Don't you love it when you're right?

C has been sick since Wednesday.  Poor little guy. :(  Unless we see a vast improvement tomorrow morning, we will be making a trip to the doctor.  I tend not to take my kid in at the first hint of sickness.  I prefer to let nature do it's thing and give his body a chance to fight it off.  And as I've been told by more than one doctor, the best indicator of the seriousness of an illness is one's behavior.  C, in spite of a low-grade fever and a nasty cough, has been playing and eating and drinking and generally just being himself.  So, I'm not extremely worried, but want to rule out anything that is actually treatable.  I won't ask for antibiotics just to make me feel better.  If time is what the doc says we need, then time it will be.  And as sad as his cough makes me every time I hear it I did not give him anything for it (much to the shock and horror of some)  I've read and heard (from credible sources) that those cold medicines don't do much good anyway and that they can be dangerous for children!  Well, not that I intended to buy any because my feet are planted pretty firmly on this one, but today at the grocery store I meandered my way over to the cold/cough section of the pharmacy.  Not to rub it in or anything, but what did I find???  Every single children's cold/cough medicine...Under 36 lbs...Under 4 years of age (both of which C is)  DO NOT USE!  Bam!  Like I said, my feet are firmly planted.

Operation Organization continued this afternoon.  Hall Closet-check!  C discovered the yard stick in there and actually found a use for it other than swinging it around like a wild man.  His expression is a little 'deer in the headlights' in this picture, but still pretty darn cute. He was cheesing it! 

We made chocolate chip banana muffins today.  Right after this picture, he abandoned the spoon for the good old dig-your-hands-in mixing method.  Good thing we're the only ones eating them. ;)

Hubby is bored.  I think he went to the mall 3 times today.  I know, right?  Sad.  And I thought the next two months were going to be long for me.

So much...

Mom: Ok, I'll see you when the sun comes up.  Night-night bud.  Love you.
C: Night-night....Momma?
Mom:  Yeah, bud.
C:  Do you love me so much?
Mom:  I do.  I love you so much.
C:  Mom?
Mom:  What buddy?
C:  Does Daddy love me so much?
Mom:  Yes he does!  Night-night sweetheart.
C:  Night-night sweet mom.

Melt. my. heart.

Field Trip Friday

Home Edition

Both kiddos are a little under the weather today, so instead of heading out, I decided to set up some water-play in the kitchen.  Lots of bowls, cups, spoons, water, bubbles, and toys.  They both really enjoyed it...it entertained them for over an hour.  Even after we cleaned up B was asking to "Play wa-er."

She actually thought it was funny when he started squirting her.

See?

Can you see the mischief in his eyes?  Yeah, he was on his way to dump a spoonful of water on me!

These last two are my favorite pictures from the morning!

Bird watching

I'm not the only one enjoying the new set-up in our living room.  This is how he entertained himself while I got ready this morning.

Later we looked out the window together.  There were a ton of birds pecking around in our yard.  I said, "Look at all of 'em!"  C said, (in one of his low 'character voices') "Whoah.  That's a-lot-a birds."  Love my silly boy!

A good day

I'd say our new toy storage situation is working out quite well...

...wouldn't you?

I knew being able to put our feet up on it would make it multi-functional...but putting our feet up on it while enjoying some peace and quiet.  Now that's a bonus. :)  Just to clarify, this was totally his idea, he thought it was great fun, and I did not use the ottoman while he was inside of it.  For those of you who don't ever read what I write and just look at the pictures (husband!)  Oh, wait, he won't read that...anyway, I'm glad I can explain things so you don't get the wrong idea (ie. call child protective services on me)

We had a good day today.  I'm glad.  It was needed.  C is at a tough age anyway, and not having Daddy here seems to have made things escalate.  He is such a crack-up and we really have so much fun together.  But, boy is he ever putting my patience to the test.  My mom remembers my brother doing this big time around this age.  And from what I gather, hubby's younger days were somewhat challenging as well.  I miss being able to just say, "I need a break" and escape to the bedroom while hubby enforced the consequences for bad behavior and dealt with the hysterics.  I don't like having to be the bad guy all the time.  But, I know it's important to be consistent.  And I really am trying my best.  I hope it's good enough and these 3 months don't cause irreparable harm.  I had a go at the sole caregiver thing for about a year and a half when hubby only got to see us on the weekends.  I think I did alright then.  I actually think C has turned out pretty great so far.  He's smart, independent/adventerous, sensitive, confident, etc, etc...that's a mom talking.  But, you know, there are those other traits...the ones that need to be channeled as we moms like to say.  Those traits seem to be dominating my little three year old's demeanor these days.  Back to the point-I'm glad we had a good day.

