Toddler Kitchen DIY! Merry Christmas!

A couple of months ago, when I started thinking about Christmas, I decided William (our 2 year old) would really love a little kitchen. He is always at my knees when I am cooking, and sometimes can be kept occupied by a box of spoons and pans, etc. But how much better would it be if he had his very own little kitchen to play with!

Of course, I wanted to make it myself! Knowing my boys, those plastic ones wouldn't last long, and just aren't as cool, (or as boy friendly). I wanted to make a kitchen that was built for boys, sturdy, fun, and with everything a kitchen needs!

I will take you through some pictures to tell the story of how our lovely little kitchen came to be.

After searching craigslist... and a few contacts falling through (can't rely on strangers, I guess... ha ha) we found this table for $20. It was a little more than I wanted to pay, but it was the perfect size for this project, and it worked out for us to get it.

Step one: we cut a hole for the "sink."

Here is what it looks like with the sink in the hole. We found this metal bowl at the thrift store, and made the hole just barely smaller than it. I like the effect!

Note: keep those extra wood pieces in mind for the last picture I am going to share with you.

For the faucet:

We looked at several options, including a real faucet, but all were too expensive, even at thrift stores and used places. This is a plumbing part. I thought it looked like a faucet... especially after we spray painted it metallic silver! (which works really well in a paper bag, by the way)! It won't move like a real faucet, but it does the job!

The oven door!

I was so excited to find this perfect piece! It was on a coffee table of some kind looking like it was headed for the dump, outside a thrift store. Yep, they were going to toss it, and gave us the whole table for fifty cents! I love a good deal! I kind of wanted to keep the original hardware, but that little knob thing wouldn't open and close like an oven, and I thought would be too complicated for a toddler. So it had to go.

After taking off the hardware, I taped the sides of the glass, then taped a paper bag over the glass to prevent any paint from getting on it.

Here's the fabulous silver metallic spray paint job!

Back to the table itself... we sanded it, and decided to spray paint it a plain white. Boring, I know. It was tempting to do a real pop of color, but we agreed on white. It is classic.

I have to say, it looks pretty great all spray painted!

Here are all the parts layed out before we put them on. We found most of them at the Habitat for Humanity store for very cheap. Two sink knobs, two stove knobs, the oven pull, and three hooks for the side to hang things on.

This is just a close up of where things are going. I found it helpful to mark each thing, so hubby knew where to drill. We worked as a great team on this, which made it even more exciting and special!

Here is a close up of the top before the faucet it on. I traced a small bowl to get the burner sizes, and then used some grey paint to give it a swirl design. The knobs are on. I left them a little unscrewed so that they can remain moveable- to turn "off" and "on."

Ta-da! here it is all finished!!! The front view! Doesn't the door look great?

the sink shelf has some storage space so I put a few bowls with play-food on it.

I had to have a magnet board on the side! the kids love playing with magnets, so it seemed the perfect thing to add! The hardware store sells small sheets like this one for pretty cheap... $4 or $5?

I made a few little pot holders to go on the hooks out of placemats from the dollar store! And I love this little cream cup that we found at the thrift store! So cute, right!

And now, if you remember those extra pieces of wood that I referenced earlier... this is what we used those for! The hole that was cut for the sink, left us with the pieces, and I just saw pizza instantly! A little red paint, and some white puff fabric paint, and you've got a cheese pizza! I added some mod podge just to coat it. I think it all turned out pretty cute!

I cannot wait to give it to our little William on Christmas!!! We also got a few extra pans and wrapped them up for him! Now he will have the perfect little spot to play.

I may have to post a few pictures of him using it!

"Living Things" Day One

     Our weeks of themed summer fun have kept us going.  We've been learning new things, experimenting, and tapping in to our deep creative side! This week (and possibly next week), we have chosen the theme of "Living Things." It's quite a big umbrella to tackle, so we are starting small and working our way up.
     Yesterday, Monday,  we learned about plants, what they need to grow and flourish, and some of the other living things that help them... bees.  We made our own flowers using toilet paper roll centers, and some construction paper, and bees using paper and craft sticks.  The boys loved learning about a bees "job." They got to practice is for themselves by playing with their own creations... pollinating flowers!

 Our next project was planting our very own tree!  This may have been their favorite part of the day!  They got to dig, make piles of rocks, and get really, really dirty! Daddy did most of the heavy lifting and digging, but our little guys were still a big part of this living thing!  Now we will have the privilege of watching it grow in front of our house for years to come!

Out and About With my Boys!

I may have just out-done myself today. We left right after breakfast on a mission to find ducks to feed a bag of bread to.  The backstory is... Grandma got the boys these sandwich cutters that make their sandwiches into stars or hearts, well after they do this brilliantly fun creation there is leftover crusts and pieces.  I couldn't let them throw those away, so all week we've been saving the extras for just such an occasion as an early morning duck feed.

The first park we went to that would have had ducks wanted me to pay $3.50 just to park! Um, no thank you this is suppose to be a free activity! So we went elsewhere to find free ducks to feed.  There is just something exciting about watching the boys throw bread at the ducks and geese.  I guess it's their reactions, their excitement, and thrill of it all. Owen is braver than I'd like him to be sometimes. the last time we did this he got bitten, this time he nearly did again because he just gets so close and so excited! Bonus... we also saw a little ground squirrel.  It was so cute and peeped it's little face up at us for a minute before going back into hiding.

When our bread bag was empty we headed for the playground! It was just early enough to be rather warm, but with a nice breeze- ahh what perfect timing! Owen made a new friend, as he usually does.  They were pretending to be different versions of Superman... no surprise.  Elijah used all of his energy up right away and wanted leave early and "get a smoothie." Hah... smoothies are suppose to be a luxury, do they not know this? Maybe the huge pregnant woman has gotten too many in past weeks and led them astray!

