A season of helping

We have had our challenges with Jack over the last few months, especially as he exercises the independence of a 4 year old on making decisions. The old way of doing things doesn't seem to work quite as well anymore. But we have found one thing that makes our days flow smoother, letting Jack help.

Jack loves to help and do jobs. Setting the table, putting up Christmas decorations, getting a bib for little sister, choosing a cd to play at night before bedtime. Any sort of chore that allows him to show responsibility.


So when John began to remodel our master bathroom, it was a perfect project for father-son bonding. We give Jack his ear protection and let him go in and help his dad. He loves to explain to me later everything they did and take me in there to show me.

Here he is operating the shop-vac to vacuum up nails as John is ripping out the sheet rock.

And you just can't beat his hourly wage. Some crackers and cheese at the end of the workday and he is paid up.

What's Your Function?

Jack walked in the house from running errands with John today and he was singing up a storm. I laughed hard when I figured out that he was singing, "Conjunction junction, what's your function..." from the old Schoolhouse Rock videos. We've been playing it as our standby video when we need some quick tantrum-calming entertainment.

Oh c'mon. I know you know it. If you watched Saturday morning cartoons between 1973 and 1986, you should be able to sing the Constitution Preamble, describe the process of passing a law in the U.S., and know what a conjunction is.



And now, I have reawakened the long lost lyrics in your head, and you will be humming this for the next week. I know, I'm evil!

For parents out there looking for a fun xmas gift, I highly recommend buying the full DVD. We have this in the car and it's perfect when we need just a short video as we're running errands to keep the kids from getting bored. And as is evidenced by my 4-year old humming the tunes, you're never too young to learn. Plus, you don't have to listen to Blue's Clues solve a puzzle for Steve for the millionth time.

All's quiet...

Yes, I've been missing. I've been on a sort of hiatus from blogging, trying to recharge my batteries for blogging. Plus, my mind was on a fabulous but tough yoga workshop that I was preparing for. I needed some silence in my brain to mentally prepare for it, so I put the blogs on the back burner.

But let's talk about a different silence. That's what it is in my house right now. Both the kids are asleep. And with a 4 and 1 year old, that rarely happens at the same time during the day. And there is nothing sweeter than the silence that comes in the middle of the day during naptime. Alexandra was struggling right after our morning swimming class and I knew she'd go right down to bed when we got home. But Jack, he's always trickier, only napping during the day about 50% of the time.

So I asked Jack to come back to my room and have quiet time. He brought some books and climbed into my bed and I closed my eyes. It would have taken me about 3 minutes to fall to sleep. Except that once Jack was done reading, he snuggled over to me and stroked my cheek with his hand, saying "I know, Mommy, I know." over and over. No, I have no idea what he was talking about. But it was a sweet gesture, and I just had to put up with it for about 10 minutes before his little brain shut his eyes and took him to dreamland.

Ahhh, silence. Wait, is that the baby I hear crying?

Shake your tailfeather!

We had a blast with Alexandra's costume this year. Again, let me state that I have no sewing skills whatsoever. Wait, I did earn a patch at camp for being able to sew on a button. So that is my level...button-sewing master.

Anyway, I got this idea in my head about a peacock. No way am I going to gather all those colors and attach them together. But I found someone who could. Picklebug on Etsy. She makes these awesome tutus with whatever colors you want. So I contacted her and asked her to do one in green, royal blue and purple. A few weeks later and there it was. I ordered some peacock feathers online and I was set to go.

Except, how do I attach these dang fathers to the tutu? Glue gun? Ummmm, not thinking that will turn out so pretty. Wait, I have a crafts jedi-master on my side...my mother-in-law This is the woman who made a pumpkin cake. No, not a pumpkin-flavored cake. A pumpkin-SHAPED cake, complete with stem and jack-o-lantern face. She is good! After consultation with my crafts jedi-master, we decided some quick stitches were the way to go to hold the feathers on. My MIL also made an adorable headband with some feathers.

All was set, except we discovered that Alex is not so keen on wearing tutus. So we began Tutu Indoctrination. She wore it for 5 minutes the first night, 10 the second, 20 the third and so on until she didn't want to take it off.

By Halloween day, she had even developed a strut when she walked down the hall to her class, shaking her tailfeathers as she went.

That's my girl!

What's black and white and taped all over?

I remember one Halloween costume from my childhood. It was the most beautiful butterfly costume I had ever seen. It was made out of felt, black with shapes of orange, and red and yellow (Think Monarch). And I had pipe cleaners for my antenna.

