Apparently, being able to fall asleep anywhere, anytime, in an instant is a distinctive male trait.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Apple Festival
This past weekend, our not-so-little-anymore family went to a local apple festival. The rain held off long enough for us to be able to enjoy fresh pressed apple cider...
Combine all of that with the deliciousness of apple fritters, apple dumplings, apple pie ice cream, corn chowder, kettle corn, apple cider, and BBQ sandwiches and I'd say it was a pretty nice day indeed.
Then we cranked off the kernels on ears of feed corn, (it was a true team effort... Sayer and I sat on the side and cheered)
Of course, we danced to a bluegrass band,
And said hello to an impossibly small looking Screech Owl, (looks like a distant cousin to Pidgwig)
It wouldn't be fall if we hadn't picked out some pumpkins, (with serious concentration)...
After which, with equal concentration, the girls painted their pumpkins...
Then they took turns trying out cowboy hats to find one for our scarecrow...
And of course, trying on the hats required some of their best scary faces.
Combine all of that with the deliciousness of apple fritters, apple dumplings, apple pie ice cream, corn chowder, kettle corn, apple cider, and BBQ sandwiches and I'd say it was a pretty nice day indeed.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Preschool!
Bean started preschool on Wednesday! Thinking back to her "I'm-Going-To-SCREAM-bloody-murder-if-you-so-dare-to-leave-me-here" days, I never would have imagined the day would come where she would practically skip out of bed at the sheer mention of preschool.
This morning, I walked into her room to wake her and her first words were, "Get the 3 away! The 3 is not being nice to me today!" (Yeah, I have no idea). And then, seconds later, "IS TODAY PRESCHOOL DAY!?" (Yes, when she's excited, she speaks in capital letters).
It's actually a preschool co-op, so my turn to teach will come soon. For now, Bean is under the care of some very awesome and competent people who have already taught her far more than I would have imagined could be imparted in two 3 hour class days.
Yesterday, the kid wrote her name. The day before, she drew a picture of herself and me. And we had bones. When she comes out of preschool and I ask about her day, she speaks without punctuation,
"First we had circle time and we sang songs and then we cut houses out of boxes and I drew a picture of us and the pretzels looked like waffles and then we learned to keep our hands to ourselves and to be kind to others and I think I want to do another craft tomorrow at preschool and is preschool tomorrow?" *Takes a breath* "Oh and guess what I saw Tucker there and he was having fun with Katie and the boys and we all sang a lot and then LUNCH and then..." This often goes on for quite awhile.
I'm super excited for what's to come and love that she's learning a little bit of structure and a BIG love of learning.
(Thanks to Theresa for the pictures! I'll have a few more to post in the next few days)
This morning, I walked into her room to wake her and her first words were, "Get the 3 away! The 3 is not being nice to me today!" (Yeah, I have no idea). And then, seconds later, "IS TODAY PRESCHOOL DAY!?" (Yes, when she's excited, she speaks in capital letters).
(That's the beginning of the Bean/Mommy Portrait)
It's actually a preschool co-op, so my turn to teach will come soon. For now, Bean is under the care of some very awesome and competent people who have already taught her far more than I would have imagined could be imparted in two 3 hour class days.
Yesterday, the kid wrote her name. The day before, she drew a picture of herself and me. And we had bones. When she comes out of preschool and I ask about her day, she speaks without punctuation,
"First we had circle time and we sang songs and then we cut houses out of boxes and I drew a picture of us and the pretzels looked like waffles and then we learned to keep our hands to ourselves and to be kind to others and I think I want to do another craft tomorrow at preschool and is preschool tomorrow?" *Takes a breath* "Oh and guess what I saw Tucker there and he was having fun with Katie and the boys and we all sang a lot and then LUNCH and then..." This often goes on for quite awhile.
(Notice Bean chatting it up (or looking bossy) at the top left)
I'm super excited for what's to come and love that she's learning a little bit of structure and a BIG love of learning.
(Thanks to Theresa for the pictures! I'll have a few more to post in the next few days)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Best Laid Plans of Mice, Men, and Moms of Three Kids
We were slated to be somewhere at 10am. I planned accordingly, had the kids dressed, fed, ready by 9:15am. Then the little one pooped.
