Merry Christmas!

I could claim to be going green, but we all know the truth. I just didn't have cards in me this year. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas; Happiness and Health in 2009. May you learn something about yourself through the eyes of a child.
Love,
Chuck, Maren, Ryan & Mac

Christmas is Coming

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house, EVERY creature was stirring...! Is Santa coming yet? Is he here yet? What if Santa thinks I wasn't a good boy? Yes ... that's it. NICE JOB crappy parents! Threaten your child so much with "Santa's watching" that he no longer sleeps through the night and wakes up at 12AM and 3AM to discuss his stress over Santa Claus. When I say discuss - I mean discuss as a 4 year old discusses at 12AM and 3AM - full on crying with no discussion at all. We couldn't be happier to see Christmas morning in our immediate future.

A Conversation ... with words!

I finally had a conversation with #2!

"Time to go #2."
"No!"
"Would you like to stay and color?"
"Ta!" (Yes)

He's getting better - much less frustrated - and really trying to use his words. Although he still prefers to use sign language with some rather than trying. "Thank You" is a prime example of that. He was Dr. No all weekend long ... "No! ... No! ... No!... " about everything. Mr. Right and I were trying to clear out a year's worth of junk on Sunday. We were hanging pictures and #2 ran off with a hammer that was as big as he was.

"#2, give the hammer to Daddy."
"No!" (and turns his back on us)
"#2, please share the hammer with Daddy." (Mr. Right works some magic with the share card)
"No!" (and runs around the bed assuming that he is now hidden)
Mommy approaches #2 to take the hammer away since visions of child falling on sharp end of hammer are making her a wreck.
"No! No! Noooooo!!! .............. MINE!" ... and scene. :)

Little Visits

We were in the middle of the morning drill the other day when #2 sounds off with an "AaaaaaaaaH". He's still not talking very much, so "2talk" is normal to me. But this sound was intended - it had a purpose - and it was very familiar. My Grandma, Frances Caroline, made the same sound - usually when she was slightly frustrated with something - like pie crusts that weren't quite cooperating ... or a gin and tonic that spilled. #2 made this sound in the exact same fashion - he couldn't get a Tupperware lid on its correct bottom (no, I'm not giving my baby gin and tonics). I notice moments like this every now and then and I like to call them little visits. Visits from the great-grands in heaven - taking a peek and checking in on their great-grandsons ... and reminding me of my favorite memories. Maybe our sounds are linked to DNA, but I prefer to remind myself of the extra (and necessary) support.

Birthday Boy

Happy 4th Birthday #1. It doesn't seem possible that four years have passed since our first night together. I remember waking up in the middle of the night to feed you and you were just looking at me through the side of the plastic hospital bassinet. I told you - you were the best baby ever - for just hanging out and waiting for me to wake up. Trust me, you made up for it later - never sleeping or chilling out at night time again for the next three years ... But now, look at you. Somehow you've gone from baby to little boy and I don't know how that happened. You've totally out-smarted me; you are an expert in manipulation. You are also very aware of others and what everyone is doing, how they are feeling, what's happening. Daddy and I have called you "the Mayor" since you were a few months old. As soon as you were old enough to sit up, you've been shaking hands and high-fiving babies at all public appearances.

Four has brought a whole new level of mischief into your world. You push the limits, usually out of curiosity. You like attention and go into overdrive when in the spotlight. You also know when the camera is around and then break out the silliness. It's been a long time since I've captured a "real" smile without bribing you in some way. You are unbelievably aware of "good guys" and "bad guys" ... and of course let's not forget the men ... Spider-Man, Bat-Man, Superman ... you're tight with all of them, although Spider-Man has a special place in your heart. You are FUN!! Even when I am so frustrated with the testing and negotiating, you give me a look and we both break out in laughter. Your left eyebrow has a little point in it that reminds me you're always up to something ... I now know your father at age 4. You're testing out every sport imaginable. We've tried Swimming, Golf, Gymnastics, Karate, Tee-Ball and we start Soccer this weekend. You DO ... all the time, and you do "it" all by yourself . If I try to help I get a long explanation about my role in the activity. For example, this morning you were pouring yourself a cup of milk. The carton was really full so you were very careful not to spill it all over the place, but having some trouble tipping it to pour. I tried to pour and let you hold the cup. "No Mommy, you hold the cup. I will pour the milk. Big boys pour the milk and you will just hold the cup." But there are still a few Momma moments left ... thank goodness. If you wake up before me in the morning you always sneak into my side of the bed and gently push me over just enough to get your body on the mattress. Then you lay there trying with all of your might to be still, but it just can't happen. Then you start to mother me ... you rub my hair and give me kisses and say in a really high pitch whisper, "good morning - it's time for breakfast." No matter what the night before brought that is the moment when I tell myself - commit this to memory ... breathe it in ... don't forget that these things happen. You are such a good boy and I am so lucky to be your Momma. Happy Birthday Peanut. Yes, I know you're a big boy now , not a peanut ...