So when Jack said he wanted to be a zebra this year, I immediately thought I could pull it off with a homemade costume. First, I bought a plain white pants and shirt from Basic Brilliance. THE place to go if you just need solid colors of cotton clothing. Unfortunately, my imagination can tend to come up with schemes that my skills at sewing just can not meet. Especially since I have no skills at sewing. Or a sewing machine. Yes, I have a needle and thread, but no way am I going to handsew black stripes on.

So I went low tech with duct tape. Let me tell you, ripping duct tape in uneven, curving pieces ain't so easy. But with a little patience, I was able to get them how I wanted them. Here's the shirt when it was done.

As final touches, I ordered some ears and a tail online and the facepaint. . He totally loves the facepaint. Just looks in the mirros and laughs.

Meditations on parenting

Once there was a tree that stood tall and proud beside a riverbank. Beside her grew a small weed. The tree bragged to the weed about how big and strong she was and how the weed should be embarrassed to be so puny next to something so large. The weed answered that she was just existing where nature put her. In the rainy season, a massive flood came and the force of the waters washed away the tree. But the weed, always humble, bent flat to the ground and survived the raging waters.

Sometimes our strength is not evidenced by how tall and unbending we can stand.

I heard this story from my yoga teacher today and it immediately reminded me of the ups and downs of parenting.

How easy is it to see the tie to parenting here? Once my children were beyond breastfeeding and the infant stage, they were always looking for ways to exert their independence. The big picture tells me that this is the way they grow and learn to be their own person. But as the parent trapped in the moment, I am often pulling at my hair and wanting to yell "Because I said so, that's why!" at the incessant questions that are thrown my way about why they have to do what I say.

I have to remember that sometimes bending with the forces of nature will allow the storm to pass easier than trying to stand straight up in the onslaught.

The rules

Jack jumped out of bed this morning, he was so excited for their class field trip to Dinoland. But before he went, he explained "The Rules" to me over breakfast.

Jack: No hitting our friends.

Mommy: That's a good one.

Jack: Stay with the teacher.

Mommy: Always smart.

Jack: Don't tease the dinosaurs...or feed them.

Mommy: Good plan.

Jack: Or the teachers will send you back to the bus.

What a deal!

One of my favorite new shirts.

Happiness

 

Call 991

Today was dress up like a community helper at school. Obviously, with this crew, I felt completely safe sitting at the breakfast table. Should a criminal appear or a fire break out, I''ll be well taken care of. As Jack always says "Just call 9-9-1!"

She's got it, yeah baby, she's got it.

Everyone has their style

Tonight was cookie night as an old friend from Chicago came over to visit and brought her niece, Kate, whom we adore. Jack talked all day about Baby Kate coming to visit . Well, Baby Kate is no longer a baby and thrilled Jack to death by bringing sugar cookies and all the decorations with her so they could make Halloween cookies after dinner.

Everyone had their own style. Alexandra...hmmm, let's just say she likes to get fully involved. No high-brow design for this one. Just wants to feel the icing goosh between her fingers. I think she kept her hands like that for about 5 minutes, just letting the sugar soak into her body by osmosis.

Now Kate is a sprinkles girl. Specifically, pink sprinkles. The more the better. She would prefer a mound of them, but had to change her game plan when she found that sprinkles don't stick unless they are glued into a substance, like icing. So, she learned on the next one and spread them out with a spoon into the icing. Pink + orange = CLASH. But there's no convincing an aspiring princess that they don't work together quite well.








Finally, Jack preferred the everything on top approach. You know those bagels that you get that are called Everything bagles because they are poppysead-onion-sesame-cinnamon raisin-blueberry-honey wheat flavor? That's like Jack's approach to cookie design. If it's an option, it needs to be added to the cookie. The more the merrier. Who cares if you can barely pick it up because of all of the things on top. It's a cookie, for Christ's sake. Go heavy or get out.

And really, with cookies...is there any approach that is NOT right?

Can you hear me now?

I'm up in Dallas for a few days for work. I do this every month and I always have mixed feelings about it. You know, John totally jumps in and takes care of the kids with help from his mom so I can make these trips as guilt-free feeling as possible. Because let's face it, I'm a mom-I always have some smidgen of guilt going on.

But I also have a chance to step back see the forest for the trees. See the bigger picture of my family by getting a view from a few hours away. Oh, and I begin to miss them. John called last night and told me that Alex had thrown a fit suddenly at dinner, banishing her food to the floor. Very un-Alex. She's the girl who loves to eat and isn't one to be picky. John thought they had just waited too long to get dinner on the table.