(And yes, I half considered stuffing him into the car seat anyway. But fear not for his behind...)
I unbuckled his seat and reached under him to lift him out. And felt the tell-tale warmth of the product of his efforts seeping out of his drawers and onto my hand. Ew.
He kicked his legs and cooed while he waited for me to finish cleaning him up and put some clothes back on his chubby body. After the 13th wipe, I deemed him clean and started to slide his diaper under his bottom.
He chose that minute to poop again. On my hand.
I screeched. The girls came running. C pointed to his diaper and repeated, "EW!" over and over again.
Exactly.
I cleaned myself up with another pile of wipes and started to slide another diaper under his rear.
And then he peed. On me.
I quickly smothered the stream with his diaper and waited. After a bit, I lifted it off and checked. Cool, he was done.
Or not. He peed again. On Bean.
"SAYER PEED ON ME! HE PEED ON MY HAND!!! EWWWWWWWWW!" Bean shrieked and ran around in spastic circles in the living room, trying to simultaneously take off her wet shirt and shake the pee off of her hand.
At this point, there was pee all over the outside of his diaper as well as the inside so I had to reach for another one. He took full advantage of the split second he was free in the wind and peed again. On C.
"EEEEWWWW!" C followed Bean around, imitating her hysterics.
I couldn't help it, I started cracking up.
I was laughing so hard that I had tears streaming down my face. The kids stopped their insanity and stared at me. Their mom had lost her mind.
And then they started laughing too.
And really, what else could we have done?
After the 4 of us got fresh outfits and managed to cram into the car, it was 9:55am.
So much for on time.
(And yes, I half considered stuffing him into the car seat anyway. But fear not for his behind...)
I unbuckled his seat and reached under him to lift him out. And felt the tell-tale warmth of the product of his efforts seeping out of his drawers and onto my hand. Ew.
He kicked his legs and cooed while he waited for me to finish cleaning him up and put some clothes back on his chubby body. After the 13th wipe, I deemed him clean and started to slide his diaper under his bottom.
He chose that minute to poop again. On my hand.
I screeched. The girls came running. C pointed to his diaper and repeated, "EW!" over and over again.
Exactly.
I cleaned myself up with another pile of wipes and started to slide another diaper under his rear.
And then he peed. On me.
I quickly smothered the stream with his diaper and waited. After a bit, I lifted it off and checked. Cool, he was done.
Or not. He peed again. On Bean.
"SAYER PEED ON ME! HE PEED ON MY HAND!!! EWWWWWWWWW!" Bean shrieked and ran around in spastic circles in the living room, trying to simultaneously take off her wet shirt and shake the pee off of her hand.
At this point, there was pee all over the outside of his diaper as well as the inside so I had to reach for another one. He took full advantage of the split second he was free in the wind and peed again. On C.
"EEEEWWWW!" C followed Bean around, imitating her hysterics.
I couldn't help it, I started cracking up.
I was laughing so hard that I had tears streaming down my face. The kids stopped their insanity and stared at me. Their mom had lost her mind.
And then they started laughing too.
And really, what else could we have done?
After the 4 of us got fresh outfits and managed to cram into the car, it was 9:55am.
So much for on time.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Update - CJ... Ummm, 16.5 Months and Then a Bit?
Erm, My Dear, Sweet, Neglected Second Born,
I'm sorry? I think this is the hallmark dawning of what it'll be like for you as the middle child. Though, in all honesty, you're too loud to be neglected for long. You've yet to understand the meaning of "just a second!" and thus, our house often vibrates with the volume of your requests, "MO? Mo? MO?" (more). "EAAAAT! EEEEEAAAT!" "Hold? Hold? HOLD YOU?!"
So really, we pay a good bit of attention to you. Your dear older sister, patient as she is, often gets the short end of the stick. Speaking of Miss Bean, I'm very excited to say that you've stopped beating the heck out of her quite as much. I found that a nice deterrent is asking you to give her kisses when you're about to smack her over the head. You LOVE giving kisses, so that goes over nicely.
