Going through countless bottles of spray sunscreen, boxes of freezer pops and packs of swim diapers.

Battling over sun hats and flip-flops or no shoes at all.

Never seeing the gas tank empty light come on because Daddy drives my SUV.

A lot more time together with not-so-hectic schedules.

Spray tans and pedicures and remorse when wearing a swimsuit and catching a glimpse of my backside in the mirror.

Kari graduating from UNI

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 24

It always sounds like a good idea.  Well at least it does to a mom who dreams of the day when her husband, daughter and son can together with her enjoy a family-friendly movie in a local theater.  Stupidly I ignored three failed attempts with Charlotte and tried to convince myself this time, with Daddy and Thomas in tow, would be different.  It wasn’t.  It went from bad to really bad quickly.  I guess the drive to the theater was pleasant.  Watching Charlotte walk to the SUV I even let myself savor the moment that finally this scene was playing out–we were all going to enjoy Toy Story 3.  I opted for the cheaper 2D version.  A good choice because the girl selling the tickets said 3D can hurt the eyes of children 4 & younger.  News to me!  $27 later we were at the snack bar.  Of course the kids were starving as we had just come from a quick change at home after nothing but a light snack at the water park.  $15 later we had a Kiddie Combo, large soda and Jolly Rancher gummies in hand.  5 minutes in our seats, well only Dave and I were staying in our seats, and Charlotte set the Kiddie Combo on her vacant chair.  You know where this is going.  It flipped up and dumped all the popcorn on the floor underneath.  While reaching to eat it off the ground, Thomas dropped the little Icee that came with it also underneath a chair.  Dave goes to retrieve it as Thomas is stuffing gummies in his mouth, Charlotte is dumping the sugar filling of a swizzle stick all over and I am waking up from my ridiculous family movie fantasy.  The kids would not stay in their seats and were not interested AT ALL in the cartoon previews… so no way were they going to make it through the movie that had yet to begin.  We did the right thing.  We bailed.  Charlotte crying and screaming most of the way out.  Thomas still not getting it.  Thankfully, we got a full refund.  For the tickets, that is. Two handfuls of popcorn, a few sips of pop and a handful of gummies… the most expensive little snack we’ve had in some time.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 24

Rocking Thomas to sleep one night this week, I considered whether we’ll talk a lot when he grows up and moves out.  (I know it’s a little crazy these things cross my mind when he’s not yet 2.)  During my college years in Boston and most of my 20′s living in the Northwest, I only connected with my parents over the phone once or twice a week.  But that changed at 29 when I moved to Iowa, alone, and not only talked to them daily but drove home to spend most weekends at their house in Illinois.  Now that I’m married with children, I feel compelled to share so much with them–some times more than once daily.  You grow up and think you’re so independent but then one day discover how much your parents made you who you are and the relationship strengthens.  At least mine did.  Since I moved so far away after high school, I really can’t/won’t be upset when one or both of my children make similar choices.  Their genetic make-up might demand it.  When asked recently by a woman at a restaurant how old she was, Charlotte said, “I am 4 but I wish I was in college.”  Already I can see where this is going.  I just hope she takes the time to drop me an email or two more than once a week… at that point with technology, a video conference between classes would be a nice treat as well.  As for Thomas, I cherish the moments with him now since soon enough he’ll be too busy trying to spend time with women other than dear old mom.

Mary pregnant with Maxwell

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 24

Wanted to share another entertaining email I received recently from a gentleman whose name I have omitted:

Hi Tara:

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 24

It happened so quickly I didn’t have time to dwell on it.  Today I threw away what remained of my son’s bottles.  No more caps and nipples taking up countertop space in the kitchen.  They are gone for good.  Thomas started refusing the bottle the past couple weeks.  Can you believe it?  The kid who never took a pacifier and has used the bottle as a soothing mechanism ever since he gave up the boob at 5 months.  I thought for sure it would be a Charlotte repeat where he was nearly 3 before the bottles were completely cut out.  But he made it so easy for us.  He just stopped wanting one and confirmed it when I made sure he was serious and asked him before taking a nap or going to bed recently.   Thomas shook his head or said, “No.”  I am giving my microwave bottle steamer to my sister for her 5-month-old.  There is no going back now.  It is a little sad, I’ll admit.  No more holding my little boy as he plays with my ring or pinches the skin on the top of my hand as he drinks from his bottle.  He’s moving on, and so must Mommy.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 24