Then he called early this morning. Apparently, Alex was pulling a repeat of the food-tantrum with her breakfast. Juice? Thrown. Waffle? Heaved off the table. John told me he thought maybe she was just missing Mom. I laughed because Alex is such a Daddy's girl. But I gave it my best shot via speakerphone to talk her down from the ledge and back to her waffle. And you know? It worked. She smiled and started eating again.

Apparently, you can phone in this whole parenting thing!

How many kids can you fit in a bed?

This was story time at our house this weekend. We had my brother and his family down for the weekend and had all the kids in bed together for stories before we tucked the three oldest in Jack's bunk beds and sent Alex off to her crib for the night. Needless to say, there was much chit-chat in the bunk beds for a long time after lights out. I loved hearing all the back and forth in the monitor. Talk about seahorses and turtles (Jack has stickers of the ocean on the underside of the top bunk), what their favorite book was, how bright the light is, and lot of whispers and giggles.

Cousin time is the best!

Paging Dr. Jack

I stubbed my toe tonight and I was hopping around the room saying fake curse words except in my mind where the real curse words were flowing. Jack told me to sit down, even pulled up a chair. "I'll take care of it, Mommy."

He told me to count to 10 and place my foot on top of 3 ABC blocks and it would feel better.

And it did.

An extra what?

"Mom, do you have a bachina?"

Jack spoke these words to me as we were finishing up his bath. I don't think I have to translate.

"Yes, I do."

"I think I would like an extra bachina. For my bottom. To go poopoo."

"First, it wouldn't be extra, because you don't have a bachina. Second, bachinas are not for pooping. Girls have them to go peepee" (no need to give him a full list of options for the bachina)

"Girls have bachinas but no penis?"

"That's right, Jack."

"I'll have to talk to dad about this."

Because she doesn't have superpowers...yet

...these shoes were a must buy since they allow her to reach speeds similar to that of an aging dog.

Just keep your eyes on the one with the big teeth...

We took Jack to see a new exhibit at Zilker Botanic Garden last week called Dinoland. It consists of a few dozen life-size replicas of dinosaurs placed out in the wooded area of our botanic garden. To an adult it is well-executed, not overdone and enjoyable.

To a 4 year old it is “Wow!” “Oh my gosh!” “Look, look, look, look…”

I am trying to imagine what it must be like to be 4 years old and see this exhibit. I mean, I’m not sure Jack even knows that dinosaurs are extinct. So to go to an exhibit where there are life-size dinos was probably about as close to the edge as you can come. He knew they were not real. But in a four year old mind…that dino might wake up any moment and come running towards you.

And these dinos even had their little beady eyes that might blink at any second. Like that long shot at the end of the movie where the person is dead and the camera shot stays on them and you wait, wait for it. And their eyes open! Aaaaaaagh!

Don't mess with Texas!

Doesn't she look like she is going to just take someone out? And her brother is like, "whatever..."

Working Man

Today, John had to make a weekend house call to one of his clients because of a "water issue". Those two words together are never good news in construction. So John asked Jack if he wanted to go to work with him. Jack responded "No, take Alex." But after we explained that Daddy needed someone with highly specialized skills such as Jack, he agreed he would buck up and accompany his dad. So off he went, with his Bob the Builder toolbox and his "working hat" (any baseball cap).

Upon his return, I asked Jack what important tasks he had taken on while at the job site. His reply:

-He played with Quinn (the 3 year old daughter of John's clients)
-He jumped on the jumping machine (trampoline)
-He fixed a washer

Just a typical day for a future general contractor. It's a rough world out there.

I'm back in!

A few days ago, Jack and I had a rift.

As a parent of a toddler, your first rift with your child when they are able to express their anger is a bit jarring. Toddlers just don't have that filter to find the appropriate level of anger at a situation. So they go from defcom 1 to 5 in about 5 minutes.

We spent the night at John's parent's house because we have done some work at the house that day and the fumes were still too strong. Faced with midnight asphyxiation or slumber party at Nana and Papa's, we went with the latter. Fun for all, tra la la. Until the next morning. John left early for work and I got the kids ready for school. Let me point out that Jack dressed in his uniform so there was no mystery about him going to school that day. But upon my saying, "OK, let's get in the car", Jack freaked. It began with no. Then it was No. Then NO. Once the NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! started I knew I had better move quick. By the time I had him at the car, he was doing that anoying arching back thing that makes it impossible to get your kid strapped into the car seat. I had to literally lean on him with my body while I buckled. Quick sorry smile and wave to Nana and we were off. With my child screaming out the window "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" and his sister looking confused at the sudden volume of our school ride.