You give Sayer a ton of kisses too. It's actually surprising to me to see how much you really love him. From the moment you wake up, "BABY?" to the moments you hear him cry, "BABY!" to the moments when he is carried into your line of sight, "BABY!!" you're always looking out for him. Nothing distresses you more than hearing him cry. Well, nothing aside from being told, "just a second!" We're working on that.
It's funny, you've taken the transition of adding a new sibling better than anyone, I think. I'm still having a hard time not thinking of you as my baby. Even with your huge head. (It really is huge. I don't know quite how you walk around with that thing... but good gracious, you're cute, so it doesn't matter). You still have a few lingering baby traits, some pleasant (being rocked before bed), and some not too pleasant (diapers). And you'll snuggle on your dad's lap or my own for as long as we'll let you. Or until you see something in Bean's hands that you must have.
You're mastering the whole talking bit at a breakneck pace. Before your nap today, you said, "pretzel, peas?" and handed me the bag. I can pretty much guarantee that you didn't know the word "pretzel" yesterday. I love watching the wheels in your head turn. I think that most of all, you realize that words are the quickest way to get what you want. And you're all about getting what you want. So off you go. You're nothing if not determined.
You've entered into a bit of a cautious period, physically. A few weeks ago, I was catching you as you would stand on the couch and walk straight off the edge. I grabbed a stray arm to break your fall, thinking it was an accident. Yeah, not so much. You looked at me from the ground, grinned, and climbed up to do it again. But in the last few days, you're far less likely to try new things in the physical realm. Today, you stayed on a kitchen chair and howled because I wasn't able to get you down right away. Two weeks ago? You probably would have jumped. I can't say I'm sad about this new development. It certainly keeps my heart rate lowered. But I have to admit, I kind of miss your breakneck crazy pace.
You still prefer to run around buck naked. I generally make you wear a diaper. You recently threw a conniption about that and tried to take it off. When you couldn't figure out the snaps, (THANK YOU FUZZIBUNZ), you tried pulling it down. You got it to your knees before I had pity on you and let you have a few minutes of bare bottom time.
You're charming and sweet when you want to be. Between you and your sister, I think we meet just about everyone we encounter when we run errands. You'll be thrashing around, trying to escape the stroller and then catch sight of a stranger making eye contact. Immediately, you'll stop, grin and wave. When you get older, you had better use that power to captivate for good, not evil.
Stay sweet, my spunky, quirky little second-born. And stay a wee bit sassy... keeps life interesting. :)
Love,
Mommy-o (Because suddenly? You've dubbed us Mommy-o, Daddy-o, and Baby-o :)
I'm sorry? I think this is the hallmark dawning of what it'll be like for you as the middle child. Though, in all honesty, you're too loud to be neglected for long. You've yet to understand the meaning of "just a second!" and thus, our house often vibrates with the volume of your requests, "MO? Mo? MO?" (more). "EAAAAT! EEEEEAAAT!" "Hold? Hold? HOLD YOU?!"
So really, we pay a good bit of attention to you. Your dear older sister, patient as she is, often gets the short end of the stick. Speaking of Miss Bean, I'm very excited to say that you've stopped beating the heck out of her quite as much. I found that a nice deterrent is asking you to give her kisses when you're about to smack her over the head. You LOVE giving kisses, so that goes over nicely.
You give Sayer a ton of kisses too. It's actually surprising to me to see how much you really love him. From the moment you wake up, "BABY?" to the moments you hear him cry, "BABY!" to the moments when he is carried into your line of sight, "BABY!!" you're always looking out for him. Nothing distresses you more than hearing him cry. Well, nothing aside from being told, "just a second!" We're working on that.
It's funny, you've taken the transition of adding a new sibling better than anyone, I think. I'm still having a hard time not thinking of you as my baby. Even with your huge head. (It really is huge. I don't know quite how you walk around with that thing... but good gracious, you're cute, so it doesn't matter). You still have a few lingering baby traits, some pleasant (being rocked before bed), and some not too pleasant (diapers). And you'll snuggle on your dad's lap or my own for as long as we'll let you. Or until you see something in Bean's hands that you must have.
