It’s been one of those weird weeks where I vacillate between thoughts about what color to paint the living room to what kind of relationship I’ll have with my kids when they’re older.  That’s normal for me.  Some days I act like I’m in high school but reflect on current circumstances with the judgement of a 75-year-old.  No one ever really told me what I’ve always known–I don’t act my age.  It’s a reality of many blessings and occasional curses in that you frequently over think stuff but reason from a wise perspective.  Tomorrow marks the start of month 44 pouring my private life into this virtual journal.  I can’t imagine not writing things down since it’s become more than habitual–it’s cathartic and in some strange way keeps me grounded.  Occasionally I picture myself older, alone somewhere, reading this blog.  A paperback version, of course, as the first two years are already bound in a book.  I smile and laugh at the memories that come flooding back.  Material I would never totally recall all those years later as I’m prone to forgetting and repeating things at this point.  I don’t take the time to go back and rehash it.  Why do that when I’m already setting aside space in retirement to fully grasp how much I’ve embarrassed myself… but I’ll be okay with it all then because I’m mentally advanced enough to know that the older you get the more you allow yourself to be authentic.  That is something I look forward to.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 43

Her cake was a precise replica of her golf bag!

 Only when you have children do you get why people some times skip attending an event sure to be a good time… that is, if kids aren’t invited.  At first you plan to get a babysitter, then you weigh the expense for her and how tired you’ll be the next morning against the level of enjoyment.  And it may not be worth it.  Unless that rare adult invite comes along that INCLUDES people tween and under.  Such was the case for my friend Jenny’s 30th birthday party.  Not only were little ones welcome, they were directed to a table set aside just for them to decorate Mardi Gras masks with jewels and feathers. 

Then the UNI Panther showed up and it got crazy!  Thomas and Charlotte and a couple other kids were hanging on his every move, off and on the dance floor.  The poor guy(?) became a daycare provider for a good hour and Thomas burst into tears when he skipped out.  I’m guessing the person playing TC just realized why he/she needs to put off having children for a few more years… if at all.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 43

It occurred to me recently that I’ve never been without Dave or the kids a single night since we got married.  When Charlotte and Thomas are with my parents, Dave is with me.  And when Dave is in Washington state, I’m always with our two.  Honestly, I have never once thought about it being any other way.  No desire for a girls-only weekend or escape.  My refuge is with my family.  My weekend is reserved for them and any activity that can’t include Dave and the kids is one I’ll dread if it tears me away too long.  Perhaps it’s the many years of “me” time I experienced in my 20s.  I had a thousand free afternoons and nights where I controlled the remote.  Only my voice interacting with someone on the other end of the phone line to break the silence.  I don’t miss those moments because the joy I derive from the contrast–married life with kids–is so great, I would never trade it back.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 43

Note to fast food chains everywhere:  Do not include toys in kids’ meals that resemble rodents!  Exhibit A, the above pictured plastic piece.  Thomas thought it was pretty cool the thing rolls around on the kitchen tile.  Only he failed to pick it up from the floor and it was left in a little space between the pantry door and the refrigerator.  When I opened the door and caught a glimpse of it in the periphery of my right eye, I started flailing my arms and stuttering and collapsing in a way that was later described by Dave as the makings of some sort of attack.  Like a stroke or cardiac arrest or fainting that would involve smelling salts to bring you back to consciousness.  I can’t help it.  Of course I thought it was a mouse and, as you may recall, one moved in with us when we settled in to our new house just one year ago.  I am still not over it and this recent incident brought back all the pain and suffering.  No, I am not going to get an attorney to sue the restaurant that chose to stuff that disgusting brown and black thing next to a pack of fries.  But I did toss it in the trash immediately so as not to again upset my family enough to think Mommy was finally having that nervous breakdown.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 43

Two new lists I knew you’d want to see:

