny bit anxious, I confess, but little man did really well, and the lady wielding the clippers had obviously done this before. Several thousand times. That week. She was great. It is pretty short, but he looks adorable, and he is good for the rest of the summer, I suspect! He made a mess of his shirt in the car on the way up, and then had little hairs on him, so we got a tee at the post exchange with "US Army Soldier in Training" on it. It's a little early for indoctrination :-) but he was more comfy for the rest of the day and it did sort of match his hair. It's a bit of a dance for me... I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for those who willingly give up so much - often literally everything - to defend what they believe; so half of my heart is filled with pride. The other half cannot help but want those I love to never be in harm's way. (I'm clear I am not unique in this dichotomy.) But it helps me to look it in the eye. I'm not trying to raise a little boy shoot-em-up-wanna-be-soldier just because I live here and he is a boy and Daddy has chosen to serve his country (which again, I respect and admire SO much) but I recognize (already) that my little guy is going to make choices that I would not have made for him. And I will tell him what I think, and try, try, try to hear what is in his heart. So, ultimately, this little tangent is not just about military service. If he chose that, I would be proud and terrified, like every other mother out there. That is probably true of any number of paths our children might take. But the larger point of my ramblings is that every day I see him learning something new - and figuring things out on his own - and as he continues this process called growing up I am more and more in awe of mothers in general. That balance between pushing them, pulling them, holding them tight and letting them go; in a million little different ways each and every day just amazes me.

It's funny, this is not where I had intended this post to go, but it just sort of flowed. So, today especially, my hat is off to the moms I know. I had no idea how you felt - until I became one. I have some amazing girlfriends who have already taught me so much - I hope I can remember it all when these things come up for us! For my own mom - and my husband's - I wonder how you managed all we put you through with such grace. I hope I learned something from you along the way. This is a tough job. And a most excellent sorority. Thanks, Ladies.

Let me throw in a quick disclaimer here, Dads are awesome, too. I have an incredible dad, and I married one, too. But, today, I was just thinking and writing as a mom. Those cool men I know are used to our emotional ramblings, and beautifully patient with them - and us. :-) Thanks.

Behind...

I do get irritated with myself when I get behind - this has been true of every diary, journal, or blog I have ever attempted in my life. When things are slow, or I have been lonely, there is endless time for introspection and writing. Then, I will meet someone, change jobs, go on a trip, or get involved in life in some fashion, and all my interest in stopping to chronicle seems to evaporate. Two, six, ten months later, I will come back to the neglected forum and think, "Wow, it would have been great if I had gotten these experiences down while they were fresh in my mind..." Alas, I am aware of this pattern but apparently, incredibly unmotivated to alter it. :-)

So ~ we all went to a small semi-reunion of the band that we belonged to in High School (please feel free to insert any High School Musical 25 or "band camp" jokes here...) and it was huge fun. It was amazing, that even after 25 years, I would have recognized any of these people had I bumped into them in an airport. Time has been kinder to some, as is always the way, but overall, we looked GOOD! And it was fun to catch up - and especially fun for me because these were people who knew my husband and me when we were dating (on again, off again, on again with the requisite adolescent drama) in high school. So, to the people who saw us hold hands on the bus and snuggle in the bleachers during football games, it was perfectly natural that we were married. (Poor mom would always ask who won the game when I got back from these events, and I rarely knew. It was about halftime, and holding hands!) It was fitting, that after practicing signing my now-married-name on endless notebook pages in school - I was ready to sign the guest register that way. I'd like to think my penmanship has improved, but can't actually claim it to be so. So, it was a lovely evening. Little guy hung in there until 10:30 p.m. and was really very well behaved and a lot of fun!

Summer Snapshots

A few images of our summer... we really do love playing in our backyard and harvesting herbs.

Summer flies by

This weekend, we loaded up our bikes and went for a ride on the "greenway" (a local path designed for walkers/bikers which runs by the river.) After a long week, it was really nice to get away for a bit in the great outdoors. (Plus, I am really out of shape and NEED the exercise!) Little man really seems to enjoy riding in his little bike seat and every person we passed smiled or observed his super adorable cuteness. Riding up between Daddy's handlebars with their matching helmets and his little sunglasses on, he is pretty darn irresistible. Then, he rode his little tricycle around the neighbourhood. His little legs are just long enough to reach the pedals, and he does NOT want any help!! He ran into the curb about 20 times, but apparently, that is hilarious. I, for my part, am getting much better at stifling that innate sharp-intake-of-breath reflex... I know I have to let him stretch his wings, but it's tough, sometimes. Last weekend, the little man an Mom went to visit the Georgia grandparents and go to a friend's birthday party while Dad played soldier. It was so very strange to get in the car all alone and head out somewhere. I mean, I do it now and again, but usually, the boys are at home. Being away made it feel so very odd. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for letting me do that! (I only called once and texted two or three times from the party, thank you very much.)