We left the park and I tried to be patient with our new car set up.  Owen is now in the middle and must get in first from Elijah's side.  the plan is for Elijah to help buckle him, and then Elijah to buckle himself, leaving me with only the baby car seat to put in on the other side. It's been a week now with this arrangement, and each day gets a little better, but they still have a hard time being "nice" to each other when they are squished right up side by side.  I must also add... the car has never been cleaner! Martin put in new carpeting last weekend before he installed the baby car seat, and it looks brand new all over!  I wish you could see it, for I know it won't last long!

I decided to be the really cool mom today and take them out at Carl's Jr.  okay I really just wanted one of their yummy turkey burgers... but with that and a playland everyone would be happy! And we were! Of course the oreo shake was a fantastic bonus! they played and played, climbing the structures to the rocket ships and slides.  I just sat and listened and smiled, enjoying these last "easy" days before I have newborn to tote around as well.

On the way home I pondered our options... knowing they would automatically want to watch "Spiderman and his Amazing Friends" their new favorite show... when we got there.  So we went to the library! they each chose five books while I looked through a magazine... that alone was amazing!  They still don't understand the difference between buying and borrowing, because Elijah kept asking if we could buy every book.  I guess it kind of looks the same... taking things up to a counter and leaving with them. However I never drop anything off through a slot at Target to "return" it.

Just before turning onto our street, we saw a few kids with a drink stand and a big hot pink sign. I reached in my purse... only a few dimes.  We pulled over and I cleaned out the dash board finding just enough for both boys to get something at this little stand.  We parked across the street and walked over.  I let Elijah handle the coins.  They were so thrilled about this! Owen chose a popsicle and Elijah bought an ice cream sandwich. Both were nearly melting, so they had to eat quickly.  Owen, our poky eater, wasn't quite quick enough and lost part of his on the ground, which produced instant tears... and red drips all over his white shirt. But I didn't have any more change left, or I may have gotten him another one. Luckily he is a short lived cry-er. We wiped off the sticky hands before getting back in the car and driving around the block to our house.

The next hour was spent reading all the library books and drinking ice water on the couch.  Lovely.. lovely day.  Of course as soon as Martin got home and "claimed" them, I fell asleep right where I was on the couch! It felt good to get and do some things with them though, and I know it was better than lying around the house all day! They really are wonderful little boys and I can't believe God blessed me enough to take care of them plus one!

If I was really fantastically on top of things, I'd post pictures... but yeah... not quite there.

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.

A Perfect Saturday

It's Saturday night and I am soaking my feet in lavender Epsom salt/hot water, and treating my aching back to a heat pack.  Even in shorts and a tank, I'm sweating! At least it gives some relief though! We had a very busy day, but it was so much fun.  I love it most when we are all together doing things, just me and my family.

The morning started out as usual.  The three year old woke up first, toddled into our room.  I scooped him up the best I could and let him lay next to me for a few minutes.  then in came the five year old... daddy claimed him, and for a couple sweet moments we were all snuggled in bed.  then "I'm hungry," came from the mouths of the sweet little boys who don't know about Saturdays or sleeping in.  It wasn't even seven yet, but I rolled myself out of bed and offered to make breakfast since Martin was the more tired out of the two of us.

We like to have hot breakfast on the weekends when we are all together, and since tomorrow is Father's Day, and I won't have the sanity to make an awesome breakfast before church in the morning, I decided to make "Father's Day Breakfast" today.  It was simple, but wonderfully delicious... crepes and fresh fruit hit with a dusting of powdered sugar and a squirt of lime juice!  Mmm! Who knew I could make crepes? Elijah cut the tops off of the strawberries with a butter knife and Owen helped me mix up the batter.  There were lots of yummie noises going on at the breakfast table.  Then I surprised them and piled on a swirl of whipped topping... I love seeing their amazement at the little things.  "wow, dad... look what mommy put on mine!"

After crepes and fruit we loaded into the car for an appointment (Martin's eyes), Farmer's Market, and errands.   The boys and I waited in the car at the while Martin went in for his appointment; we sang and drew pictures for forty minutes!  Amazing right?  Oh yeah and I had M&Ms, which helped.  At the market we ate a roll, bought four strawberry plants (because Owen grabbed an extra one, and I decided four was better than three anyway), and then the pregnant woman needed another snack on the way out, so we left with cookies too.

Planting the strawberries was fun.  I let the boys dig... of course a favorite hobby of theirs!  They took turns assisting me, and we got all four plants into the planter pot on the back porch.  Its the perfect height for little fingers to reach when picking time is here!

Then we had "make your own snack plate" lunch. They love this because it lets them feel like they are in charge.  I put bowls and plates of things on the table like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, crackers, bread, grapes, strawberries, pineapple, and other snacks.  They load up on whatever they want!  Owen made a design with his carrots that he called an "anzigon" or something close to that, which I think he meant hexagon, but it was cute.

Daddy finally mowed the lawn... but I wouldn't let them "help." It scares me too much to have them in the yard when he is mowing because he can't hear them, and he's very focused on getting it just right.   However, they were very pleased to help with the painting job!  While I took a sit down break they painted boards in the driveway which Martin is turning into shelves for the baby room.  When I went to check on them the had paint all over them! faces. neck. arms, hands. Thank goodness it wasn't in their hair!  then they spent the afternoon tackling each other in the front lawn. their giggles were definitely the best part!

Owen skipped his nap due to all the fun, and ended up looking very droopy eyed riding in the cart at Joann's Fabric.  I'm positive he would have fallen asleep sitting up that way if Martin hadn't decided to carry him the rest of they way. I bought some fabric that I"m going to make some very clever book holders out of (blog on this to come).  I didn't end up getting the iron-on letters I wanted because they were priced incorrectly. I wanted to spell out "the littlest brother" on a onesie for William and if the marked .25 per letter would have been correct, I could have done it, but it turns out they claimed the letters were $1.79 each! Ridiculous! Must find another way!

After dinner Owen came out of his room in his swimming shorts and announced that he was going to run in the sprinkler. (Martin had turned it on for watering).  then Elijah jumped on the idea, "Wait for me, I'm getting my stuff on too!" they still had an hour before bedtime, so I went a head and let them! Why not, right?  They needed a bath any way to get all that paint off, how much worse could a little more dirt do? They had a ton of fun! Did I mention our sprinklers are rigged up to the outsides of the fence?  Yeah. It's like a sprinkler system above ground. 

