Killing me softly

from 12/10/2009

Oh my little Sam man...it really does seem like sometimes he is trying to kill me. Our current dilemma -- potty training. I can't say loudly and strongly enough that I am NOT ready nor am I interested in venturing down this road with Sam yet. Like with Jack, this wonderful adventure isn't on my mommy-radar until Sam's 3rd birthday. Sam has other plans. Does he want to potty-train? Silly question -- of course not! But neither does he want to wear diapers -- ever. His preference? The large oak in the backyard. So our days are spent in a battle of wills -- me vs Sam, diapers vs naked tushie. Most days I win, most days.

I've tried it all -- rewarding going (he realized quickly if he held things he could go a little at a time and get LOTS of m&m's), allowing the outside trips (this resulted in a boycott of diapers that almost did me in), hoping he'd get uncomfortable in the mess (in case we're keeping score, no he didn't), singing potty dances (resulted in funny stares from all the kids) and promises that he would be a BIG boy (his response? "no! Sammy baby!" -- how very caveman-like of him). I've even tried ignoring the situation. Funny thing about that though -- just because you can't see what's going on around you because you've got your head buried like an ostrich in the sand doesn't mean the rest of the world is at a stand-still. Little boys make BIG messes -- even if you pretend like they won't!

I've tried singing potties and quiet potties, colorful potties and plain potties, big potties, little potties, NO POTTY, potty seats, potty chairs, Cars potties and Elmo potties. I can almost open my own potty museum.

And the result? Nada, nothing. Apparently I'm doomed to remain in this endless cycle for a little while longer. Sigh.

At least he's cute, right?!!

Grace's Garden

from 12/10/2009

The pictures won't do it justice but look at the gorgeous quilt Grace's Grandma made her!

Christmas Party

from 12/18/2009

Jack had his Christmas Party for school (I know waaaaayyy back in December). Thought I'd post some pics of how stinkin' cute he and his friends are. Oh and a giant KUDOS to Luke for being Dad of the year -- he knew how sad I was that I had to miss the Thanksgiving Party (come on y'all -- Jack wore a pilgrim hat during lunch!) that he took a couple hours off in the middle of the day to provide an extra set of hands so I could go to the party.

Sam getting in on the Christmas Party action

Jack's treasure from the book exchange

Eating with friends

Silly times with a good friend
The "before" shot -- the crazies are waiting at the door!

Cookie Extravaganza

from 12/18/2009

December 19th we had our first annual Cookies with Grandma Day. For those that don't know Luke's family does cookies RIGHT -- seriously. Didn't get to make it our wedding? Well then you missed the almost 100 dozen (no exaggeration) handmade cookies Luke's mom made in lieu of a groom's cake. To keep the cookie gift alive and well and to celebrate one of Luke's favorite Christmas traditions (and maybe to ward off a little my bad cookie ju-ju) we decided to hold Cookies with Grandma Day. The result? Tired little boys, full of sugar and Grandma's love. Oh and tins upon tins of yummy cookies!!

Sammy checkin' out the action

Jack helping Aunt Cara

Sam making his masterpiece

HAHA -- Love this man

The boys with Grandma

Jack getting expert instruction

Sam showing off the product from Round 1

Not to be out done...

Sam brought me Ginger's water bowl and every so sweetly asked, "more water for Ginger, please." I obliged, filling the bowl with fresh water. Upon receiving the full bowl Sam delicately lifted it up to his lips and drank from it like a cereal bowl. Cups are overrated apparently.

He must've read the post about Jack and wanted in on the action.

Hi, Remember me?

Wow has it been a long time or what?! As Sam would say, "what!" Never ask that child a question and have one of the options be "what" (as in "do you want to play baseball or what?") -- not only is the sarcasm lost on a 2 year old but when he answers "what" it kinda makes you want to slap him...just sayin'.

I have 187843261 posts saved as drafts from Christmas! that need to be posted -- I'm just waiting on pictures. Where are the pictures? On my camera's memory card. Where is the memory card? In my camera, duh. Where is the camera? In my car. Safe place isn't it. And no my legs and arms aren't broken. It's just in the moment of schlepping 4 tons of bags and children from car to door I always forget...and never remember until Grace's midnight feeding. And NO I'm not going outside at midnight -- I'm still a little scared the wolves might get me. Wolves? Forgot to tell you about those, did I? Another time, let's just say it's another childhood holdover and it may or may not be why I wouldn't flush the toilet at night until we moved into a 2-story house.

So while you wait on the other posts that are interesting and deal with kids and their cuteness (oh my are they cute!) I thought I'd post Jack's funny comments today. He's a barrel of laughs that one...

Episode 1
The Scene: Jack and Sam are quietly (relatively speaking of course) drawing hand puppets on paper lunch sacks (a brief moment of parental genius if I do say so!). Jack runs into the kitchen, I'm up to my elbows in soapy dish water.
Jack: Mom (pointing to the bottom of the bag). His wiener is right here but don't worry I covered it up.
Me: (whipping my head around) Whose wiener? Where?
Jack: my puppet. See his wiener is right here but I colored him some pants so people can't see it.
Me: good to know son. thanks.

My thoughts? I read somewhere that the more detail a child adds to portraits of people the more "gifted" they are...what does it say about my kid that he adds genitalia?

Episode 2
The Scene: Jack and Sam playing...me still in the kitchen. Jack begins shrieking in a "this must be an amusement park ride" sort of way.
Me: Jack, why can I hear you over the noise of the dishwasher and sink?
Jack: because I'm loud!

My thoughts? DUH!!

Other than that the day was pretty dull...Unless you count Sam's outfit of crocs and an TAMU t-shirt only, the boys attempting to pull down the oak tree with a rope, Sam biting a chunk out of Jack's shoulder over who got to put the dirty clothes in the bin, Jack instructing his friend to tie him, Sam and another little girl "burn 'em at the stake" style to the tree in the backyard...

oh who am I kidding? It's never dull around here!

record keeping

I know I know -- too long, no updates. I'm tired...I'm thinking about it...I'm wishing I could speak and this thing would type what I have to say. As it is that won't happen...so I'll get around to things eventually. In the meantime, some facts for my future reference.

Jack has become a pro at snapping. It's really quite cute. He is super proud of himself.

Sam is speaking in PARAGRAPHS. HOLY MOLY...I only thought he was my quiet child. He is very focused on pronunciation now -- so we repeat OFTEN.

Grace is 2 months old. She is 10lbs 2oz (35%), 22" (39%) and has a head circ of 15.25" (49%). She is growing by leaps and bounds. According to the doctor she is basically reflux free since she is gaining weight so well. We think it may just be "colic" -- like that makes it easier to get her to sleep! Grace did NOT like her shots -- she was deeply offended that we gave them to her, crying (screaming really) well into the night after her appointment. She now smiles like the pretty princess she is and we love it.

Luke and I have given up sleep for the new year. We wanted to make another resolution but Grace had her own plans -- so no sleep it is!