Taking things literally

I gave each of the boys their very own Nestle Crunch Bar as a token of mommy love.  As they were devouring their precious little treasures, they ran up to me.

Tank (grinning from ear to ear):  Hey mommy, we can spell "Hollywood"! 

(jumps up and down and then looks over at his co-conspirator)

Dash (ever so proudly):  H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D!!!!!

Me: (staring at them looking very confused)

Tank:  That means we win $10,000!!!

Me:  Huh?

Tank:  Okay, do you think it will at least get us into the semi-finals?

They both stood there eagerly awaiting my answer.  A look of hope on their sweet, chocolate covered faces.  I, however, was still confused.

Then it hit me!  I looked at the wrapper and wouldn't you know it...  On the front of each wrapper it said:

Collect & Win!
American Idol
Spell GO TO HOLLYWOOD
and you could go to the FINALE!

Okay, now *I* was disappointed too!  It's hard to dash the dreams of such little guys, especially when it comes to feats of spelling.

Now I'm still trying to figure out where the $10,000 idea came into play...

Question:  How do you feel about easy money?

I have a friend who is dead set against it.  Personally, I don't like it much and think it doesn't do people much good, especially in the long-run.  Semi-easy money... that could be fun, no?  But in smaller amounts. 

Honestly, I would NEVER want to win the lottery!  Waaaay too much pressure and trust issues.  I have nothing to fear though since I have zero chances of winning.  Might as well go driving down the street throwing dollar bills out the window...

(And to those who choose to participate in said activities-- you know who you are-- this is not a rant or lecture personally directed towards you). :-)

 

We've been invaded

Aggghhhh... Blehhhhhh...  Strep has invaded my house.  We battled fevers last week with Dozer, flu for me this weekend, and then David got strep.  Then Dash.  Then Tank and Dozer.  Ick. 

But hooray for insurance, a great pediatrician that will see them right away and for drugs!  It's amazing that something that tastes like drinkable bubblegum can actually kill those little guys that make your whole throat swell up, ears ache and head want to explode.

Since we're still contagious and all, it was a nice family day outside today.  We didn't want to get the new babies, momma's and other kids at church sick.  So we stayed home and played outside.  Strange, huh?

But we're already feeling better and really enjoyed the comfortable 70 degree weather in the yard this afternoon.  Trimmed hedges, picked up branches, toys and debris were cleared from the yard and then we had a big giant burn pile.  Life is good! 

The boys also had fun catching and releasing toads.  Okay, releasing waaaay up in the air.  Okay, catching toads and throwing them back into the tiny pond thingy... then catching them again and throwing them again and again and... I don't know why they didn't hop away while they had a chance.

I guess it was also the first time that Dozer really saw an earthworm.  I was digging and was surprised by one on my hand.  Dozer was immediately running to see the cause for my "concern"-- er...my one jump and scream (notice the lack of the -ing at the end-- this means that I'm not afraid of them, just surprised...that's all).  Tank tried to catch it but it kept wiggling out of his hand.  Such SQUEALS of delight and joy ensued!  There is just something so supremely satisfying and endearing about listening to a 2 year old's squeals of delight, laughter and utter abandon.  I so wish there was a way you could capture that in a bottle-- or even just on video!!!  *sigh*  Why does it always disappear upon the production of a lens?

So that was my weekend and my day.  I should say it was terrible and horrible.  But it wasn't.  Well, Saturday night and Sunday were misery when I couldn't even lift up my head, but the rest was still good.  Nothing like being forced to stay home and be with my kids, instead of our usual running around and overcommitment!  I'm a weirdo, I admit it.  But maybe thinking about childish joy makes one wonky in the thinking department. 

(Which, dear ThinkingBlogger buddies, I thank you kindly for the awards!  I just cannot pass it along right now as it requires way too much thought that will surely overtax my gray matter. But I daresay that I will transfer said honor to others in the near future.)

On the agenda tomorrow: Possum Watch.  The boys found a child-size possum outside their window tonight.  They insist on lying wait for it tomorrow night.  I hope they just intend on watching, keeping a science notebook or just laughing at it.  Please oh please don't let them actually want to catch it or *gasp* keep it!

I'm off to deal with my allergies-- stuffy but runny nose.  What is the solution to such a horrid problem, you ask?  You know it without me even having to answer.  But since you must be insisting...it is looking like a walrus.