You're mastering the whole talking bit at a breakneck pace. Before your nap today, you said, "pretzel, peas?" and handed me the bag. I can pretty much guarantee that you didn't know the word "pretzel" yesterday. I love watching the wheels in your head turn. I think that most of all, you realize that words are the quickest way to get what you want. And you're all about getting what you want. So off you go. You're nothing if not determined.
You've entered into a bit of a cautious period, physically. A few weeks ago, I was catching you as you would stand on the couch and walk straight off the edge. I grabbed a stray arm to break your fall, thinking it was an accident. Yeah, not so much. You looked at me from the ground, grinned, and climbed up to do it again. But in the last few days, you're far less likely to try new things in the physical realm. Today, you stayed on a kitchen chair and howled because I wasn't able to get you down right away. Two weeks ago? You probably would have jumped. I can't say I'm sad about this new development. It certainly keeps my heart rate lowered. But I have to admit, I kind of miss your breakneck crazy pace.
You're charming and sweet when you want to be. Between you and your sister, I think we meet just about everyone we encounter when we run errands. You'll be thrashing around, trying to escape the stroller and then catch sight of a stranger making eye contact. Immediately, you'll stop, grin and wave. When you get older, you had better use that power to captivate for good, not evil.
Stay sweet, my spunky, quirky little second-born. And stay a wee bit sassy... keeps life interesting. :)
Love,
Mommy-o (Because suddenly? You've dubbed us Mommy-o, Daddy-o, and Baby-o :)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
This and That And How Robin Got Owned
I think I'm moving C's monthly updates to the middle of the month.
That would be the 15th.
Which would have been yesterday. *ahem* Poor kid hasn't had an update in 2.5 months. I'll get to that later today. Thankfully, there's plenty to write about.
Anyway, in the meantime, here's a Bean story to tide you over.
Shaun's a huge Dallas Cowboys fan, (yes, I know, we'll pretend that's not true). Anyway, he likes to chat with Bean about his beloved team and has taught her to say "Go Cowboys!" every time she sees football of any type on TV.
This past Sunday, I was watching the Ravens play and groaned because the Chiefs had scored a touchdown. Bean looked up and yelled "TOUCHDOWN!"
Robin responded, "It's the wrong team. Say, GO RAVENS!"
Bean looked at her, got into cheering position and said, "GO COWBOYS!"
"Bean, the Cowboys aren't playing right now."
Bean grinned and without missing a beat, she said, "The Cowboys play at 1!"
It was 1:30pm. She was right. Owned, Robin... Owned.
That would be the 15th.
Which would have been yesterday. *ahem* Poor kid hasn't had an update in 2.5 months. I'll get to that later today. Thankfully, there's plenty to write about.
Anyway, in the meantime, here's a Bean story to tide you over.
Shaun's a huge Dallas Cowboys fan, (yes, I know, we'll pretend that's not true). Anyway, he likes to chat with Bean about his beloved team and has taught her to say "Go Cowboys!" every time she sees football of any type on TV.
This past Sunday, I was watching the Ravens play and groaned because the Chiefs had scored a touchdown. Bean looked up and yelled "TOUCHDOWN!"
Robin responded, "It's the wrong team. Say, GO RAVENS!"
Bean looked at her, got into cheering position and said, "GO COWBOYS!"
"Bean, the Cowboys aren't playing right now."
Bean grinned and without missing a beat, she said, "The Cowboys play at 1!"
It was 1:30pm. She was right. Owned, Robin... Owned.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Sayer - 1 Month (And A Bit More)
Dear Sayer,
Happy one-month birthday! And a bit, because well... with three kids, Mommy's a bit of a procrastinator. As of today, you're 14.4 pounds. You? As a couple of people have said recently, you are a moose.
But I think you're cute as a round chubby button.
You'd think that being so big would mean you'd sleep solidly for 12 hours a night. Hey, that's what all the old wives' tales say. You don't. But you do generally give me a good 5 hour stretch in the beginning of the night... that's just enough to keep me going. And really? I don't mind a good snuggle session in the middle of the night.
You're a tremendously good eater, (as if there were any doubt given your size). I love that nursing generally comforts any crankiness, unless the crankies are due to gas. Then I have to bounce you all over the place until you're gas free.