Yesterday C refused to take a nap.  He then went down at night time with very little fuss and promptly at 8:30.  This, my friends, was amazing.  He had recently fallen into the unfortunate habit of not going down for his nap until around 2, then sleeping over 3 hours!  You can imagine how not tired he was at 9 when I was ready for him to be in bed.  He would sometimes tantrum and stall forever...not going to sleep until after 11!  And like clockwork he'd be up by 7 each morning.  Hence the need for a 3 hour nap later.  Of course, I expected him to be up at 5 in the morning ready to go...but low and behold...he slept until 7:15.  I thought that worked out so nicely that today I suggested he skip his nap.  He wasn't allowed to watch any shows until naptime.  And while B slept, he had movie time, I got some chores done, checked my email, and even read a little bit.  I was hesitant to kick the nap because I do enjoy the quiet time.  But, I think not letting him watch a show in the morning and having to wait until then might be a very nice solution for us.  I was worried that he would be super cranky this evening, but he seemed fine.  He was fast asleep by 8:30 again!  Didn't get out of bed or make a peep at all!  (This is when we cue the hallelujahs) :) 

We went to the library this morning.  The mean librarian was there.  The one with the permanent sour look on her face who does not even acknowledge our presence when we walk in, except to look upon the two small children in disgust.  Seriously woman?!?  Kids not your thing?  That's fine.  Can't manage a "hello?"  Ok.  But, could you please refrain from looking at us like our sole intent is to burn all the books in your library and bulldoze the building?  I don't let my kids pull books off the shelf, they don't run around crazy, we clean up the toys before we leave, and I'm always pleasant to you.  Just trying to instill a love of reading in my child...thought you'd be happy.

B has an ear infection so she didn't feel the greatest today.  As displayed by the blood-curdling screams that came out of her mouth anytime C even got near her.  She was much more pleasant after her nap.  And I even got a picture of them playing trains.  I love it when they actually play together and I can just sit down and observe their little world rather than intervene in it by playing referee.  I think in a few more years these two will be excellent playmates!  Right now, the place just ain't big enough for both their toddler attitudes. ;)  I'm off to read before bed...because it's only 9:30 folks...and C is sound asleep. (Cue singing angels, again.)

The things he says...

C says some of the funniest, most random things sometimes.  I am hoping to do a better job of writing them down.  So, hopefully there will be more posts like this in the future!  You may not find these as funny as I did at the time...sometimes you just have to be there.

C:  I was a little baby and then when I grow up and I will be a big boy.
Daddy:  You know buddy you have to make money and work when you grow up.  What are you going to do to make money?
C:  I goin' to buy stuffed toys and baby B and I going to buy a squeaky toy for baby B.

Oh, no the lion cub can't get back.  We have to screw up their mission!

(In the bathroom, obviously!) Mommy, who took your penis away? 

(In a public restroom) Oh!  Look!  Baby Jesus did give me a penis! 

C: But, why don't you have a penis Mommy?
Mom:  Remember, God only gives them to little boys.
C:  Does all the girls at church have penises?
Mom:  No.  And please don't ask them that!
(Can you tell gender differences have been a hot topic around our house lately?)

(After unzipping my coat)  Now you will be the coldest girl ever!  Ha, ha, ha!

Mom: What's your favorite animal?
C:  Um, I like the tigers.
Mom:  Brianna, what's your favorite animal?
C:  Her likes pigs!

C: Why did the sun go down?
Mom:  Remember, the sun has to go to the other side of the world so the people that live there can have a day time too.
C: But why?
Mom:  Because that's how God made it so we can all share the sun.
C:  But I don't want to share the sun.

Next time you will be mad at Papa.

(After getting told no)  Now I very sad.  (This is usually accompianed by the cutest little pouty face and then him running away to his room) 

(After bonking his head)  Oh no.  Now I have to go to the doctor.  I be back.

(During a tantrum on the way out of Target)  No Mommy!  Don't push me down the stairs and break my arm.  Don't do that again.  (Nice, right?)

Mom:  You're going to be a good boy in your class at church today, right?  Do we throw fits?
C: No.
Mom: Do we share with the other kids?
C: Yes.
Mom: Do we listen to our teacher?
C:  Oh, I do love my teacher!

Mom:  Do you want to go to the zoo today?
C:  I will go to the zoo.  You stay here and I will drive myself to the zoo.

Come here little fella.

I Christopher and I go toot.  (That one is actually a song and it's really funny.  We've probably encouraged it a little too much with our laughter.  You'd have to hear it.  Maybe one day I'll figure out how to upload a video on here)

Remember when I was a baby in your tummy last night?

Operation Organize continues

This morning a certain little person was up and ready to go way before I was.  I told him that Mommy doesn't get up until the sun comes up.  (Is that so unreasonable?)  So, I gave him the choice to either go back to sleep or play quietly.  He, of course, chose play quietly...but shockingly-that's exactly what he did!  At least I think that's what he did.  Heck, I don't know, I was sleeping. ;)  He came back in my room, looked out the window to confirm that the sun was indeed up, and then told me to "Come see what I did."  Uh-oh.  Insert 'sigh of relief.' 