 

Friends or brothers?

My boys are currently taking a soccer class twice a week during the month of April.  On our first day of class, one of the other homeschooling mom's made an interesting comment.

She asked me which ones were my kids.  I pointed them out to her.  She then said Oh!  They're brothers?!  I thought they were friends!

Ummm...yes, they are brothers.  And YES, they are friends too.  I am so glad they don't have to choose-- they can be both!  I guess she saw them talking to each other, laughing and just playing together.  Imagine that...brothers getting along and seeking each other's company over everyone else.

I hope that this scene will be a normal part of our lives from now until the Lord comes back.  Just today, Tank fell asleep while we were driving.  He passed out and plopped his head sideways...leaning on his big brother's shoulder.  That's the way it should always be, right?  They should always be able to lean on and support each other.  Dash just smiled and said That's okay. He can lean on me.

(By the way, they have a very normal brother relationship that includes lots of competing and fighting and adventures...so it was encouraging to witness this moment of personal space violation that yielded no bad results!)

That's also how I feel about my own sisters and brother.  I am very blessed to have a close, special and FUN relationship with each of them!

I know not everyone has a sibling (my dh included), but the Bible speaks of this as well:

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  ~Proverbs 18:24

Pretty cool, huh?  As much as I love and am close to my family, I can count on JESUS even more! :-)

 

How do you like your hair?

QUESTION:

How do you like your hair?

ANSWERS:

Dash (7yo):  Short.  I want to be like daddy!!!  (yelled at the top of his lungs)

By the way, daddy is completely bald.  Shaved-head-shadow-hair bald (not quite the Mr. Clean cut...at least not yet!).

Tank (5yo):  Ummm...I wike it a wittle wong.
Me:  Why?
Tank:  Because when something hits your head...wike this (proceeds to pound his head with his fist)... then it doesn't hurt as much.  It kinda bounces off wike this!  (couple more pounds for emphasis).
Me:  Okay.  That makes complete sense.
Tank:  Yaaaah.

Perhaps he tested his new hair helmet a little too much today... Anyone have a clue as to when he should stop having this super-cute-very-unique-and-high-pitched-voice?  It's great being able to hear him coming from 10 miles away and all, but...when should I start thinking about saying goodbye to that sweet, piercing voice that can't ever say the "L" sound?

***

PS  Have you submitted your nominations for the Homeschool Blog Awards yet?  Some of our HSB buddies have already been nominated.  Better hurry, nominating ends on April 6th!  I've already made some of my choices...and it hasn't been easy!

PPS    I also have a <a href=http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/babycatcher> new friend </a> that will be pulling her kidlets out of private school very soon!  Please stop by her blog and say hi.  I'm sure she would love the encouragement and any advice that y'all might have for someone that has to DE-school her kids first.

PPPS  Check out <a href=http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/chickadee/307219> CHICKADEE'S </a> thought-provoking and completely encouraging post entitled "A Homemaker".

PPPPS  While I'm sending you around the blogosphere, <a href=http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/underdog/303339> UNDERDOG </a> is a pretty funny character as well.  I really liked his post entitled "Thump, thump".

PPPPPS  Is there a rule or limitation to the number of post's in a postscript?  Eventually, it just makes me look like I'm sticking my tongue out at y'all...and that would not be using good manners. 

Marsha :-)

 

 

poo-poo

Today started off in a mighty and grand way!  Dozer (2yo) looked at me with his pale skin and bright blue eyes.  Then he just stood there.  His skin started blushing bright red underneath that glowing stack of yellow hair.  Ahhh...the first signs of going poo!  Yeeeeeeehaw.

An interesting thing then happened.  He ran to the potty and motioned for me to take off his diaper (strange how the boy who can fix his own cereal, as well as waffles in the toaster can't take off his own diaper...).  So I plopped him up on the porcelain throne.  He smiled, he strained, he tried to escape.  Then...he did it.  Plop.  Blop.  Smile.  SUCCESS!!!

We wiped, we flushed, we high-fived!  The big boys came running in to see what the celebration was all about.  My baby went poopy in the potty!  HOORAY!

I was smiling to myself as I thought about my little baby doing such a grown up thing. :-)  Just at that moment, little Dozer ran in to me crying.  Pointing.  Pointing into the living room.