It's just the beginning of many fun summer days!  I wish every day was a Saturday.  We all really miss "daddy" during the weekdays.  He is the most wonderful dad I could ask for, for these boys of mine. I love seeing him in them... how caring they are, and thoughtful, just like their daddy.  I can't wait to give him his Father's Day gift tomorrow! I'm also making a true "Dad" kind of lunch for him and my dad- Burgers of course!

Love on all of those wonderful dads tomorrow! Let them know how special they are!

Big Boys and their Ways

Owen's first night sleeping on the bottom bunk! I can hardly believe it. I went in his room and looked at his little toddler bed... it looked so empty and weird without him in it.  We actually weren't going to move him in until the end of May, but things never quite go as planned.  We got the mattress last week, and of course both boys were super excited about all the newness of it.  They kept getting up on it and taking turns trying to reach the top bunk with their feet.  The next night after we got it, Martin put sheets and blankets on it without me knowing, so when the boys and I got up... it really looked like a bed! Owen claimed it right away and layed down on it, saying, "I'm going to sleep in here." That night we gave it a try. (two nights ago). They talked and giggled for a while, but then our easy deep sleeper- Elijah went right to sleep as usual and Owen was left chattering to himself.  I don't think he expected this. He started crying later on, we came in and reassured him. He got out of bed after that... and wanted to go back to his "regular" bed. No harm... we tucked him in and he slept the night away. I'm not sure if he's going to want to stay in the bunk bed every night, but we'll make a slow transition if we have to.  ( I love pictures of them when they are sleeping, no matter how old they get)!

   The BIG INVENTION:

We actually don't know what it is yet, but Elijah has been collecting things for weeks claiming that it is for his "Big Invention." I gave him that dryer sheet box to keep all of it in.  He would ask to keep all sorts of weird things like pieces of this and that that I was going to throw away. "Well, what are you going to do with this?"  "It's for my big invention." It got a little out of hand. He really started hoarding things and then left it outside and it was pretty nasty. When Martin found it he asked Elijah to clean it out and keep the stuff that wasn't ruined or garbage. This turned out to be a very entertaining task. Owen joined in and they were fascinated with the rolly pollies that had made a home out of the box. Elijah really loved the rolly pollies... it was kind of cute.  He kept showing me how it would crawl on his hand, then they wanted to feed it...etc. The big invention has now become a pile on Elijah's art desk... (okay I secretly threw away the really unnecessary tiny pieces of paper that were driving me crazy- he loves to cut things up, just because).

Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeders!

These are so easy and fun to make with your kids!

First: you take a toilet paper roll punch two holes in it
         attach a string, so that it will hang
         let your child spread peanut butter on it
         roll in birdseed
         hang it somewhere and watch the birds together!

            We just hung them on our fence where we normally watch the birds at mealtimes anyways.
I did a few with Owen too, but he refused to really do any of it.  He was afraid of getting peanut butter on his hands... go figure! But he'll gladly take apart a peanut butter sandwich and lick it off his fingers! For this project he enjoyed picking up the birdseed and burying the covered t.p. roll. I take what I can get... as long as he's willing to get involved with something.

So that's what we've been up to, me and me silly lovely boys!

Mostly Pictures

The boys were really sad that they didn't get to keep the balloons.

So here are the blue balloons representing "boy."

Serious thinking time at the park.

You can't see the kite, but he sure had a fun time flying it!

So I wanted to add these pictures to the last blog. I thought you all might enjoy them. Some of them are of our BIG gender reveal, some at the park playing with the boys flying kites and at the playground. Owen was cracking me up with his serious mood that afternoon. I was just grateful that he wasn't super grumpy from skipping nap, but he climbed the faux rocks and layed on the top with this surly expression. I went over and asked him what he was doing. "I thinking," he said. (but the way he says thinking sounds kind of like there's an "s" in front- sinking. Then I asked where his smile was, and he said, "My smiles are all gone away." It was so funny and cute because it wasn't like he was mad or upset, he just wanted to be serious on top of his rock.

The "Hugest" Brave!

Today's Highlight's...

The things they say:

Owen's latest thing is whispering in my ear, or grandma's, or daddy's, "Do you love Jesus?" He's very serious about it too, I just love it! Then today while he was sitting on the potty(side note: yay he's sitting on the potty!!! We made a new potty sticker chart today with dinosaurs on it. He loves putting Elmo stickers on. But the potty training has been torture! He fights me almost every time and sometimes I end up chasing him down with him very upset, but of course he is very capable, so I don't feel even a little bad about that. He's just stubborn. Only most days I don't have the energy to do what this long process takes. So... we are slowly but surely seeing progress in that area). So while on the potty he started making up his own song, which he does pretty often, both boys do probably because I do that all day long! It was so cute he was singing, "I love Jesus, and he cares for everyone!" and smiling and kind of giggling about his clever little tune!

In one of the books we read today the little girl says, "I am brave as brave can be," and every time we get to that part of the story, both boys make their own comment about how brave they are! Owen tonight said, "I am the hugest brave!" and Elijah said, "I am braver than anyone ever, well a little bit."

The way they think:

Elijah picked up this Star Wars comic book I think from Grandma, which is very long with lots of words and most of it he really wouldn't understand anyways, but he is always begging me to read it to him. Well I always say, that one is too long, let's pick something else. Tonight he put up a good fight for it, so I said I would read a few pages. He was still very disappointed that we didn't get to read all of it, so I told him, "you know when you get better at reading you will be able to sit up and read the whole thing all by yourself at night just like mommy reads at night." His eyes kind of lit up. Then I told him that I had just finished a book that was about four-hundred pages and he said, "wow, mommy, that's even more than daddy's measuring tape goes up too, and I know because I was using it today!" That just cracked me up! The way he thinks of big and small and scales things.