Speaking of gas, you are unbelievable. I never knew a kid could wake themselves up with a fart. For that matter, I never thought one of my kids would be able to wake their Daddy up from a sound sleep with a fart. You've done both. Several times.
Your favorite place to sleep is in someone's arms. I tend to carry you around through the day either freehand or in one of our slings. I love that you're flexible enough to do that. Being kid #3, you don't have much choice.
You had a case of acne bad enough to put a teenager's to shame. I'm very thankful that finally passed. Now your cheeks are that much more kissable.
I spend a fair portion of my day totally blissed out from the nuzzles I get to give and the sweet sighs and tiny smiles I get in return.
It's been 6 weeks and I already miss those sweet first days fiercely. So I'm grasping onto each day that comes with intentions to wring out every last drop of the joy I get from your babyhood. If having three has taught me anything, it's that these baby days are fleeting.
People told me that being the mother of a son elicited a different kind of love. Verdict's still out on that, but I know that I love you more than words can describe.
You're my goo-baby, always.
Love,
The One With The Boobs
(Because you probably identify with that more than anything, right now).
Happy one-month birthday! And a bit, because well... with three kids, Mommy's a bit of a procrastinator. As of today, you're 14.4 pounds. You? As a couple of people have said recently, you are a moose.
You'd think that being so big would mean you'd sleep solidly for 12 hours a night. Hey, that's what all the old wives' tales say. You don't. But you do generally give me a good 5 hour stretch in the beginning of the night... that's just enough to keep me going. And really? I don't mind a good snuggle session in the middle of the night.
You're a tremendously good eater, (as if there were any doubt given your size). I love that nursing generally comforts any crankiness, unless the crankies are due to gas. Then I have to bounce you all over the place until you're gas free.
Speaking of gas, you are unbelievable. I never knew a kid could wake themselves up with a fart. For that matter, I never thought one of my kids would be able to wake their Daddy up from a sound sleep with a fart. You've done both. Several times.
Your favorite place to sleep is in someone's arms. I tend to carry you around through the day either freehand or in one of our slings. I love that you're flexible enough to do that. Being kid #3, you don't have much choice.
You had a case of acne bad enough to put a teenager's to shame. I'm very thankful that finally passed. Now your cheeks are that much more kissable.
I spend a fair portion of my day totally blissed out from the nuzzles I get to give and the sweet sighs and tiny smiles I get in return.
It's been 6 weeks and I already miss those sweet first days fiercely. So I'm grasping onto each day that comes with intentions to wring out every last drop of the joy I get from your babyhood. If having three has taught me anything, it's that these baby days are fleeting.
People told me that being the mother of a son elicited a different kind of love. Verdict's still out on that, but I know that I love you more than words can describe.
You're my goo-baby, always.
Love,
The One With The Boobs
(Because you probably identify with that more than anything, right now).
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Career Aspirations?
Yesterday was Labor Day and like many Americans, we went to a cook-out.
We told Bean of the plans early in the day and as is usual for our social butterfly-like first born, she was very excited.
As we were about to leave, she exclaimed,
"It's time to go to the steak-out!"
Apparently, we're training her early for a life in law enforcement.
We told Bean of the plans early in the day and as is usual for our social butterfly-like first born, she was very excited.
As we were about to leave, she exclaimed,
"It's time to go to the steak-out!"
Apparently, we're training her early for a life in law enforcement.
Monday, September 7, 2009
BUG!
My kids have very different opinions of bugs. Bean is full of a moderately terrified distaste. (Yes, the weird contrast of those words is intentional... some days she merely says, "shoo, fly!" and other days, she's screaming and running from gnats). C, on the other hand, is quite fascinated. Any fear she might have is a result of someone else's freak-out session. (Not naming any names, of course).
A few weeks ago, Bean and C were sitting on a spare mattress in Bean's room after a bath. The girls were stalling the pajama process with a lot of silly antics and I was holding Sayer and getting a kick out of laughing at them.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement. A spider was stealthily making its way across the pillow, just a smidge from Bean's hand. Wanting to prevent a freak-out, I quietly asked Bean to grab me a bit of toilet paper so I could relocate the offending spider.