Continuing in the spirit of Operation Organize, I decided to sort through some of C's toys today.  I also decided to spend the rest of my birthday money on something a little more attractive than the "chicken coop" as hubby likes to call it.

Behold our new toy storage...

Love it!

After I tackled that I felt like rearranging the whole living room.  I think that must be 'my thing' when hubby's away.  As I was pushing the couch across the floor I remembered doing the same thing with our bed when he was in Iraq.  I was already at work when C woke up from his nap.  He and Papa had a conversation that went something like this.

C: Hey!  Why'd that couch move over there?  Who did that?  Who moved that couch?

Papa:  I think your Mommy did.

C:  No, mommy is not strong enough to move that couch.  I did not help her.  Mommy is not strong.

Papa:  Well, I didn't help her.  I think she did it all by herself.

C:  No, I don't think so.  I don't think Mommy was strong enough to move that couch.

Hubby is doing well.  A little bored.  A little lonely.  But, liking his new job and the area.  We think he might be able to visit the weekend of the 13th and 14th.  Here's hoping.

Missing Daddy

"Momma, I want to go to Maryland and live with Daddy.  Please, please."  Break. my. heart. 

Nostalgia

In an effort to make this the most (ok, the first) organized move of our married life, I have embarked on Operation Organize My House.  Won't it be so much easier to pack everything up if I've already sorted through it all?  Sadly, that has never happened in the 6, count 'em 6 times we've moved so far.  So, for our 7th move as a married couple, I refuse to pack the "box of crap" into a new "box of crap!"  The kitchen is done.  Really done.  "All the cabinets and drawers included" done!  And I just completed the computer desk.  A task that included browsing through unmarked cd's to see if they needed to be saved or tossed.  I got all nostalgic looking through our wedding pictures...care to join me? 

We have a professional version of this one that I absolutely adore!  My grin is a little less goofy, and hubby looks a little less like he's sucking my blood.

They must've told the girls to "look natural."  I love that Jess chose the 'thinker pose.'  And if the photographer told you to do it Jess, I apologize...either way, you make me laugh. :)

I loved my cake.  Pink roses...everywhere!

The bride's best man and the maid of honor! 

Look, it's my 16 year old sister with my 12 year old husband.  Seriously, how young do they look?!?

My girls.

One of my favorite reception moments...my brother and Mambo #5...magical.

Don't be surprised if I take you on another trip down memory lane in the near future.  I just looked through some awfully cute baby pics of C.

Wonderscope

Last night, my sister-in-law (B's mom) called to invite us to Wonderscope Children's Museum.  I was a little hesitant, as this is the same place we took C when we first moved here, spent at least $20 to get in, and carried our screaming toddler out after 15 minutes of super fun times.  In his defense, C has done better each time we've gone, but I still have residual trauma from our first visit.  Anyway, we were meeting them there and getting in free with their membership...nothing to lose, right?  C really impressed me.  He did really, really well.  Only hollered a little bit when I forced him to go to the potty (after much dancing around and holding himself!) 

This was in the "market room."  I swear, the kid did not acknowledge me once the entire time we played in here.  He happily entertained these two ladies with his pleasant conversation and wooden pizza making skills.  He kept cutting the pieces up and saying, "here's a piece for you, and a piece for you, and a piece for you."  Guess what?  Momma didn't get one darn piece.  Honestly, I do love that he is such a social butterfly!  Just hope we're able to keep it in check when it comes to the ladies. ;)

I love this picture.  Earlier, B's mommy mentioned that she usually avoided the "craft room" because there were...gasp...markers in there!  We went in anyway, and after B sat down and literally covered herself with sand (even pouring some on her head once) I'm pretty sure her mom would've loved to be playing with markers!  They were just having way too much fun that we didn't dare stop them.  Especially since it gave my sis-in-law and I a good 15 minutes to actually have a conversation.  Something you moms know is rare when you take your kids on a playdate.

I only found a little bit of sand in C's shoes and socks...I wonder if B stayed as clean.

Doubling up on those vaccinations.

Wonderscope=Success! 

Bedtime this evening...not so much.  Oh April, hurry up and get here.

Field Trip Friday

Price Chopper Edition

They sure look excited to be going to the grocery store...

I really needed to get groceries, so a field trip it was.  Suprisingly, the kids had fun!  I'm sure the cool race car cart and the free chocolate chip cookies helped.  I know they helped me!  Shopping in relative peace while they honk their horns and eat their cookies...ahh.  Walmart is cheaper, but pretty sure the experience at PC is worth the extra change.  How adorable is B in this photo?  I love the little shoulder shrug she is doing...so cute!