Their first Happy Meal

So as usual, I was STARVING at the exact moment Martin got home from work and I hadn't made any dinner. We got everyone in the car because we needed to go to the hardware store (details of this will definitely be a different blog) We are re-painting Elijah's room this weekend. So across from the hardware store is McDonald's. Why not? They have a play place, the kids can run off some steam... great! Martin ordered them happy meals... we've really never done that. I guess I'm a little cheap sometimes and just get them the $1 whatever, wherever we go out. So we brought our tray out to the play place and the best part was watching them open their happy meals! Everything they took out of that bag brought on excitement. The funniest to me was, "oh wow, I got my own napkins!" I loved watching them be so full of joy... it really did make them feel special. They almost looked proud sitting their, sipping their own chocolate milk with a cheeseburger in the other hand! Of course not everything got eaten because the other huge excitement was getting to play in the play place. To make this possible for Owen Martin had to buy him a pair of socks. (did you know that they sell socks at Mcd's?) You should have seen him... he is such a crack up! First of all he was wearing bright green Toy Story Jammies... and sandals. Yes, sandals. He's been trying to wear last summer's sandals for weeks and I keep telling him, "they don't fit you." (and well, it's kinda freezing outside)! But he was determined today. Right before we left, he proudly announced, "look mommy, they still fit, see!" He was so proud and he had done it all by himself, Velcro and all, and technically all I had told him was "put your shoes on," so I let it slide... they were wearable. Then you add the Scooby Doo hat that came from his Halloween costume from a year and a half ago. Are you getting this image? I should have taken his picture! I think he made everyone smile, though. He waves at everyone wherever we go, such a friendly little guy... just like daddy! He really is the "hugest" brave!

"I Wanna Hold Your Hand"

Is there a way to do this "mom" thing in slow-motion? Owen and are are listening to the Beattles (lullaby version- I know, cool right?) while he is making his boy noises, playing with army trucks, jets, cars and, army guys. I love the way the morning light brightens up our living room. So far it has been a fairly pleasant morning. I'm even drinking my fav. Toffee Nut latte from Starbucks, which I got only because I had to stop at Target. Did you know you could use Target gift cards at the in-store Starbucks? Yep. Nice!

So last week I bought a Luna bar there, just to try it out because I was starving... Chocolate dipped coconut...Mmm! Anyways, I've been craving them all week, so today I bought a whole week's worth so I'll have some for snacking on the go! Incredibly delicious, really! (fyi- if you haven't heard of Luna Bars, they are great bars for women with calcium, folic acid, vitamin D, iron, extra protein, and fiber. My other favorite is the Lemon Zest one)!

On our way in, Owen told me, "I don't want to get in the cart this time, I'll just hold your hand." Since we were only getting a few things, I agreed. And surprisingly it was a very pleasant and easy shopping trip. I'm crediting it to the fact that I only had one little person to look after. This would have never work had Elijah been with us. It seems I can't get through a trip to the store without stern looks, and a few good threats. You know what I'm talking about... you say disruptive child's name with corresponding look of death, the next offense comes with this kind of phrase, "If you don't stop that I'm going to..." And if you actually remember everything you came into the store for and leave without a headache and all of your purchases, it's a miracle!

However, managing just one child is an entire different experience. Owen and I walked hand-in-hand in the store. He actually listened and did a very good job for a three year old at not touching everything. yay! I'm so thankful that the kids aren't spaced too close together, because I get to have moments everyday with them one on one, which is such a blessing. When Owen is napping, Elijah and I get our time together. Lately we've been really working on reading. He is doing really well with A Beka's "Handbook for Reading." It's so fun seeing him get excited about his own achievements, especially reading! He's blending and reading short vowel, small words! He's also learned a few sight words! I'm so proud of him!

One of the funniest things lately is the way the boys imagine things. Their new favorite thing is "what if." It's usually something really bizarre like, "Mommy, what if my fork was as tall, or even taller than our house and it could knock over buildings and huge monsters!?" or, "What if I was a big dinosaur and I smashed our house and ate everyone?" They are so funny! These ideas just come out randomly, but I welcome them because who doesn't love to imagine what might be possible, and they just make me laugh.

An Afternoon Nap... and ramblings

I can't believe both of my boys are asleep right now... at the same time in the middle of the afternoon. On this rare occasion I feel like I should be doing something more valuable than blogging and looking around online. Elijah almost never takes a nap. Valentines Day at school must have really worn him out. I had a special bear sent to him with candy and a note and he is cuddled up with it on the couch asleep. I found him that way after I had put Owen down for his nap.


It's a nice break. I haven't even made lunch yet, which reminds me there is nothing to eat anyways. I'm in some kind of weird cycle. We have no ingredients to make anything, yet going to the grocery store feels overwhelming right now, so I keep putting it off, maybe grabbing something here or there or eating out. Not good. I know. I need some real food. Today I was wishing Jamba Juice had a drive through. Who really wants to lug two kids inside for a smoothie which they will probably beg for as well? Plus Owen had already fallen asleep in the car before we got home. Uhg. I didn't realize it was going to be so challenging being pregnant the third time around.

Everyone knows the first time is pretty easy. You have no one to worry about except for yourself. You can eat right, rest, and do all of those "by the book" sort of things. For me, baby number two was more challenging of course because I had a toddler to take care of and resting only happened when Sesame Street or other cartoons were on. But still no one was in school yet, and I stayed home all day long. Now things are drastically different. On school days, which I've now limited to three days a week since I just couldn't handle it and it's only pre-school, we are here and there and the morning feels so exhausting. This morning I cried so much I didn't think I would make it out the door. I don't remember being this emotional the last time. I'm also at that weird stage where I don't look pregnant yet, just chubby. Really, it's not belly people, it's baby! Then again, I haven't exactly refused cookies, cake or ice cream recently.

Thursday is my first appointment with my midwife! yahoo! I can't wait to see her again. She delivered Owen and I had a great experience. Now I'm about 12 weeks and ready to hear this little ones heartbeat!

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."