For the next 15 minutes I endured constant screams and kicks to the back of my seat. You know, this is when you can understand how easy it is to lose it as a parent. I turned on the radio- LOUD. I sang to Alex. I focused on the road because god forbid I should have an accident because I'm thinking about how much I want to turn around and clamp my hand over my son's mouth. Mainly, I just tried to let him work through it. I thought he would get tired and just slump. But that little bugger kept screaming the entire way to school, into the parking lot, and into the school.

There are few things worse than to have to carry your screaming child into school. Everyone's watching, you feel embarrassed, there is little privacy to try and play out the scene with your child. I got Jack to his room and kneeled down and asked for a hug. And at that moment, he tried to swat me. I say "swat" because "hit" sounds so mean and I can't bear thinking of Jack wanting to hit me, but I know he did. At that point, I walked out of the class.

Anyway, that afternoon when I picked him up, all seemed better. I asked him if he was still mad at me or if we were friends. (Jack often asks me if we can be best friends). His response was "No, not now. I'm daddy's friend". There it was, straight through the heart. "OK, well let me know when we can be friends again, " I replied.

It is now two days later, and Jack came to the side of my bed this morning and said "Mom, can we be best friends?"

Of course we can.

Siblings

Sharing them would be too easy.

Dare to Dream

Because as soon as he can do something other than just undulate in the pool and can actually lift his head to breathe, he just might be on the path to the Olympic podium.

And the Woodchips Fly

Jack has just moved up to Pre-Kindergarden. And with the school year just shy of starting, it means that there are kids in the class who will be in Kindergarden but are just biding time in the Pre-K class until the summer is over because they’re parents don’t have anything better to do with them. And then there are the older kids who are in the “summer camp” at Jack’s school. These kids are much bigger, more savy about the ways of the world, and looking to show their stuff to these puny 4-year olds on the playground. Jack’s first week? Saw a classmate of his get pushed to the ground. Jack’s second week? Got a woodchip thrown at him which gave him a shiner below his eye.

I’m ‘bout to start bustin’ some bullies with my Momma fists. (That’s Mom-Gang talk.)

Pile all of this on top of Jack being in a new room, with new teachers, with a new bathroom that does not have a window in the door. What??? Its scary having a big door close behind you and not knowing where everyone went.

I keep reminding myself that Jack is learning so many new things in Pre-K. Really wonderful, enlightening things.

Let’s review some of the things that Jack has learned in his new environment:

-Last week he told me he shot a boy on the playground with his gun. A gun. Never, ever have we played with guns or watched shows with guns. Not even superhero laser guns. For goodness sake, JoJo’s Circus is about as risqué as we get in this house for TV shows.

-On Tuesday, he was mad at me for not letting him watch a TV show. A few weeks ago, he would have looked at me and shouted “ROAR” to express his anger. This time, he looked at me and muttered “I’m going to kill you.” OK, stop. Breathe.

He got frustrated with his sister yesterday and yelled “Goddamnit!”…Ummmm , OK, maybe that was my fault because I did have that outburst when I lost my car keys last week and was in a rush and might have shouted something inappropriate.

I swear, if he comes home with a tattoo on one arm and his babymama hanging off of his other arm, we will be switching to home schooling.

Time Outs Tear Me Up

Hi! We've moved. Our new address is:

Hell
PO Box Defiant Toddler
Time Out, Tantrum 78730

Testing the limits. That's what the experts say he is doing. I think he is testing them at 55 mph and hoping to just run us over.

Scenario:

Jack walks into room, sees Alex playing quietly, runs over and pushes her.
"Jack, do not push your sister"
"She was pushing me"

"If I see you do it again, you are going into time out"

After 40 more times of saying this, I decide I have to stick to my guns. I haul him upstairs and put him in his room, with him yelling "Noooooooooo!" the whole way. Just like any good disciple of Supernanny, I crouch to his level, explain why he is going in time out. He turns around and throws something at me. I leave and shut the door.

Please let me now elaborate on the Phases of Time Out:

Escape: Jack decides he will not be limited to his room and certainly won't participate in time out. So he dismantles the "child-proof" door knob cover and open the door to come out. (Hello inventors, did anyone test these products past the newborn stage????) I lead him back in and shut the door.

Pissed Off: Jack decides to show me how displeased he is with time out. He opens the door and throws the dismantled door knob cover at me. It's like he is defiantly showing me "I will not be contained!" Then he yells "Roooooooar!" to show me he's angry. I shut the door.