I walked into the living room to find two little gifts from my littlest man.  Of the smelly variety.  I'm glad he squatted on the floor instead of on the carpet!  Yuppers, two fresh pieces of poop just waiting for mommy.  Still warm too.  Lovely thought, isn't it?

Oh well, I wasn't ready for him to be potty trained anyway.  I'm of the wait til he's 3 and then knock it out in a week mindset.  I guess I should also be thankful that 1.) he didn't hand me this special gift and that 2.) I didn't walk into the room wondering where in the world these little brown footsteps came from!!!

Yucky.

But it's worth it to be a mom, isn't it?  I just love my boys.  Clean, muddy or smelly, they're ALL MINE. :-)

Overheard today...

Tank (5) bounds into the bedroom.  He excitedly tells his big brother (7): 

You know what?!  When I turn my head to the side like this (turns head), then my eyes stay turned to the side!  And then when I turn it like this (turns head the other direction), my eyes are still on the side!!!  I don't know why it does that!!!

They are both currently in a state of...weirdness.  Yes, weirdness is a good word (and I'm sure it will be a lifelong state).  But curious too.  I haven't explained to them the why's of such an odd occurence.  I don't know if I ever will either.  It has been too fun watching them turn their heads to the side with their eyes staying focused on one position! 

All morning long, tuuuuurn the head, looooook to the side, tuuuuuurn the head, looook to the side... :-) 

Who needs TV or the zoo?  I have my kids to entertain me!!!  Oh, and they get that stuff from their dad's side of the family. hehehee...

Birthday bashes, boogers and being a bum

Last week was my own dear mommy's 60th birthday!  We threw her a humongo birthday party that had lots of Korean food, cake, friends, all my sib's and in-law's in attendance, and even a pinata. 

Weird, I know, but it was fun...and my mom looked too cute whacking that big ole bear that looked like it was strung up on a noose (in the church fellowship hall, no less!).

Here's a pic of my mom back when she was in her 20s.  She was a professional singer back in the day.  Beautiful, no?

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A great time was had by all, except for moi.  Well, it's not that it wasn't fun but that I was SICK.  Can you believe that as soon as I got there, I started feeling odd, bleh, and then just bad?  Yup, the FLU.  I spent the entire weekend laying on the couch and being absolutely miserable.   I tried to hide it though...

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(My mom is on the left.)

So we are now back home and trying to catch up on things...School has yet to be one of them though as all three kidlets have been sick all week.  *sigh*  Fever, boogers, fever, coughing, fever, chest congestion, fever, boogers...  But I'm so very thankful that we are finally getting better!  Sitting on the couch and laying around in bed gets old after a while (I never thought I'd say that!).  Besides, it makes me feel like a bum.

A couple other things wandering through my mind:

* Be sure to check out the HSB Literary Society-- aka book club!  We just started our first discussion on chapters 1-3 of Ishmael by E.D,E,N. Southworth.  We'd love to have y'all join the discussion!

* Have I mentioned that I love my hubby?  He is the bestesterest daddy.  The boys have been amusing themselves the past couple of days with a new "just because" gift from daddy.  They each got their own Craftsman Tape Measure!  This is right up there with the shovels we got them for Christmas one year.  Besides measuring, estimating, and practicing practical math skills, you can return them to any Sears store for a free replacement!  We've returned several shovels the past couple of years and had no problems getting them replaced.  That's what we love about the Craftsman line of hand tools from Sears...boys can get pretty rough with their tools!

* Gena (TOSpublisher) is having a photo contest for a new e-book.  Besides fame, you can also win a little fortune with a gift certificate at The Old Schoolhouse Store!

*  Can anyone recommend a good cookbook for cooking light?  I need normal food (no gourmet here) without too many ingredients.  Needs to be family and picky hubby friendly.  David's good cholesterol levels are too low and I need to adjust our diet.  Actually, this is a GREAT thing since it's the exact incentive he needs to try to eat better.  I am happy to report that he's been working out every day since then, though!  (I'm happily cheering him on from the sidelines...while I eat my thin mints and drink my coffee that is deliciously laden with two spoons of sugar and a healthy dollop of Vanilla Almond Parfait creamer). :-)

I need a translator

My original idea for this post was to talk about how you're a big boy when...  Like today when Dozer (2yo) went round and round and round on the Sit n Spin.