When Neurons Collide

Do you ever wonder what your mind looks like from the inside? I don't mean the physiological parts of the brain, but if you could walk around inside your thoughts, what would they look like? I imagine my mind like a wide open space with clear blue skies and lots of plush green grass for running and never getting winded. Lately though I feel my thoughts are feathers blowing around in the wind open space and I can't quite catch them when I want to. These feathers keep me up when I should be sleeping; sometimes they lead me on a bunny trail from one incomplete thought to the next. I forget what I was about to do, or I experience that "I know I was on to something... but what was it?" kind of thought. Could it be the "pregnancy brain mushiness," or am I just wound too tightly?


I've always liked daydreaming... getting lost in that open space where anything can happen. I guess sometimes it's a way of not facing reality, escaping the things we don't want to deal with and replacing them with something more pleasant. Reading fiction is kind of like that too. I love getting lost in a book, temporarily not being the "responsible" adult I am suppose to be, and following someone else's journey through love or heroism.

Lots has happened this week, so I'll do a little summing up.

This week's "notables:"

Parenting is a lot more trial and error than I ever expected. Although, I had my own personal breakthrough with Elijah I think, yesterday. He doesn't respond to a lot of traditional shall we say, punishments. Sometimes he reminds me of a little adult. So I have found the easiest way to handle his misbehaviors is with natural consequences, and a calm understanding voice. I will admit to yelling, which gets everyone nowhere. So, yesterday Elijah decided to write on the bathroom wall with a pen. I didn't notice it right away, but when I did... I calmly asked him if he had written on the wall, he admitted it. Amazingly I didn't over-react, but told him he would clean it up. Guess what, he did with no problems! (note: mix baking soda with a little water to make a paste and scrub with an old toothbrush... I have found this to be the best method... and yes this is not his first offense).

Owen is turning three next Saturday! I can't believe he's not my baby anymore. We're planning a circus themed party for him... it will be lots of fun! He's so excited, anytime we talk about it being his birthday soon, he has to say, "My Circus Birthday!"

I hate for this to be a "notable," but I also can't go on without mentioning my Grandpa's passing last Sunday. It still doesn't seem real, and I'm not sure how I am suppose to feel about it. No one can really prepare you for this kind of thing. It is hardest seeing the pain my mom is going through and not being able to make her feel better. She has always been the "rock" of the family, the reliable, responsible and I hate that she has to deal with all the arrangements as she is mourning. A few things about my Grandpa...

He loved strawberry ice cream. He knew how to cook anything in the microwave. He was an amazing craftsman. He used to make intricate Christmas ornaments for us shaped like 3-D octagons. He also perfected many woodwork projects, my mom has some of the bookshelves that he made in her house, that are beautifully carved and built. He kept his "temple" healthy, going for walks every day and surprising lifting weights! He always cared about our health too, and our interests. When I wanted to take a correspondence course for writing Children's literature, he helped me pay for it. He also helped Martin and I purchase the house we now live in. The bank required our debt to income ratio to be lower than it was, meaning we had to pay off one of Martin's student loans. Yikes... Grandpa came through and covered what we couldn't. He always made sure the people he loved were taken care of. What surprised me most about him was he way he took care of my Grandma all of these years even though they have been divorced since my mom was thirteen. There are so many things I appreciate about him, and he will be missed.

Death sometimes makes us think of the way we should be living. I know one of the best things I can do is show gratitude in every way. It is a small thing that has a great power. For we are not simply flesh and bones, nerves, and neurons, but we are souls that need nourished. When I think about others as souls around me, it changes my heart and my perspective. I know that I am blessed beyond what I deserve and showing gratitude to others is a small way to bless their soul and to transform mine a little more each day. If I started my list of gratitude here, it would reach to the moon, but I do plan to tell some people how much they mean to me. It's important to say things out loud even when it feels awkward and corny.

I am probably most thankful for my loving hubby. He helps in so many ways. Especially now, when I am such a mess... I cry at least once a day because of the pregnancy hormones, and he just holds me and tells me it's going to be all right. We've worked out some teamwork with the housework too, so I don't feel so overwhelmed. He unloads the dishwasher before he goes to work most mornings, and I load it up during the day and run it every night. He tries to help with whatever else I need too. He is so wonderful, and I know God sent him to me! Thanks honey for putting up with me!

"The Mystery of The Blue Spots"

I wish I had a picture to show you just how ridiculous my load of laundry looked yesterday when I went to take it out of the dryer (but of course the batteries in my camera are dead, and I just can't manage to remember that when I am at a place that sells batteries). As you might have guessed already, nearly every item of clothing was covered in blue spots.
That's curious, I thought. Surely I would have noticed this when I loaded the dryer. What could it be? I considered paint, since we had spent the afternoon finger painting, but that would have washed out (considering I use the best quality natural soap there is). :) Did someone leave a pen in their pocket? Nope. I'm pretty sure that would have come out too.
Elijah was helping sort through what had spots on it and what didn't. We got to the end of the load with only about five things not being covered in blue spots (one of them being Martin's batman sleep pants- he really is just a boy in a man's body)! Then Elijah said, "look mommy the whole dryer is blue!" When I bent down and looked into the dryer I saw the evidence... the only clue to this silly mishap... a lonely blue crayon wrapper waiting to be discovered.
Instantly it all became clear to me, as I'm sure it is coming to you now. The crayon must have melted due to the heat of the dryer, plastering everything with blue wax. I soaked and boosted, and washed two times. The spots faded, but there still there! Ughh! Most of the load was Elijah's clothes, many of his collared school shirts and khaki pants! Thank goodness for hand me downs!!!

We made a new rule: always check pockets for crayons, or whatever else might be waiting to ruin the laundry.

LadyBug Park

Today we collected ladybugs in baby food jars, read stories in a tent (in our living room), and made lots of roads for Elijah's cars to drive on.