Defiance: He opens the door and stands in the doorway, yelling "Keep this door open!" I shut the door. In fact, this time, because in my brain it is most important to keep the door shut, I hold the door closed. Jack hits and kicks on it. Something heavy-maybe a piggy bank, hits the door. Ouch, that caused some paint damage!

Release: The kicking and hurling of objects stops. The yelling stops. Suddenly, the most pitiful cyring begins. "Mommy, I'm sorry. I don't want to be in time out. I don't want to be in here."

Ahhh, that's it. Now he has broken out the heavy artillery that hits right at the heart of Mommy. Because who can resist their child pleading for forgiveness and help. I count 30 more seconds in my head, singing a tune to drown out the toddler pleas which are carving up my insides. I go back in. Again, supernanny inspired approach. Repeat why he's in time out. Ask for apology.

The hug is all that matters to me.

Stars and Stripes Never Looked So Good

AP RELEASE

BEIJING - The International community was stunned last night by a "secret weapon", a new American super athlete revealed at the Olympics. "We simply don't know how to compete against this kind of superior strength," said a puzzled Chinese coach. Other coaches agreed. "It just takes your breath away," commented a coach from France.

America has kept their super-athlete under wraps, referring only to the project as "Big Cannon" in memos. "Well, obviously we've been working with her since she was born" said one American trainer, who preferred to remain anonymous. "You just have to find someone with uncanny natural ability and just guide her down the path to greatness. But we knew the unveiling would create quite a stir. We're pretty confident this will put us over the top in the medal race."

Roadtrip!

While Jack may be too young for the adventures of Harold and Kumar, he is on schedule to enjoy his first field trip this Friday. You see, he now lives and breathes in the big, bad world of PRE-K!!!! And man, what advantages he has now. Bigger playground, tire swing, computer in the classroom, tire swing, freeze dancing contests...and did I mention the tire swing?

So anyway, with summer drawing to a close, the last of the field trips are coming and Jack's class will be going to the Austin Children's Museum. I'm curious about the whole dozen-4 year olds-bus-no booster seats thing so I've offered to chaperone. You know, get a feel for what the kids do on the bus, how the teacher relates to them, and just how safe a bus is. I mean, I remember my school bus days and quite frankly it scares the hell out of me to think of my little boy on a bus like I had. Does it even have seatbelts? Shouldn't we duct tape them to the seat-backs or something?

So, off we go. If I get bored watching them, I'll just wander down the street to grab a Starbucks. I mean, they can watch themselves , right? Nothing bad would happen while I'm gone. Geez, they're old enough to ride in a bus without car seats after all.

Time

Jack has been having a rough time going to sleep at night. He's discovered darkness. Usually he passes out while reading and I go and clean up the books from around his body and turn off the light. But last night he resisted falling asleep with every little bone in his body. No way was he going to close his eyes while the possibility of darkness was there. Mind you, every light in his room was one.

Finally, I went in and rolled him on his tummy and rubbed his back for him. His eyes were getting so heavy and he was just barely awake.

"Mommy, what time do we wake up?"

"Seven"

"OK, I can count to that."

Sibling rivalry

Alex isn't quite old enough to start a fight with Jack yet. But at 18 months, she knows how to push his buttons.

As we start home from school, I hear Alex from her car seat quietly say "Da-di". Jack hears her and says-quietly-"Daddy's not here."

She looks at him, smiles and says "Da-DI!" with a bit more volume on the second syllable. Jack looks at her and says "No Alex, he's not HERE!" raising his voice to match hers.

Well, now it's just war.

Alex raises the stakes. "DA-DI!"

"HE'S NOT HERE, ALEX!"

"DA-DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

"HE'S....NOT....HERE!!!!!!!!!"

If I am in a zen mood that day, I will calmly say, "Hey, let's turn it down. Jack, Alex is just practicing talking. You don't have to respond."

But usually, my brain is oozing out of my ears from the yelling, so I slam on the breaks and say "ENOUGH! EVERYONE BE QUIET!"

Holy shit, when did I become my mother?

Vintage childhood

I was thrilled to get a package today filled with childhood memories that I could pass on to my kids. It was an old copy of Red Tag Comes Back by Fred Phleger. This was one of my favorite books when I was little and I had a great time reading it to Jack. What books do you remember from your childhood?

As the Toddler Turns-Episode 2

"I'm scary."

This is the endless plea we hear from Jack's room once he is in bed. Is he pretending to be a monster?