But instead I got distracted first by this weirdness

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(The boy needs a pet or something, doesn't he? That's just really sad...) 

And then by this gobblety-goopy-talk that I just could NOT understand!  I can usually kinda figure out what he's saying, but not this time...  Anyone care to translate?  Anyone?


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PS Is anyone going to the Texas Above Rubies retreat this year?   It's in April and southwest of Dallas...just wonderin... I'm not sure if I'm going but a blogger friend in attendance might encourage me to make time for it!

Wrestling

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While they are all different sizes, strange how they are all a pretty good match for each other!  What one might not have in size, he has in spunk and determination...

We do have peaceful moments around here, but the ROWDY is definitely in the majority.  Just the way I like it... :-)  Most days anyway...

Why I love having three boys

THREE BOYS=BROTHERS

When it is a Sunday afternoon and you are grounded from video games, movies, tv AND you have to be completely quiet because there is a 2yo napping, it's amazing what you can actually accomplish!

I was in the kitchen and heard a frantic knocking on the front door.  I opened it to find Tank (5yo) with a helmet on his head and hopping up and down like a spaz.  He ran to the driveway where he and Dash (7yo) proudly showed me this fantastical accomplishment (I was COMPLETELY shocked and surprised!-- just ignore the sound of my dorky laugh, k?):

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Nothing like a big brother to show you the life skills necessary to be a proper young man!  *sigh*  I can't believe my little middle man knows how to ride without training wheels.  Up to this point, he just didn't want to learn.   

 

 

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PS  Since this is Dash's bike, Tank's feet cannot reach the ground when he's on the seat... So when it was time to stop, he would brake, hop off the side and let the bike crash down.  Didn't we ALL do that when we were little?! :-)

7 Weird Things about Me

Christine (aka www.homeschoolblogger.com/ladyhawk82158) has tagged me.

Hmmm...only 7?!  Let me see... I may have posted some of these before, so excuse the repetition!

1.  I am double-jointed in my elbows.  This means that you can twist my arm all the way around and it doesn't hurt.  It also totally messes up my bowling game as my arm will twist right before I release the ball.

2.  I love to eat canned mackerel!  It is YUMMY!  Drain the juice, plop it in a pan, add some soy sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, and hot bean paste (found in your asian market)...bring to boil and then simmer for a bit.  Eat it wrapped up in lettuce leaves with rice.  Mmmm...

3.  I am a bit OCD with things needing to be perfectly parallel, perpendicular or in a row.  If you're like me, you know exactly what I'm talking about!  I can't help fiddling at a counter, desk, kitchen, etc.-- even when it's someone else's!  Line em up, straighten it out, even-steven's.

4.  When I was little, I used to love riding my bike around the block without holding on to the handlebars...and twirling a sparkling baton... (Yes, it sounds completely dorky and embarassing, but it was FUN!).

5.  I love boxes.  Trinkety boxes, hat boxes, gift boxes, fabric covered boxes, wooden boxes...  I wouldn't want to keep anything IN them-- since you can't see what's inside (gotta have clear plastic bins for that), but I just love the look of them and just having them around.  BUT since I hate clutter, I don't actually BUY these boxes, but I will spend waaay too long at a store just staring at them!

6.  I grew up thinking Miracle Whip was mayonnaise.  (I have my dad to thank for that! Grrrr...) ;-)  So imagine my pleasant surprise the first time I had REAL mayo.  I remember asking What is this?  Our mayo never tasted like this!  This was in HIGH SCHOOL, mind you!  All those years eating icky Miracle Whip and missing out on Hellmann's...  *sigh*  It's time I can never get back...

7.  Even with my previously horrid experience with the tangy zip of Miracle Whip, I do keep a small container on hand for the sole purpose of eating on a fried bologna sandwich.  This also means that I must (on rare occasion) buy a loaf of WHITE bread instead of wheat.  Actually, that sounds really good right now.  I think I'll send hubby out for a loaf of white bread so I can have one for lunch!

Anyone else want to join in on this tag?  If you do, let me know so I can read how wierd you are!  After all, normal is BORING.  And I don't want any "normal" friends!!! :-)

The way to a little man's heart

Tank (5yo):  Mommy, you are SUCH a good mommy!

Me:  I am?

Tank:  Yup.  You are so good I don't EVER want to get rid of you!