The ladybug adventure wasn't quite what I had planned. Both of the boys love ladybugs, but we don't see too many over here for some reason. Last week, however, we saw hundreds down town. I'm not kidding- hundreds! We were strolling Sherman Avenue just for something to do (if you know the area, there's this little sitting park between some of the shops, with benches). So on the park benches were all these ladybugs, in the cracks, and on top of each other; they were everywhere. So I told the boys we would come back with jars and collect them for our roses -which are getting eaten and are also covered with aphids (ugh, just typing the name gives me chills- yuck those are some nasty little bugs!) Ladybugs are known to take care of nasty little situations such as these, so you see just how perfect my solution is? Free ladybugs!

Looking outside I knew it wouldn't be the pleasant stroll we had last week, with the sun in our faces, but now that school is out, my general response is: "why not?" So we went with our jars, walked the few blocks from the parking lot to the park with our teeth chattering. Luckily I had an extra coat in the back of the car for Owen to wear, or he would have frozen... for some reason daddy's often forget that kids still wear coats even when it's not snowing. Anyways, we got to the park are it appeared to be ladybug-free. No speckles of red covering the benches. But then I saw one, hiding just on the edge. "Elijah, I see one!" I hollered. He ran over and nearly squashed it trying to pick it up and get it in his jar, but it got there just the same. Then we saw another, and another in the bush just next to the bench. That little bush had several crawling on the underside of it's leaves. Now Elijah was excited. "Look, daddy," he said. "Mommy and me found a whole bunch!"

We spent the next twenty minutes scouring the place for scattered ladybugs playing a good game of hide-and-seek. We eventually came out with about fifteen ladybugs, well... fourteen and a half really since the once Owen picked up didn't quite make it.

They were so proud riding home with their jars full of ladybugs. When I asked Elijah if he wanted me to put his on the floor, he responded very quickly, "no! I want to keep them on my lap!" Owen kept unscrewing the lid to his jar and letting the ladybug crawl just to the top, them he'd put the lid back on. Once it got out and started crawling on his hand, I think it kind of freaked him out. "Mommy, it's on me, it's me!" he said.

All Fourteen and half of them are now safely living in my rose bushes, hopefully doing some good eating! I'm not sure if that will be enough to save them, but it was worth a try and it sure was a lot of fun for Lije and Owie!

The tent we put up on Monday. This really surprised them. Everyday we've read stories in there, which is my favorite part, but I think theirs is just going in there and being silly. They kick the side of it, bring flashlights in there and toys and cars. It's like there own little hide-out. But when it's story time, they listen. Mommy brings out the special stories, the ones that I keep on the top shelf that I don't want torn or stepped on, the classics, like, "The Five Chinese Brothers," "Where the Wild Things Are," and "Love You Forever." Okay, I guess I can't really call those "classics" per se, but they are in our house anyways. All three of those I remember vividly from my childhood, and they are cherished!

Note: I just wanted to point out that just because some of us are ready for the sun doesn't mean you can't still have a little fun!

Off to see the Baby!

What a beautiful day! I can see real bumblebees outside my window doing their tedious job- amazing! Did you know, scientifically speaking bumblebees shouldn't be able to fly? Their wings are too small for their large fuzzy bodies, and yet here they are a miracle right in my very own yard!

I'm leaving in only a few short hours to see the newest little miracle that joined our family nearly three weeks ago... my nephew - Xavier! I'll be staying with my sister for nine whole days helping with the new baby, entertaining her two year old, and probably doing some cooking etc. I'm so excited about the trip!

It will be hard to be away from my own little ones, since I've never been away this long before. They don't quite understand that mommy is going my herself to visit aunt Jenny and cousins, but they will be in good hands. I know they have needed some daddy time, so this will be the perfect opportunity for just the boys to do some stuff together.

Today I have let a few things slide that I usually don't -all just because I'm going to miss them. Why not let Owen skip nap-time and soak in some extra sunshine? Vanilla pudding for lunch? okay. This morning I snuggled with my two year old baby while we watched sesame street. He actually wanted to sit on my lap! Why not...

Right now the two of them are playing outside (and no one is even screaming or snatching toys)! Elijah is showing Owen how to skip and teaching him about bugs. They really are the best of brothers. It always amazes me how they work so well together. Usually Elijah is the leader, being the oldest, but every once in a while Owen will decide they ought to do things his way. Earlier they were playing "follow the leader," and doing a pretty good job of it. At two and four, that's pretty impressive! They are both in the common phase of "watch me!" And I love that God has given me that as my job, simply to "watch" them.

I will miss my kind-hearted boys, their curiosity, their silliness, and their hugs.

Wish me luck...
I'm on my way!

Dear Mom, Thanks!

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." -Abraham Lincoln

Dear Mom,

Thank you for the little things. You are the one who taught me that a little thing can make a big difference, simply by your thoughtful example. You never pointed out, "this is how you make someone feel special," you just did it, and many many times I got to be on the receiving end of your "little things." Sometimes it was a card left in my doorway so I'd find it when I woke up. Other times it was remembering that skirt I'd pointed out and loved and surprising me with it. And sometimes it was choosing the kind of cheese I liked instead of the kind you like.

Thanks for treating me like me and no one else. This is an important one, and something that you understood better than most parents, I think. You are good at making me feel like an individual and always have been. Thank you for loving me for me.

Thanks for teaching me how to do my own laundry and make my own lunch, and for letting me stand on the chair in the kitchen so I could watch you make pancakes. When they are covered in little bubbles, that's when you flip 'em!

Thank you for listening. You probably didn't want to hear all that I bombarded you with over the years, but you sat and you listened. You kept my secrets and didn't make me feel silly about them.

Thanks for strawberry milk and donuts. (those were some of my favorite mornings- just us on our way to school).

Thank you for not giving up on yourself. When you graduated with your teaching degree, I knew that I could do anything too. I also know that you can do more than anything, sometimes I catch you doing the impossible.

Thank you for lots and lots of hugs. I've always been someone who needs them in abundance.

Thank you for teaching me to read, and for reading with me at home, and taking my education as a first priority. I love books because of you, and I love learning too.

Thank you for giving me chores and teaching me responsibility. I'll never forget "The confiscation drawer" where left out toys got sent to live a long and lonely life. Of course I had to keep asking you to say that big "c" word just so I could remember what the drawer was called.