Top 10 Boy Baby Names of 2011    

Liam

Jacob

Mason

Ethan

Aiden

Logan

Noah

Jayden

Lucas

Joshua

Top 10 Girl Baby Names of 2011

Sophia

Emma

Isabella

Olivia

Chloe

Madison

Ava

Abigail

Lily

Emily

Source: Circle of Moms

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 43

Dave and I enjoy politics.  We watch televised debates regularly and talk about candidates and campaign commercials.  But outside of our interest in the South Carolina primary, this past weekend was consumed with The Wiggles.  Since Charlotte became a regular viewer of the Australian foursome’s TV show then Thomas became a superfan, watching or listening to every DVD and CD by the group we can buy is mandatory.  I find myself singing Wiggles tunes in my head.  Dave and I react to familiar ditties playing on the flipdown DVD behind our heads with comments like, “I love this song,” or “Sam is a really good singer.”  And that’s the subject that’s consumed us.  The Wiggles announced Greg  (the yellow Wiggle) is coming back to replace Sam.  Sam replaced Greg five years ago when health issues sidelined him.  Big drama has ensued now that it’s been revealed Sam was only getting paid chump change–out of a $25 million+ haul by the group last year alone.  What really set off fans worldwide–a coldhearted interview on Australia’s version of the Today show during which Anthony showed little care or concern for Sam after he spent more than a decade as a dancer and then full-fledged Wiggle.  Dave and I discussed the topic all weekend.  And searched for info online.  Thomas and Charlotte weighed in with their concerns about Sam’s wellbeing yet support for Greg’s comeback.  If you are now thinking Tara and her family are a little bit on the crazy side of the fence, you would be correct.  That’s what having kids does to you.  It makes you care about things that years ago would have never been on your radar.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 43

A snow day never unfolds at our house as pictured in a children’s book.  The kids did get to play outside–for like 5 minutes.  Because it’s always too windy and cold here to actually enjoy the snow.  I did have some hot chocolate ready for them.  But that was about the only idyllic touch to the morning as they were SO crabby.  One little thing goes wrong and they snap.  Thomas got a time out.  Sissy came close.  Mommy and Daddy, gratefully, got a long one when our neighbor invited the kids over for lunch and an hour of play.  I took a nap for 45 minutes since I got to bed at 1:20am.  Driving in to work I saw one mailbox knocked off its base, two drivers stuck in the snow and people bundled up outside to smoke.  Depressing trip, really.  It got worse when I ordered pizza for Dave and the kids over the phone… the guy said, “Thank you, Sir.”  My voice is not that deep.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 43

Despite life getting in the way… and thousands of miles… there are still people who walked with me through seasons of my life whose numbers are saved in my cell phone.  Distance and time have chipped away some of my friendships to the point where a birthday shout out on Facebook or Christmas card are the only points of contact.  But for the small group who always reciprocate my effort to stay closer, I take the time every few weeks or even months to connect with them more deeply.  Maybe, like today, it’s just a voicemail to let them know I’m thinking about them.  I did get a hold of Tanisha.  She was picking up her daughter from school and would have to call me back.  That’s how it goes.  We have other priorities now; yet five minutes in to a conversation we’re in college again sitting on the floor of our brownstone dorm room eating frozen yogurt delivered from this incredible deli up the street.  Some relationships deserve more than an occasional text.  Some times someone needs to hear your voice.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 43

Charlotte bounced in by my bedside at 7 this morning ready to complete her potholder purse.  I was dead asleep, but staggered out to the living room with her so Thomas (who was next to me) wouldn’t wake up.  Lying on the couch I looped all the edges around the second potholder then, still on my side, sewed both together with yarn.  I had to sit up to help Charlotte make the strap.  It turned out a little long, but perhaps if she ends up as tall as Mommy it will someday hang higher.  If these loom creations keep up, a trip to buy more of those fabric loops will need to happen.  Actually, a search online just revealed bulk bags of them for sale.  Crafting is so much easier when you don’t have to leave the house–or the couch.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 43

This morning I sat in my car trying to sew two eyes and a feather tail on Charlotte’s potholder chicken.  The loom and accompanying project book were a gift from Nana for Christmas.  And sure, I naively thought, the Loopy Chicken is considered advanced but the kit is designed for 8-year-olds and up so I should be able to handle it.  Essentially Charlotte made the potholder then I had to attach the edges with a special loop finish thereby allowing us to fold it over, stuff it with cotton balls and secure the whole thing in a triangle shape.  It was not as easy as the directions described.  In fact my fingers hurt a bit trying to pull the bottom loop through with the crochet hook.  But I got ‘er done so Charlotte could show the class during her share time today.  Tonight she/we started the potholder purse.  Lord help me.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 43