Me:  Really?  Not even if I'm mean to you?

Tank:  No, never!  You're a good mommy.  Do you know why?

Me:  Why?

Tank:  Because you make such good food.  VERY good, actually.


Moral of this story?  The way to a man's heart, whether big or little, is most definitely through his stomach!  At least in this family! >D

Moonwalks and I need your ideas!

Tank just turned 5 and Dash will be 7 in a few weeks.  We are having a combined birthday party next week for both of the boys and Dh and I were discussing the possible rental of a moonwalk. Tank comes running into the room...

 

Tank: Mommy! Are we going to walk on the moon?  Are we?  On the mooooon?!

 

Me:  Nope.

 

Tank:  Okay...are we going for a walk at night?

 

Me:  Uh uh.

 

Tank:  Dash, do you know what a moonwalk is?  What's a moonwalk?  Can you tell me what a moonwalk is?

 

Dash: It's kind of walking on the moon in space.

 

Tank:  But no...

 

Me:  It's one of those bouncy things that you can jump in...you know, inflatable-- filled with air...

 

Dash:  So it's when you're a firefighter and you're on a very tall building and you need to get down and you jump off the building onto a trampoline?

 

Oi veh.  They really have been on one many times!  But somehow I am not speaking their language right now...

 

Speaking of the party...  Any ideas on some fun party games?  We will have tons of kids from ages 2-15 along with their parents.  I forgot who mentioned it on their blog, but I am planning on hiding a cherry in a plate of whipped cream and having them find it without using their hands.  Any other outside contests/games/ideas for us???

 

Thanks!!!

Marsha

They're growing up already

I hate to say it...but my boys are growing up to be men.  I know... you're thinking this must be another DUH! moment, but it's not.  At the ages of almost-7 and 5, they might not exactly be on the brink of manhood but they are indeed already on their way!  Every day brings them a step closer.

 

Steve Walden's post about fishing with his son and his dad really got me thinking.  Grandpa, dad and son spoke together about manly things like carburetors, war and wetting a hook.  While I could talk to my boys about these things, it's just not the same as if it were coming from their dad.  After all, they want to grow up to be a MAN (like their dad) not a woman/wife/mommy!

 

I really came to the whole boy/man-wannabe realization a few weeks ago when we went out to lunch.  We were eating at our fav Mexican restaurant and ordered waters for everyone.  The waiter returned with large cups of water for me and David.  Tank (5) and Dozer (1.5) got the usual styrofoam cups with lid and straw.  Dash (7) would normally get the lidded cup and straw as well...but this time he got a big cup.  As in "real" cup.  No lid.  No straw.  Slice of lemon.

 

He looked at me questioningly, pointed to his cup and whispered Look, mommy.  (Translation: Why did he give me the wrong cup?)

 

I answered, He thinks you're big enough now. 

 

A smile began to creep across his lips and then he started to twinkle and smirk.  To think that someone else thought he was big!  I couldn't help but share his smile and I could see the pride on his face.  It was a good kind of pride...the Finally! Someone else actually sees that I'm not a baby anymore! kind of pride.  He was beaming.  And all for that one little big glass of water. :-)

 

It's funny how they really do grow into their labels sometimes.  You treat them like babies and they act like babies.  You treat them with a little respect (well, the respect worthy of a future manly man!) and they actually act a little more mature.

 

I guess I need to find more ways to show him that he really is a little man right now.  I need to expect him to be brave and courageous, expect him to work things out with his brother or friend, expect him to succeed in a difficult physical task...  He's pretty good about living up to my expectations! 

 

I can't believe Tank is 5 years old!

There is less than half an hour left of my sweet Tank's birthday.  I can't believe he's 5 years old already!!!  We had a great family day starting at Chuck E. Cheese.  He proudly whooped up on me on Arctic Thunder...and I didn't even let him win!  Then we went out to lunch, let him pick out a new bicycle from Academy, and then my in-law's let him pick out a present from Target.  He thought it was a fantastically fabulous day-- and so did I!

 

 What can I say?  We all love video games in our house...And me getting my bootay kicked by a newly crowned 5 year old was a family affair!