Thank you for worrying about me -in the middle of the night when I coughed, or when I was out with friends too late, and when I moved far far away after a boy and you had to let me.

Thank you for taking the time to french-braid my hair, and for teaching me to paint my nails from left to right so I wouldn't smudge. "practice makes perfect!"

Thank you for your creativity. I don't think I've ever spent a day bored in my life. You taught me how to be resourceful, and to use everything for good -waste nothing whether it's an attitude or an apple.

Thank you for loving my daddy, and showing me how a wife should treat her husband.

Most of all, I am grateful for your faith, not that your faith is my faith, but that your God is my God and I know Him because of you. You led me to the foundation to build my life on and that is the greatest gift of all.

Naturally, I could never fit all I want to say, or all that I am grateful for to my angel mother, but it's easy to say I strive to be like her. When I found out I was going to be a mom five years ago, I looked to my mom for wisdom and the love that she is always so willing to give.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM! and to all other mothers everywhere- let's celebrate who we are and who we are striving to become!



This is a cute little story I found called: When God Created Mothers
http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/421248

An Easter sort of day

Today was a good day. The weather co-operated for the big Easter egg hunt (...thank you God)! This was the first year that Owen actually participated in the egg hunting. Though he didn't seem to care that he only got one egg. There were hundreds of kids and I think he just loved being a part of the excitement in the air. For most of the time he looked around stunned, and the rest of the time he was trying to run of out of arms reach of mommy. Last year he wasn't walking yet, though he still enjoyed some treats, and the year before that he was only a couple months old. So, yay for Owen's first Egg hunt!

It finally felt like spring was going to "stick" this morning when we went outside. I let the boys run around the yard with their Easter baskets before we left for three reasons. First I wanted pictures of them before anyone grumped out, second they had plenty of energy, and thirdly, we had extra time to kill due to us all being so excited for this wonderful day.

They chased each other in the grass, and practiced their Caribou calls (I'm sure all of our neighbors loved that)! This came about from one of their favorite movies "The Polar Express." There's a part on the movie where thousands of Caribou are blocking the train tracks and the conductor pulls the engineer's beard making him screech and scare the Caribou. This is their favorite scene. They love imitating that screeching sound as loudly as they can!

After the hunt we went grocery shopping, then came home and had a picnic in our front yard. We all soaked up the sunshine hoping and wishing that it will stay forever!!! OF course, the boys didn't stay on the blanket long. After a few minutes, socks were thrown and bare feet were running through the prickly green grass and the air was full of high-pitched laughter. Martin stared falling asleep (since he'd been up all night working the night shift). I just looked at my family smiling. I wish every day could be like this. Carefree and sunny, how blessed I am.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Easter holiday. Count your blessings and remember the true reason we celebrate this weekend and everyday of our lives- Our risen Savior!!!

The Blessing

My house is quiet and nearly clean, if you can ignore my counter clutter and little piles here and there. I do anyways. The laundry is done (of course it's not folded or put away- yuck- who wants to do that) and the dishwasher light says "clean." In my book that is beyond success for the day.

Sometimes I wonder why time exists, some say it's God's way of keeping everything from happening to us at once. However, there are moments when everything does happen at once and time has nothing to do with it. I think that's why I can enjoy these moments so much, these moments of nothingness. I can let out a satisfying "ahhhhhhh" because now, this quiet, this simplicity, is the exact opposite of my life just an hour ago. It is God's yin and yang. You can't enjoy your blessings if you are never more than a foot away from them.

Yes, children are a blessing from God. We all know that, everyone tells you that even before you have kids, and especially when you are pregnant. Oh yes, then, little old ladies at the grocery store rub your belly and tell you all about the blessing. God Himself includes that special phrase in the Book. And in our hearts we feel it the day they are born, and every day after that, I imagine until the day we die.

But sometimes, our blessings can feel heavy, overwhelming even, and we just need that extra time away from them to realize how special they are. You know what I'm talking about. Sometimes it's just a few moments to yourself, being in your world again where people speak in your language(... nobody says anything about poo). Maybe a little coffee break or visit with a girlfriend. These are the things we need in our life to keep us sane, to keep the balance, and to rejuvenate.

Then there's date night... a whole evening sometimes even an overnight stay where you get to fully engross yourself into the you, you used to be. (note: if this hasn't happened to you for a few months... it's time... you need to admit to yourself that you really are going crazy - a night wearing girly stuff- high heels- dangly earings.. will rock your world!) This is more of a warning than a note- GET OUT OF THE HOUSE...OTHER PEOPLE WILL WATCH YOUR KIDS! I'll even watch your kids, and I might not even know you. Believe me, it's good for everyone's health.

So, we experienced an entire weekend kid-free last weekend. And I have to tell you, something amazing and magical happens when you are away from them that long. First of all you remember that they aren't the only thing that defines you, but second of all, you really your love for them multiplies, something you thought impossible. How could you love them more?

Friday I was rushing around trying to get ready. I needed to pack there stuff, my stuff, shower and look decent,so I used the trick card and put in a movie. How else could I get it all done? Of course Owen lost interest in the first ten minutes and came wondering in to see what mommy was doing. "You changing your clothes, mommy?" "Yep" "Did you get pee pee in those pants?" "no," I said laughing. "oh, poo?" I laughed harder, and scooted him out of the room. Of course his main frame of reference would be one of those two things for needed to change clothes.

When we dropped them off at my parents house, they were ready to see us go. "See ya water," Owen said opening the door to let us out. "bye, bye!!!" They were ready for some Papa and Grandma time! We left easily, I'm not one to hover, but by the next morning, I couldn't help wonder about them. They're my babies after all.

The car was so .... what was it... something felt... oh yeah, quiet. There were no screams, squeals, or giggles. No food, toys, or punches being thrown. (okay my kids don't really throw punches, but they do try to grab whatever body part they can reach on each other in the car). It was different, it was the "ahhhh." But then came the "awwww... I miss 'em."

When Sunday came I was more than ready to see them. When we saw other kids and babies at the church we went to, I was wishing they were there. I knew they'd be disruptive, and bouncy, just like usual, but they're my disruptive bouncy kids, and I love them.

