Thankful

Thanksgiving is always a special time of year, but this year it was extra special. #1 turned four on Thanksgiving day and is innocent enough to think that the turkey, cranberries, stuffing AND the two-story spider-man cake was all for him. We celebrated with our southern contingent - which was a good time as always. #1 got a bike from his parents for his birthday. We should have learned last year when he was underwhelmed with his like-a-bike. He opened the packaging and declared, "this bike is broken; it has no pedals!" This year, it was the real deal and he brushed it off just the same. It's tough being a parent! Hours of searching for the perfect present and wham - no love. ... and so begins the search for the perfect Santa gift.

Our added Thanksgiving bonus this year - my sweet niece JoJo finally made it out of the NICU in Portland and is settling in beautifully with the rest of her family in Eugene, OR. JoJo was born with VATER association and after 3 surgeries and healing time she's well on her way. I couldn't be more thankful for that. The Ronald McDonald house took excellent care of JoJo's parents while she was fighting away in the NICU. Regardless of your thoughts on our plump population and BigMac's responsibility for that, this charity does it right. Remember them in your holiday donations.

Nothing Like Fall

We enjoyed a holiday from work and school on Veteran's Day last week. The boys got their very own rakes (and shovels for snow in the coming months ... I'm hopeful) and helped me pile up the leaves on our back patio. Then all craziness broke out and it was "bury me" ... "again" ... "again" ... "again!!" Fall is most definitely here (nevermind the thunderstorm and tornado warning we had over the weekend ... and snow flurries last night)!

It Happened Today

I knew it would happen one day, but didn't know when ...
#2 has been taking the brunt of #1's pummeling for a long time now. We had a long, busy day and he got a flu shot ... apparently that was enough for the day. I was fixing dinner tonight and turned my back on the boys (they were playing in the kitchen together ... one had a "fire shooter" which is a "shooter that puts out fires" so I'm told; two was wearing an orange hard hat and trying like hell to be included) and I hear this high pitched scream. I turn around to find #1 frozen in shock and working up a good cry. #2 is looking at me with a look that is priceless. In the words of Mr. Right ... Rut Ro. #2 bit #1 square in the back of his shoulder. He left a good set of teeth marks and everything. I'm not sure if this was #2 being tired and cranky, or finally asserting himself and saying enough is enough. One this is for sure ... the gloves are off.

Finally - A Girl!

I couldn't be happier to report the boys have a new cousin - a beautiful baby girl born 11/04 in Eugene, OR. JDB weighed in at 6 lbs. 13 oz. and is 21 inches long. I am told she "looks just like [her brother] when he was born." Let the PINK purchases begin! Auntie M has a girl to spoil rotten. :)

Here is big brother and baby sister

Things That Go Bump

The clocks are rolled back, but the rest of us are still full steam ahead on the "old" time. I guess it'll take a little while to get settled into "new" time. Last night #1 woke up at 3:15 AM. I hear his feet hit the floor and zoom across the hall and my room. He went potty and I walked him back to bed - proud of him for getting up to go to the bathroom. Tucked him in, tucked me in (smile). 7 minutes later ... Zoom! Standing over me again ... "Mommy, I'm a little bit scared." Walk back to his bed, tuck him in ... tuck me in (note to self how good my bed feels). 4 minutes later ... Zoom! Standing over me again (WHY do they not go to their father's side of the bed? EVER????). "Mommy, I keep imaginationing monsters." I read somewhere that I'm not supposed to say things like "Monsters don't exist" and I am supposed to do things like look under beds and prove there is nothing scary in the dark room. So as we walk into #1's room ...
Do you think there is a monster in your room?
Yes.
Did you see one?
Yes.
Should we look for it - maybe under your bed?
Mommy, monsters aren't real. I told you -- I keep imaginationing monsters. If I stop imaginationing monsters then I can go to sleep.
Ah, right.
Tuck him in ... tuck myself in. So I sat there for a minute trying to understand why he needed me at all ... he did have everything figured out all by himself ... when, Zoom! Here come the feet (the profanity is flying in my head)... I sat up in bed and said, #1 "go back to bed!" and he did ... and that was that. But what IS that?

Funny (to me) things about #2 these days ... he's definitely learning how to manipulate. Most of his words start with "D" and all sound very similar to DAD ... DA-DA ... DADDY ... Mr. Right loves it. The only thing in the "M" world was Maaaa (more .. not Ma, as in me ... momma). I rarely get Ma-Ma. This morning though, all of a sudden ... "Mommeeee?" and of course I made a big fuss. For the rest of the morning everything he wanted was asked in his own way - finished with a high pitch "Mommeeee?" I could not resist.

A Little off the Back

After being bald for months, #2 finally has a mullet and gets his first haircut! I'm happy to report he's still "fuzzy" - even with shorter hair.

Happy Halloween

Love Spider-Man and "Bat" Man! Let there be days of sugar high!!