 

Dh and I were lamenting his growth last night and remembering the day he was born.  It was a tough pregnancy with me going into early labor at 27 wks while we were visiting family out of state.  It took ALL night for them to stop the contractions and I also had this excruciating pain in my side that they thought was appendicitis.  But God brought us through it and my precious second son was born only 5 weeks early.  He was a tiny thing at a little over 6 lbs and was in the hospital for over a week as he overcame some kind of infection and tried to regulate his body temperature (which was very low).

 

He was such a HAPPY and sweet and easy-going baby!  This kid loved to eat everything and anything.  And from the beginning wanted to be laid down to sleep!  He would hardly ever fall asleep in your arms but just wanted his own bed.  (Such a difference from his big brother Dash!). 

 

As he got older, he would play in his bed until he fell asleep and then would play in the morning until we were ready to get him out of bed.  I know, I was one spoiled momma! :-)  It was such a blessing though as he did battle RSV, asthma, etc when he was really young.  Even now he is usually the last one up...and if he's really tired, he'll just give us a kiss and tell us he's going to bed.  Weird, huh?

 

Oh, back to lamenting his growth...there's a reason we call him Tank-- he really is a solid little man.  When he heard dh and I talking about his growth, he came up to my dh, climbed into his lap, put his arms around his neck and said:

 

Daddy, don't worry... I will always be your baby!

 

That's so sweet that I'll overlook the fact that he didn't say he would be my baby...  Oh well, two out of my three are mommy's boys!

 

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY TANK!  I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

My little helper

Tank has been busy cleaning the glass on the french doors today.  With paper towels and Windex in hand, he then worked his way through the kitchen as well.  I see him duck into the bathroom and then out again with a big wad of paper towels.

 

What are you doing, Tank?

 

I'm cweaning the sink.

 

You are?  Why?

 

Because I sawed on the bawtle that it will cwean the sink and make it spawkle!  I heared it say that on the bawtle.  Don't worry.  It will just take me a minute.

 

He disappears again for a minute.

 

Is the sink clean in there, Tank?

 

Well, it's not spawkling yet.  It IS shiny, but it's not spawkling.  Maybe we should give it a few more minutes...

 

Yes, maybe we should. :-)  In the meantime, I will hug and kiss and tickle him and just enjoy him while it's just me and him.  Maybe dawdling isn't so bad after all!

Finally! Pictures to share!

I guess it would be a good idea to start with a pic of my mom and sisters (and me!) at Coco's baby shower.  I'm only a month behind on the post...

 

(me, my mom, Lele, Bobo and Coco-- who is the prego one)

 

So I guess this picture would be before (April)...

And this one of my niece Emily would be AFTER (last week):

 

 

Isn't she beautiful?!  I wasn't very good with the camera on this one though...the flash kept making her squint her eyes.  She looks really big in this picture but she's really, really small on that quilt!  Which, I am proud to say, I made all by myself!  A seamstress I am not, but I think this quilt ended up quite lovely. ;-)

 

Since I'm in a picture uploading mood, here's one of Dozer making a tower from the pantry.  Was 4 enough for him?  Nooooo....he just had to go for one more which was his undoing!

 

 

I don't think I could've made that big of a tower with those materials...

 

And here's one more of Dozer making the biggest, grinniest face that he could muster!

 

 

Well, that's it for now.  Have a great Memorial Day, my friends!

 

Love,

Marsha

 

 

Where babies come from

When I was prego with Dozer, Dash and Tank were quite fascinated with my expanding belly.  They were very excited about their baby brother's impending arrival and loved to feel his strong kicks and watching mommy's belly bounce and jiggle.  One of their favorite things to do was to try to look in my belly button and try to see the baby!

 

On Dozer's birthday, they were not too surprised to visit me in the hospital and hold their new little brother for the first time.  This, of course, comes to the question of How does it get out, mommy?  Fortunately, I didn't really have to answer this question.  They had always assumed that baby would come out of my belly button!

 

This was told to me yesterday by Tank, who is my very sweet almost 5 year old.

 

Tank: Heheheheheheeee.... (running like a spaz around the room with his shirt pulled up)

 

Me: I see your belly button!  It kinda sticks out doesn't it? (he's got a little bit of an outie)

 

Tank:  Whoa!  It looks like I'm going to have a baby!!!  heheheheeee.... (continues to run around the room like a spaz)

 

Me:  What?