I almost always use the back door at my parents house, the front door seems to formal. This time as we climbed the porch steps I could feel my anticipation rise. I saw Owen first, through the glass door, sitting on the couch. He was wearing Papa's WSU hat, one of his favorite things to do. In that instant my heart was in two places at once. It scooped him up before my arms could reach him and wrapped him in the love that is continually and forever his. I shot across the room to claim my boys. They are wonderful. My love has multiplied. They are my blessings.

Being away from them did rejuvenate me, not because they are so difficult, but sometimes we need to be away from the things we love so we don't take them for granted. I had an overwhelming feeling that is hard to describe when I held them both in my arms again. I was so happy that they were mine, like... oh yeah, I get to do this great thing every day with these great kids... I get to be A MOM!

Backseat Chatter

One of my favorite times to talk is in the car. I’m not sure exactly the reason, maybe it’s that my listener has no escape route, or that conversation just seems to develop because there is little else to do. (of course, my husband would much rather sing along with the radio and sees talking as a complete interruption, whereas to me, it is the exact opposite- the singing being the interruption). However, when you have kids, car rides move on to a whole new level.

Most of the time I still rather enjoy our many car trips. I like listening to my kids’ creativity, their questions, and wonderings, and most of all their giggles. At two and four, they have entered a whole new world of “brotherhood.” Part of it I saw coming long before now- Elijah conniving ideas for Owen to join in on. I see it everyday more and more how they fight with each other, compete, share, love, support, and stand up for one another. It’s a natural and beautiful thing. Sometimes it’s hard for me to just let them be. But I know the days are coming when they need to figure things out for themselves, fight their own fights and not have mom step in and decide the winner.

Most of the time their behavior is very laughable. I feel like the camera crews are going to jump out of the pantry any minute now- my life- the true reality show. Tonight on our way home, it was just the boys and I, I was telling Elijah that he had no school tomorrow because it’s spring break, so it’s going to be a “stay at home with mommy day.” Then Owen added, “and daddy” (he’s really been missing daddy lately).
“Well actually we are going to meet daddy at the tire store in the morning, so you will see him for a little bit,” I said.
“Why is daddy at the tire store?” Elijah asked.
“Well he’s not there right now, but he will be there in the morning.”
“Why?”
“He needs to get the snow tires off his car, and have the tire guys put regular tires on.”
“oh… are they going to keep the tires on the rims?”
At this question I paused for a millesecond… are you old enough to ask that? How do you know about rims? And then I remembered who I was married to, and obviously this would have come up in casual four year conversation between daddy and son.
“Yeah, I think they are going to keep the tires on the rims because both sets have their own rims.”
From there we talked about why we didn’t need snow tires anymore, and why mommy’s car didn’t need them either, and that daddy’s car was better… for some reason. I guess because daddy would be in it. And then the silliness started. Owen took off his shoe and threw it at Elijah who then threw it on the floor. “Owen threw his shoe at me!!!” “Don’t do that Wijah!” “That’s a time out Owen!” Elijah said in a silly voice. Then they started giving everyone and everything a “time out.” “Time out to the window!” Owen exclaimed. “Time out to the floor!” “Say time out to the road Owen, to the road!” Elijah was hysterical, for some reason this was their funniest game yet, and my backseat was full of rumbling giggles all the way home.

So, even though some of the time all I want to do is get out of the car and away from the screaming and crying and chaos, most of our car trips leave me feeling glad we were together. It’s a little piece of who we are packed into a little bitty space (although I must say it looks a whole lot bigger after cleaning out the half a foot of junk that used to be on the floor)! It’s one of the few places the kids are buckled down, forced to be still, giving us the opportunity to show them the world.

No More Pull-Ups!

For along time it has felt like we would never be done buying diapers. It was just one of those things that you always need and when they go on sale you buy double because you know the next month you will still need them. Owen may still have a few months to go, but I think we are nearing the end of his diaper days, and Elijah is officially out of Pull-Ups!!! >yay! happy dance!!!!<
About two months ago I decided, okay it's time for this kid to stop costing us fifty cents a night just for peeing on something. But what approach to take? Martin suggested getting up at 3 or 4 to take him to the bathroom in the middle of the night... are you crazy?!!! No, I was not up for that. So I introduced a modified version. "Let's try just taking him to the bathroom before we go to bed." It took a few weeks to get the hang of it, on both sides. Sometimes I still forget, and sometimes he still cries.
He is such a deep sleeper that it really surprises him to be woken up. Most nights he is just a limp zombie using me as support to tramp to the bathroom. It's kinda cute actually. I've begun to enjoy going into his dark room, hearing those deep snores, seeing the shadow of a peaceful face... and after the job is done I get to do my favorite part- tucking him back in kissing him on the forehead, and saying a second "goodnight." Tonight his hair still smelled fresh and clean from his bath... how did he get so big?
For a while I was doing a lot of laundry. He would wake up in the early mornings wet and crying. But now after weeks of practice and a sticker chart the plan seems to be working perfectly... except on those nights when waking him up to go, escapes me. Our next milestone is for him to wake up on his own... that will truly mean potty trained freedom!
I had no idea this would take so long! This will make some of you laugh... While pregnant with him, I read lots and lots of parenting and baby magazines. I came across an article about potty training; the writer told how each of her three children had went through it differently and the last one just decided to do it on her own one day. The idea seemed easy. I knew at that point that all kids do things their own way at their own pace, for I am living proof of that (it took me the longest to learn everything from walking to how to ride a bike), so I thought this potty training thing would be more natural. I thought I was well prepared simply by reading a two-page article. Of course as he got closer to the appropriate age, I read books, asked his doctor, and made the usual efforts. But it sure has been a long long road to success.
And now that Owen is in the beginning stages of it, my insides are cringing, fearing I'm in for yet another long journey of messes, and laundry, and never quite being prepared enough.
But on the upside... trading buying Pull-Ups every month for taking Elijah to the potty at 10:30 every night- totally worth it!!!