No. He's scared. He just can't remember the right way to say the word. Which makes the endless, 45-60 minute session of continually walking him back to his room at least bearable as we crack up every time he says it.

The thing is, I can't fault him as I remember being afrid of the dark when I was a kid and sneaking down to my parents room to climb in their bed and feel safe.

We leave the closet light on.
We give him a nightlight.
We give him his bear to cuddle up with.
We walk around the room and let him see us checking for "scary things".

1 minute after we leave the room, a little head pokes into the office.

"Mom, I'm scary."

Alex goes for the gold...

(Cue Olympic theme)

Brimming over with Olympic spirit, Alex has been following a serious training regimen in the "puffy-suit-with-watering-can" relay (it was just accepted as an Olympic sport this year). She'll be captain of Team USA in this brutal race. She's a favorite to medal. Not a surprise as the chubby thighs give her a leg-up (no pun intended) on her competitors.

Like a path over water...with sharks below

Sometimes raising children feels like you're walking on rocks across the water, balancing precariously, watching the steps coming up, remembering the steps behind and watching where your foot falls, all at once. The adventure begins at once and suddenly you find yourself out over water.

Every once in a while, you feel a bit like there might be a shark below. (yes, I know, it's just a goldfish. Give me a little wiggle-room for poetic license. )

Sometimes, you just want to stop and stay on your rock, not move forward one inch.

But when you do, you feel the exhilaration and awe at watching your child's next step into something big.

He's figured it out!

Jack informed me the other night while he was in the tub that he was a boy.

[Uh oh]

Then he told me that I was a girl.

[I can see it coming]

Mom, you don't have a penis. I have a penis.

[wait for it...]

You have a gina.

[And close curtain]

As the Toddler Turns-Episode 1

Thanks for tuning into As the Toddler Turns, where we discuss the latest weird toddler phase to arrive at our house. This week...

The Hand

Jack's latest phase involves putting his parents in their place, Unfortunately, this is usually directed at Daddy. Because this phase involves mommy-worship. And Daddy is...well...no Mommy. Because I'm Mommy, I am loved and adored, except when I give him an answer he does not want to hear. Then I am given the hand as well.

The hand treatment usually starts as a question:

Jack: Can I bring this toy to school?

Daddy: No, toys stay at home. They can't go to school.

Click, whir, crunch- that is the sound of "the hand" phase kicking in.

Jack: No Daddy [holds up his hand palm out, as in "Talk to the hand"] I was asking Mommy. Mommy, can I bring this toy to school?

Mommy: No, toys stay at home. They can't go to school.

Sometimes Jack even goes so far as to shush Daddy or tell him "Don't talk". Sometimes it even results in a timeout for inappropriate talk back to parents.

I tell Dad, this too shall pass. Use the time to enjoy not being the go-to parent.

Gotta love body parts!

Nana: What are you doing over there. Lying on your tummy?

Jack: I'm resting my penis.

He ain't no Annie Leibovitz!

As we explored the botanic gardens here in Austin on Mother's Day, an impromptu outing as evidenced by the ballcaps hiding our bedheads and unshowered selves, we thought we would give Jack a chance to snap some photos. So here we go.














Honey, make sure you can see our heads. Look at the screen...here let me show you
















OK, good job but try to let Mommy get back in the picture...















Allright, now just a little bit up so we can see Daddy's head...oh crap, forget it.















Perfect!

Toddler Survival Tip #1

Ball point pen can be cleaned off of a flat screen computer monitor by rubbing it with a soft rag dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Baby's gone!

Mommy must have come back and gotten baby. If she had asked me, I would have told her to live it up a little more before returning.

Do we need another baby?

Jack: Mommy, that squirrel is really fussing.

Me: (Put the kids in the car, get my purse, remember to stop at store, need to get gas, take back shirt to Target...)

Jack: Mom, that squirrel is really fussing!

Me: What?

Squirrel: Gip, gip,gip,gip,gip,gip,gip,gip,gip,gip,gip,gip,gip,gip

Me: Well, he does seem upset and he's looking at the ground. Hmmm (possibility of a snake rolls through my mind). Ummm, Jack,let's just back up a bit. Mommy's going to take a look.

And as I tiptoe over to where the squirrel is, this is what I see.














Can't see it yet? Let me get closer...














Just born. Mommy leaves for a few hours to recover, grab some zs and have a stiff drink. She'll be back, though.

Things that don't break down in a baby's digestive tract

1. corn

2. beans

3. edamame

4. raisins

5. playdo

Would you like some BPA with that milk?