At least they held and worked for almost a year.  Today we confirmed with the specialist what I suspected, the tubes put in my son’s ears last August are turned and on their way out.  Hence the recent ear infection with no visible drainage.  We are opting to get a second set as he did so well these past few months with minimal ear problems.  Of course the surgery is scheduled on our 5-year anniversary.  Appropriate, actually, since our kids usually come first.  And before you suggest all the recent swimming and jumping underwater are to blame, the doctor assured me there is no connection.  Believe me I considered it.  Turns out, if there is no drainage, he can be back in the pool within a day or two post-op.  That made us feel better since he loves to swim and hates to miss out on Sissy’s activities–which regularly involve water.  We just did not want to risk the start of a new school year, Thomas in young preschool, to have regular infections begin again.  Of course we are already thinking about the mask over his face and the sobs bound to come when he awakes.  But I know many children go through much worse.

Holly, the day she had twins

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 24

My kids absolutely, totally love the water.  I did, too, at their age until a day of diving in my Florida cousins’ backyard pool at 5 left me with an ear infection so bad I could barely swallow.  So began years of my sister and me shouting in our own backyard pool since Silly Putty is the only plug that stayed put and prevented water from entering.  I fear my two will suffer a similar fate.  Upon seeing a friend’s son (age 6) tackle Nana/Papa’s pool with no floaties yesterday, Charlotte and Thomas opted to skip theirs.  I was not completely surprised Charlotte could swim a few feet with no help since I’ve seen her doing it underwater lately at the local waterpark.  But the shock came when she started belly flopping off the side, going under, coming up and still swimming to the edge with no assistance. 

Thomas started his own fearless water pursuits.  Wanting me to let go as he stepped off the pool steps and went under kicking with a big smile on his face.  He then repeatedly jumped in from the side and dropped down a few feet before I pulled him up.  All the while smiling and laughing.  So Charlotte is going back to private lessons when t-ball ends next week.  Hers were cut short last year as a mole removal on her scalp kept her out of water.  Thomas is the question mark.  He turns 2 July 31 and based on what I witnessed all weekend, I think he is ready to learn how to swim.  I would prefer a private lesson for him as well since there is no fear of  going under, holding his breath and jumping in.  Anyone know a teacher for 2-year-olds in the Cedar Valley?  How cool it would be to skip the floaties AND swim diapers next summer!

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 24

Growing up in central Illinois, we called kids who dressed punk “cornchips” and I have no idea why.  I was far from into holes in black tights and rainbow-colored hair, but my parents let me rock my share of interesting trends.  Two shoe statements come to mind… in 8th grade I sported yellow Chuck Taylor’s (you know, Converse high tops) with a mini-skirt.  And in college one year I wore black, Fila combat boots with everything.  This morning Thomas wanted to put on a firefighter raincoat he found in his closet.  Charlotte opted for the same light, flare jeans she’s been wearing so much the knees ripped out.  At 1 and 4, my two already push the fashion envelope and I’m cool with it.  My youngest step-daughter, however, pierced her nose and has more than one tattoo.  I’m not into it.  But I’m her step-mom, so my opinion does not count as much.  My sister wanted to wear the same sweat outfit every day in 5th grade because some boy had a crush on her and took notice when she stood out in dresses and curls.  My mom lost the battle to get her to wear all the beautiful clothes in her closet.  I’ve documented similar run-ins with Charlotte.  But today was the first time Thomas really expressed interest in trying something specific on.  I can’t see Dave being okay with him being a modern-day “cornchip” when he’s older.  Think Adam Lambert.  I know it’s all going to be interesting.  For now the wanna-be firefighter works.

Emelia, 20 months & Addison, 3

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 24

70-pound gain/55-pound gain

16-minute delivery/13-minute delivery

Carried high/Carried low

Girl/Boy

9 pounds, 2 ounces/9 pounds, 1/2 ounce

Week late/Week early

Nursed 7 months/Nursed 5 months

No stretch marks/Stretch marks around belly button

Sciatic nerve pain/Heat exhaustion

C-section/C-section

***Send me one of your favorite pregnancy pics to post.  Click here.***

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 24