 

Tank:  Noooo...  I know... only girls can have babies!  Hey Dash, it looks like I'm going to have a baby! heheheheee  (giggles again and runs around the room like a spaz)

 

I just love my little spaz!!!  He always cracks me up.

Five Reasons Why I Love My Hubby

Gena-bena is having a new contest where you can win a whole box of See's candy... Isn't she good to have one while she's on vacation in California?

 

Anyhow, here are five of the bzillion reasons why I love my very dear husband:

 

1.  His monkey face.  He doesn't really look like a monkey.  But he can pull his ears out, puff up his cheeks, and open his eyes really wide and make the most hilarious (and cute) monkey face!  He first debuted this talent when we were dating and then it kind of fell by the wayside over our almost 10 yrs of marriage.  Now it is reserved only for special occasions like when I'm having a very, very bad day.  Grumpy, cranky old me being mean to him.  Does he retaliate and be mean back?  Nope.  He'll suddenly just look at me and make that silly face and all is well in the world.

 

2.  His notes.  He doesn't have the best handwriting in the world.  Actually, I'm the official form-filler-outer.  My dear hubby will occasionally leave little notes for me around the house.  A scrap of paper in my jewelry box, taped to the closet door, or on the bathroom mirror.  He's not romantic in a big, over-the-top kind of way...but it is the many, many little things (like these notes) that he shows his love and kindness to me every single day.

 

3.  He's a gentleman.  He always opens the car door for me.   And he always says thank you for the meal...even if it didn't turn out right.  I'll never forget the time I made jerk shrimp.  I put it in front of him and he started to eat it.  When I finally sat down and took the first bite, I totally gagged.  It was SO nasty!!!  Horrific-ly horrible.  Completely nast-ola!  I could not even swallow that first bite.  I told him he didn't have to eat it, but he didn't want to hurt my feelings.  He was able to choke down three more bites before it all went in the trash!  Yup, he's a trooper.  And I love him.

 

4.  He's blind when it matters.  My crazy man will look at me at the end of a long day (or at the beginning of one) and tell me I am beautiful.  Morning breath, Texas-summer-sweat kind of stinky, grouchy-cranky, or ratty old t-shirt...it doesn't matter.  I can look so ultra-yuck and he still tells me I am beautiful.  If love is blind, he must love me A LOT because he can be so very, very blind sometimes!  And that is a very good thing.

 

5.  He realizes that shopping is therapeutic.  It's terrible.  All the females in my family are addicted to shopping.  It's a trait we inherited from our mother.  My very smart husband realized the value of this addiction early on.  This has been especially useful since having children.  Whenever I've had an extremely bad one of those days (which usually happens while he's at work for a few days in a row), he comes home and tells me to just leave.  Just go somewhere...have coffee with your friends, go shopping, go read a book...just go and stay out as long as you want!  It's terrible that this actually works, huh?  But I just need a few hours of alone time and then I am rejuventated and my happy self again.  I slink back home feeling a tad bit guilty of my previously bad mood and find the kids in bed, the house quiet, and dh waiting for me with a great big hug and kiss.

 

Yup, I LOVE that man o' mine!

First Words

Nope, I'm not talking about foreign language lessons or anything like that.  Just wondering what the first words your children learned to say.  Not what you think the gobblety-goop they just mumbled meant, but what they said on purpose.

 

Dozer's first word was "mommy"-- usually with a tear-stained, crying face.  He then moved on to "Yeah", a very clear and happy "Daddy!" and "Choo-choooooo" whenever he'd see a toy train (Thomas fanatics here so there are lots of those around). 

 

I still don't think it's fair that "mommy" is still only said when he's upset and "daddy" is always, always in a very happy, cheery voice!  The good thing is that he wakes up happy and yelling daddy, so dh will hop right out of bed to get him. :-)  Really, who could resist such a sweet wake-up call like that?  And it gives me just a few more minutes in bed!

 

Anyhow, that's the extent of my 17 month old's vocabulary.  The pedi commented at his check up a few months ago that he's developed well in every area but we need to work on speech.  Uhhhh...okay....  He's a baby!  And we do talk to him and read on occasion (occasionally read to him, not occasionally talk to him), but you know what?  He just didn't like books until a couple of weeks ago (and even now only for a minute or two!)....soooo....there!....  I better stop before I get pathetically defensive and mean.

 

Anyhow, back to the old question:  What were your child's first words?