"Why, Mommy?" She asked as she walked to the bathroom. I looked up at her,
"There's a bug on the pillow over there." She peered at it and continued to the bathroom, mock shuddering. Suddenly, I heard a squeal,
"BUG! BUG! BUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGG!" I turned around to see C trying her best to grab the quick little bugger in her best pincher grasp. "BUUUUG!!"
Not knowing the type of spider and not taking any chances, I attempted to pull C's hand from the spider. As expected, this did not please her. "Bug. BUG!!! BUUUUUG!!" She shrieked as she attempted to pick up the bug, (presumably to eat it). "BUG!"
Bean returned to the room and started her own squealing,
"MAMA! C's going to get the bug!! She's going to get it! AHHH! MAMA! C's GOT THE BUG!"
I looked down again to see the spider missing and C grin as she brought her hand to her mouth,
"BUG!"
My turn to shriek.
"C, EW! NO!!!" I started frantically wiping at her hands. Bean continued shrieking. I kept cringing and wiping. C continued grinning and trying to eat her beloved bug. Sayer slept. Because that's what Sayer does.
Eventually, I wiped away the rogue spider and our bedtime routine proceeded as planned.
But nowadays, every time I hear C squeal, "BUG!", I'm sure to pay careful attention to what she's putting in her mouth.
Because spiders? Um, EW.
A few weeks ago, Bean and C were sitting on a spare mattress in Bean's room after a bath. The girls were stalling the pajama process with a lot of silly antics and I was holding Sayer and getting a kick out of laughing at them.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement. A spider was stealthily making its way across the pillow, just a smidge from Bean's hand. Wanting to prevent a freak-out, I quietly asked Bean to grab me a bit of toilet paper so I could relocate the offending spider.
"Why, Mommy?" She asked as she walked to the bathroom. I looked up at her,
"There's a bug on the pillow over there." She peered at it and continued to the bathroom, mock shuddering. Suddenly, I heard a squeal,
"BUG! BUG! BUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGG!" I turned around to see C trying her best to grab the quick little bugger in her best pincher grasp. "BUUUUG!!"
Not knowing the type of spider and not taking any chances, I attempted to pull C's hand from the spider. As expected, this did not please her. "Bug. BUG!!! BUUUUUG!!" She shrieked as she attempted to pick up the bug, (presumably to eat it). "BUG!"
Bean returned to the room and started her own squealing,
"MAMA! C's going to get the bug!! She's going to get it! AHHH! MAMA! C's GOT THE BUG!"
I looked down again to see the spider missing and C grin as she brought her hand to her mouth,
"BUG!"
My turn to shriek.
"C, EW! NO!!!" I started frantically wiping at her hands. Bean continued shrieking. I kept cringing and wiping. C continued grinning and trying to eat her beloved bug. Sayer slept. Because that's what Sayer does.
Eventually, I wiped away the rogue spider and our bedtime routine proceeded as planned.
But nowadays, every time I hear C squeal, "BUG!", I'm sure to pay careful attention to what she's putting in her mouth.
Because spiders? Um, EW.
Friday, September 4, 2009
My Three
There's a whole series of these and they all crack me up. They're not the clearest pictures in the world, but they're too fun to pass up. These two are my favorite. Perhaps because they capture a hint of the insanity that three tiny people with three huge (and different!) personalities can bring. Enjoy!
My kids are cool :)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Commitment
OK, ok, I KNOW. I've been MIA. I have a decent excuse, of course, but I really miss blogging, so I'm making a concentrated effort to get on here at least 3 times a week.
Promise.
Anyway, I'm hard at work on both C's 16 (and 15) month update and Sayer's 1 month (!) update. For now, I'll leave you with a funny:
C has been learning a TON of new words lately and uses them often. Up until a few days ago, we hadn't heard any two word combinations. Then, it happened. Her first two word sentence?
"Baby, MOVE!"
Fitting.
Promise.
Anyway, I'm hard at work on both C's 16 (and 15) month update and Sayer's 1 month (!) update. For now, I'll leave you with a funny:
C has been learning a TON of new words lately and uses them often. Up until a few days ago, we hadn't heard any two word combinations. Then, it happened. Her first two word sentence?
"Baby, MOVE!"
Fitting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments