Predictably Unpredictable

How can I still be surprised at the unpredictability of my life?  Elijah and Owen fell asleep on the couch today around 4pm which never happens... ever.  But can be explained- they were up extremely late last night for fireworks, smores, and sleeping in a tent in the backyard.  This however doesn't mean that they slept in, oh no.  They still came through the screen door very chipper at 6:30am. So, I knew the crash would come, I just didn't know when.

(side note: I wish I could capture my belly on video right now!  William is doing his
sea monster thing, making my belly move in unnatural ways like an alien possessed watermelon)!

Martin came home to a nesting wife, and for once it felt like I could actually get something done because the big boys were still sleeping on the couch! I filled the diaper organizer with the one small package of newborn diapers I bought today (knowing William will most likely only need these his first two days, after which he will move right into the size one diapers because I only have very big babies).  I cut tags off of things and put other things in piles of this and that. I smiled ecstatically at the scrapbook art I made of William's name and added a few greyish-brown bows.

Then, I got hungry... and for some reason there was nothing to eat... again.  Honey went out for pizza... again.  Oops. Nesting wife apparently can't also be nurturing, cooking housewife. He came back with Chicken garlic/ olive and pineapple pizza and cheesy bread!  Bless that man! I contributed a salad.

Of course the very late nap of two boys meant a longer night. They were still full of energy by nine. We took a walk around the neighborhood after dinner, then I left them to wrestle and run with daddy in the front yard while I snuck away for a cool shower. When I got out... They were in their room, daddy asleep in the rocking chair.  This is actually pretty typical.  He often falls asleep before they do if he is in charge of the putting to bed portion of the evening. He pretends otherwise, but it's hard to miss a zonked out dad, and hyper kids enjoying it.

I thought I would get to watch a movie. Hah! Every ten minutes one or both boys came out for some life altering reason... hugs, kisses, water, potty, more hugs, other complaints about sleeping. At this point Martin moved to the couch and fell back asleep, leaving me up and down, pausing my non-kid movie, taking one to the potty, getting the other a drink, opening a window, turning on the "the moon lamp." At 10pm, Owen came out for one last daddy hug and Martin accidentally whacked him in the neck because he didn't notice Owen standing there- which instantly brought on unexpected tears and absolute need of consoling.  Then Owen asked if he could sleep with daddy on the couch.  I gave up... my sleeping  partner, my movie, relax time, what else could I do? After all, I'm pretty tired too.

For some reason I remain open-minded, hopeful, optimistic even about how the days will go.  Maybe tomorrow they'll sleep in. Probably not, but a mom can dream.

No More Monkeys Getting Out of Bed!!!

It's nearly nine and both boys are in bed. It took a lot tonight to get them there, not really because they are difficult, but because I lack the needed energy and patience it takes. Today was Owen's third birthday! Wow what a big boy! We had a lot of fun, but I am thoroughly worn out and Martin, my love isn't here to rub my feet. (yes, he does that on a regular basis- I know spoiled). I didn't make any dinner... no one mentioned needing it. We watched the new Winnie the Pooh movie that Owen got for his birthday, and I snuggled down on the end of the couch with them and dosed off here and there.
Oh yes, I almost forgot- before that there was bouts of weepiness... what is it about being pregnant that turns me into this irrational cry -er? I felt bad that the boys had to comfort me. Owen kept saying, "It's okay mommy," and offering me different favorite stuffed animals that were sure to "make me feel better." Surprisingly, Elijah was less sensitive than usual about be crying. It was kind of like... oh yeah she does that... now let's watch our movie.

Owen had a late nap due to the party, and with no dinner of course was hungry after the movie ended at 7:30 (half an hour after regular bedtime). What could I do, send birthday boy to bed with an empty tummy just because the thought of making any food turned nauseated me? Nope, not allowed... although he settled for snack-ish things so I was satisfied. I had his teeth brushed, potty taken care of, story read, song sung, and boy tucked in a little after eight. Then I thought I hot shower sounded nice. And it was! However guess who was waiting by his door for me when I came out? yep silly monkey number two! Back to bed, one more song, okay make it two... and another bathroom trip, since at this point I am encouraging all pleas to go potty, and a search for winnie the pooh to snuggle with.... Then very calmly I said, "goodnight, I love you, If you get out of your bed again I'll have to give you a spanking."

The house is quiet now. Not in a comforting way, though. The balloons from the party keep lightly rubbing or tapping against the wall from the vent blowing air on them.

If you were wondering how Elijah got to sleep... well he's got the routine down. He gets to look at a book on his own while I sing and tuck Owen in. Sometimes he falls asleep even before I get to tuck him in, but he is my big helper. And he's great at following the rules we have set for bedtime.

Those silly boys keep me smiling. Sometimes even when I want to be mad at them I just can't. Like when I went back in Owen's room after my shower and he kept playing with my hair and asking me questions about it. Part of me wanted to tell him to stop talking so he could go to sleep, but the other part of me just wanted to listen forever to his little inquiries. "How did your hair get like this? It's spiky. Did you pour water on it?" then he pretended to pour water on his head. "I made mine spiky too."