We can have

Like 10 kids now that we have realized that they don't need a bedroom. All they really seem to want is a shelf within the armoire. We could easily tuck 3 in there/night.

Bring on the babies!!!

Hot Day Heartbreak

The emotions of a toddler are so very raw. So very readable, so relatable. I feel like Luke did today many times in a week (day?) yet have learned to hide those feelings, or to deal with them, or to do whatever it is that we adults do with our feelings to make them more socially acceptable.

Babies have none of that. Its why I scoff at the idea that a baby can "be held too much" in fear that we "spoil" them. Babies have needs, and only one way of vocalizing those needs. Toddlers are different, they have learned that they have several ways to vocalize those needs, some of them terribly annoying, some of them wonderfully sweet and refreshing and endearing.

Its hot out today. Nate is away. As a "'spesh treat!" I stripped the kids to their diapers and let them loose on the porch with some popsicles after dinner. This is indeed a "spesh treat" (is it gross if I admit that this giant box of popsicles is from last summer? I hope not.). While I finished cooking my dinner, I handed the kids their popsicles and let them loose in the playpen (aka the deck with no ground access). I soon heard a most wretched cry. A full out straight on "I HAVE BEEN WRONGED" sort of cry. Assuming that Jules had perhaps grabbed Luke's popsicle, I ran outside. Alas, it was just that Luke had, in his novice popsicle eating enthusiasm, pushed his treat clear out of the paper container, into a sticky, sodden mess on the floor. He was heartbroken. Literally aghast at the unfairness of the universe and it's working against him. As I played the part of a good Mama (meaning that I laughed privately and grabbed my camera before plucking him up in my arms and promising a better outcome) I thought about how sweet and pure his simple disappointment was.

The ensuing pictures are proof that sometimes, occasionally, Mama can right all that is wrong with the world. My Dad told me when I was first pregnant, "Small kids, small problems" ~ I am learning both how true, and how false, that phrase is. Our problems are relatively small at this point. A popsicle dropped. A toy not shared. Not drugs, not speeding tickets, not "I hate you Mom" sort of things. However, I am also a big believer in the idea that even in the small problems, there are bigger lessons learned. Sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) life is unfair. Sometimes, one has to share, or to endure a time out, or not get what one wants. Sometimes thing are done that cannot be undone. Someone dies. Feelings are hurt. Joy is crushed. Hearts are broken. I try not to indulge my kids. I try to let them learn that there are consequences, that there is simple shit luck, and that sometimes even doing everything right does not ensure the hoped for outcome. I believe that those little lessons will someday, I hope, make my kids better able to endure the ultimate unfairness of life. I pray and hope with all of my being that I can teach my children that sometimes life is hard, and sometimes life is unfair, and that all we can do is to try harder, accept what we cannot change, and keep on keepin on.

Other times, I just hand out another popsicle. Today was one of those other times. Today, I could solve Luke's problem. And today, solving a problem brought both of us joy.

When Mama is away.........

The kids will play.

With powder, apparently.

I unexpectedly spent the day in the hospital yesterday (I'm fine). Nate was in charge of the kids as family was out of town, our sitters out of pocket, and we didn't imagine that it would turn into the all day event that it did, so we didn't want to bother friends.

Being a stay at home Dad (even if it's for less than a full day) is hard.

Lesson learned.


:)

Naughty Face

#1 Jules making "Look at my beautiful necklace" (aka Luke's pajama bottoms) face.
#2 Jules making "Naughty Face".

More on naughty face, and the momentous weekend, later. I'm beat.

Oh yes.

Luke gets bed head all of a sudden. Why didn't he get bed head when he slept in a crib?

Also, he had his two year old well baby visit this week. The Dr. declared him perfect. Well duh.

I could have told you that, and I don't even have a degree.

In all seriousness, he is a big, strong healthy guy with a huge vocab. Way to go, Luke. It appears that we have not screwed you up too badly (yet?).

Weekend Recap

Aunt Becca's wedding shower was a ton of fun. The countdown to the wedding is on!

Luke's cake was a hit.

Luke kicking back in his new chair with his new ball. The ball is his new favorite thing. He insisted on it "sleeping" on the pillow next to him in bed last night.

Like father like son.

Luke in his bed. He transitioned easily and quickly into his new 'big guy bed' about 2 weeks ago. He has been taking 3.5 to 4 hour naps for the past 2 weeks so I would say that it's a hit.

Luke writing his Valentines this year.

Discovering that climbing inside the dryer is great fun.
Julia, rocking the funniest teeny tiny pigtail ever known to man. I was laughing so hard that Nate had to kiss her and tell her that mullets were ALL the rage.

It was a fantastic, if exhausting weekend. When asked his age, Luke is enjoying holding up two fingers and saying "big two". It makes me laugh. Becca had a wonderful shower and is a ridiculously beautiful and gracious bride to be. Julia welcomed the first tiny peek at a top tooth, and is taking up to three steps at a time now. And I am BEAT. I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines day.

Sunday

Santa, part 1.

LOOK AT SANTA'S FACE!!!

More on the whole Santa thing tomorrow. Much more. But tonight, I'm beat and the allure of the couch is too strong.

Tomorrow Luke is going to his first pre-school scope out with me. Pre-School!?!?!?

Julia, Child

Go. Just GO.

World Series Here We Come

Go Phillies

Phils kick off the NLCS tonight. Luke, Nate, Julia and I all hope they win.

Julia witnesses chaos

I almost forgot. I love this picture. It is Julia taking in all of the chaos that is Wonderland Pier. The kids, the lights, the noise, the chaos.

I think that her face sums it all up.

Baby Butt

Its not really a blog until it includes naked baby butt. This is Luke running away with his diaper tonight after dinner. I have a ton to catch up on, meant to do it tonight but it just aint happenin. Enjoy.

Dancin Man

Here is Luke getting his groove on tonight. The dance party started once his clothes came off after dinner ~ Luke had his hands up above his head until I told him that his Dad pretty adamantly believes that only hippie's and girls EVER dance with their arms above their heads.......he immediately segued into the more traditionally male "hands in front of body feet not moving" white guy shuffle. The diaper and shoes really complete the look....don't you think? I mean, its a wonder you don't see that look more frequently on the dance floor. Luke's bringing sexy back.

He is also proudly sporting his very first pair of real kid shoes. Now that he walks everywhere I felt that it was time to get him into some real soled shoes. He seems to like them. He has fat little size 5.5 W feet,and he was a charmer through the entire foot measuring experience at the shoe store. His walking was a little funny in the new kicks, hopefully he gets used to them tomorrow.

Who's your Daddy?

You know you see it.

If not for the blue eyes, blond hair, and 2'6 inch vs 6'6 height thing, its virtually him.