I've recently started reading up on the harmful plastics that can leach BPA (bisphenol A) and phthalates into our children's bodies. These are feminizing chemicals, menaing they probably pose more harm to my son than my daughter, but I have concern for any chemical exposure. My theory is that you never know what might become "known" tomorrow versus today about a chemical, so best take the extra step for protection of both kids.

If you are curious, some good references are:
The Toxic Sandbox by Libby McDonald

Smart Plastics Guide

and numerous websites out there. Anyway, the gist after my personal household audit is:

1. I am moving away from plastic dinnerware for the kids when I can. The exception being Alex's straw cups which I have confirmed are BPA-free (The First Years is the brand). Why aren't all kid's dishware BPA-free you ask? Good question. I still wanted something that was microwave and dishwasher safe so that knocked out bamboo or stainless steel sets. I am exploring buying a set of Corelle for the kids which is made from tempered glass but has a process that makes it break-resistant. We'll see. I thought of melamine but after looking at the processing, it didn't look to appetizing to eat off of (formaldehyde? Yuck!)

2. I will be replacing their shower curtain liner with either a nylon one or a PEVA one.

3. I will be much more aware of cosmetics containing phthalates, especially many years down the road when Alex starts to explore make-up. I rarely ever wear make-up but there are some big brands now that are cutting out phthalates because of the restrictions on them in Europe.

4. No re-using plastic water bottles.

Let's face it- it's tough being a parent these days. The more you know, the more frightening it can be.

Just yesterday...

How could it possibly be that my baby is now 4 years old.

It seems like just yesterday that we woke up from our first night in the hospital with him waking every half hour and my husband looked at me and said, "Can we give him back?"

It was just yesterday that he lay on the changing table and sprayed a fountain of urine up into the air and over my head.

It was just yesterday that he held his head up off the ground for a few seconds and then rolled himself over because the weight of his head pulled him like a force of gravity to the side.

It was just yesterday that I burped him over my shoulder and he threw up down my back.

It was just yesterday that he took his first steps, enticed by the oh-so attractive Robeez that I held out as a bribe.

It was just yesterday that he gave me a kiss and said "I wub you".

It was just yesterday that he gardened with me for the first time and ended up with a mouthful of dirt.

It was just yesterday that he flew his first kite.

It was just yesterday that he put on his Bob the Builder toolbelt and announced he was going to work with Daddy.

It was just yesterday that he kissed his baby sister hello.

It was just yesterday that he shared his yogurt drink with her when she cried so she would feel better.

I can't wait to experience all of the tomorrows to come.

RIP Little Piggy

Sad news to report...after following a suspicious trail of cottony white stuffing, I can report that the missing pig that Jack so cherishes has turned up-and not in good condition. The dog had it under the bed with her cradled between her paws. Suffering a gash to the side and a steady leak of stuffing from the leg and hoof detached, PIGGY as he was known to all who loved him has departed this world. All evidence of his sad demise will be hidden before Jack returns home from school. RIP little piggy.

Mom Power!

A great story about one mom who had a bad, make that horrific, experience renting a car seat while on vacation, but turned it into an opportunity to change a big company's policy. Way to go!
Check it out at Delicious Baby

Flu Fest 2008-Day 8

Not to count my chickens before they hatch, but kids look better today. Even by tonight, Jack's swelling was going down.

Please, let me have a day alone tomorrow.

Flu Fest 2008-Day 7

Seriously?

We woke up this morning only to look at Jack and realize that the left side of his face was swollen. Like really swollen. Like no break between his jaw and neck swollen. Doesn't even look like the same kid. So we moved into emergency mode. Call made to Pediatric nurseline. After-hours appt made at doctor. Call to grandparents to keep Alex. John and I got dressed hurriedly, both thinking in our minds that whatever we put on we would be most likely wearing later as Jack is admitted to the hospital.

Thankfully, it was diagnosed as very very swollen lymph nodes on the left side of his neck and an antibiotic was prescribed. Whether it was a reaction to the flu he was fighting or something else like staph or strep, we don't know. We're to expect improvement by Monday, although they said it may take weeks for it to fully go back to normal.

Poor kid, looks like he gained 30 lbs staying home with me.

Flu Fest 2008- Day 6

Day 6 of seclusion. Alex has ear infections in both ears so she is ultra grumpy. We started the antibiotics last night. They are both still snotty little noses and I just hate seeing that in other kids at school. so I am trying to refrain from having the "snotty kid" be my kid.

But honestly, after too many days with just the kids, no Starbucks, and no yoga, I think I might be starting to lose it. I am actually starting to like Handy Manny, Jack's favorite show. When there is a new episode on our DVR, I'm all like "Jack, a new episode. Cool!" Our lunches have severely deteriorated to ...well...whatever I think the kids will eat because I just don't have the energy to struggle with it. Honestly, he could have asked for a scotch and pastrami on rye and I would have given it to him. And my hair, let's not even get into it. All I can say is that it is cemented to my head in some non-style because of lack of time solo to actually blow it dry.

The good news? Our case of the Puffs Plus with lotion and Vicks arrived. Thank god, rationing tissues was no fun.

Tomorrow is Saturday. Reinforcements arrive. I may have to check into a spa.

Flu Fest 2008-Day 5

My fever finally broke last night and I woke up drenched in sweat. But amazingly all the aches and chills, etc were all gone. Still congested and cough is a bit worse, but to be rid of the achy-ness is heaven.

Jack and Alex both seem to be doing better. Less coughing at night- thank goodness as this means I could get a sort-of-good night sleep. Temps back down and just coughs and (less) stuffy noses. I'm guessing they'll be good to go back to school tomorrow, which will be a great break for me since I just need to get some rest from this whole week. Being sick and not being able to just give your body a rest is tough!

Tissues running low, natives getting restless. If you can hear me, send help!

I've been so cocooned in this week. Feel like I missed all sorts of news. Has anyone been elected President yet? Who's gone into rehab this week?

Flu Fest 2008- Day 4

Now why did we get the flu shot again??????

Today was ever worse than yesterday for me. I could barely help my mother in law with the kids, I was so achey and my temp stayed up giving me horrible hot flashes and chills. Had to soak in hot tub twice today just for some relief from the aches in my legs.

Jack still has fever and poor thing just coughing a horrendous cough. I don't know how his throat is not so raw- we've been giving him hot tea at night with some honey-a really good brand made for kids. Hopefully that will help in some small measure.

Alex is just OK. Neither of the kids are eating very well. just trying to keep them hydrated. It will be a miracle if she comes out of this without an ear infection. Every day I clean gunk out of her ears which drains because of the ear tubes.

John is down for the count as well with a temperature, but still manages to get up and out to work for a few hours. I'm sure a few hours alone sick, even if working, is better than staying with two sick kids while you are sick.

This better wind up soon because believe it or not, we are about finished with our case of lovely Puffs Plus with lotion and Vicks tissues. John has reordered more just in case. Thank god you can buy them on Amazon.

Flu Fest 2008-Day 3

By last night, I had been hit. All over body aches and alternating chills and hot flashes. Jack is up to 102 and I am about the same. Alex is holding steady around 101. Thank god we had help from my mother in law to help me with the two sick kids as I would have preferred remaining in a fetal position all day on the couch. Just can't seem to get comfortable-like every pore in my legs is just super sensitive. Hubby put a blanket on me last night and it actually hurt when it touched my skin.

Our ample supply of tissues is fast being depleted. Can you believe we went through 5 boxes in one day? I mean it is just non stop out of the kids noses and since they don't know how to blow their nose, there is no proactive plan here, just catch it when it comes. Jack is so funny- he says "uh-oh, tissue!" in a really loud voice whenever he feels something so one of us can run over and wipe it.

John came home from a half day or work and announced he was getting chills and fever. Oh great!

Flu Fest 2008- Day 2

OK, Alex now has a full blown fever and both of them have running noses like I have never seen the likes of before. Thank god we ordered a case of those Puffs Plus with the Vicks and lotion in them because otherwise there would be some very raw noses around here. Ugggh, I'm not feeling so hot either. My throat is feeling all funny-maybe (hopefully) it is just my allergies acting up. John said he is feeling OK, but a bit stuffy.

Flu Fest 2008 -Day 1

Jack has had a nasty cough lately but I'm sure it's just his regular reaction that he has when ever he gets the slightest bug. We've been raising his head at night, humidifiers, Vick's baby rub (greatest thing ever!) Hmmm, and Alex is feeling a bit warm today.

With fruit on top...

While getting Jack ready for school the other day, I told him I was going to a yoga class. "Yoga?" he said excitedly. "I want to go to yoga!" I told him I couldn't take him with me that day, but we'd find another time to go together.

The next day, I was leaving for my evening landscape class and my mother-in-law told Jack, "Tell Mommy bye-bye. She's going to school.". Jack looked at her and replied, "Silly Nana, Mommy's not going to school. She's going to yogurt class."