Bring on the Pink!

My dear friend and college roommate (the one who wanted a Suburban full of hockey playing boys) was a hostess with a whole lot of pink most-ess last weekend, and had a "pink party" for me. I was spoiled rotten and there were "No Boys Allowed!" This makes it feel frighteningly real that life will soon include a high-pitched squeak that isn't my own. Do you think this will balance out the pirates, trucks, trains and balls?

Our Backyard Gardener

Moving last November has brought so many good things - it was worth the growing pains that came with the transition for the boys ... and the grown ups. There are still things to do before we are truly settled, but the list is much smaller and there are just better ways of spending our time together. So I'm trying to let go of the nits and embrace the joys.

After the snow melted and we cleared our yard for the great swing-set project of 2010 we met our neighbors behind us, Mr. & Mrs. G. They have lived in this neighborhood for a very long time ... and Mrs. G. ... I'm pretty sure I remember this right ... this house is her 4th house in the same 2 mile radius in 70ish years! If you want to know what's happened in this neighborhood ... or this crazy city, she is your source.

Mr. G. is a wonderful gardener and works in his garden every day. And since the boys met him this past spring, there have only been a handful of days when they haven't gone looking for Mr. G., and looking for some work in the garden. They planted string beans, cucumbers and "hot peppers for daddy" which mingle with what Mr. G. had already planted ... spaghetti squash, zucchini, tomatoes and lots more that I can't remember. They've also done some good dirty work ... digging, working the rotor tiller, watering, setting friendly traps for critters that are eating all of their hard work ... and LOTS of picking these days. Today is not unusual - they brought home a 1/2 bucket full of string beans and a full bucket of cucumbers. My Grandma Betty's cucumbers in brine recipe has never seen such use! Mr. & Mrs. G. make a family recipe with their cucumbers, too. They have wonderful dill pickles (check out that pickle jar in the picture!) and bread & butter pickles ... PERFECT for the pregnant, pickle-loving, momma that lives next door. Not to worry though, I haven't ever considered them with ice cream.

Mr. Right and I both grew up with life-changing relationships like the one the boys have formed with Mr. & Mrs. G. It has been bittersweet for us to remember and relive some of our memories, as they are making their own.

Preparation - part 2

So I regularly wake up at 3AM now ... just for because I guess. The house is quiet, kids are usually quiet and sleeping, Mr. Right is snoring (and he says I do too, but I'm awake so how can that be?). Perhaps my body wants me to check out the bad TV that is available at 3AM. Grrrr. Annoying!

The boys are starting to show signs of their preparation too. #1 has asked about 100 different ways to many different audiences - how were you born? when were you born? how does the baby come out? ... and if your nipples are milk nipples or boy nipples that don't have milk. The dinner conversation around this place is never dull, that's for sure! You would think that he is over it, but he clearly isn't. There is always another question and we're giving the real, text book answers. Maybe he'll get it all out of his system now and we won't need to continue this conversation in his teens.

I get that this is his way of working through the stress of becoming a big brother all over again, but I got a little teary when he told my Mom-In-Law the other day, "things are going to be different soon, Grandma." He gave no context of the baby, but brought that phrase into conversation a few different times over the course of a few days. He's definitely thinking about the changes that will come with his sister, and I hope he's thinking about more of the "that's awesome" thoughts/feelings that came out when he saw that first sonogram picture. But part of me knows he's anxious, just like I am, and wants to know what #3 will do to life as he knows it now.

#2 is showing his anxiety in a bit different way. The other day he told his best friend at school (a girl) that he wanted to be a girl. His friend gave a very grown up answer and said, "you have to be who you are." Apparently he was not pleased with this answer, left his friend sitting alone and went off to play trucks with the boys. I asked him the next day if he had that conversation with his friend and he told me yes. I asked him if he wanted to be a girl ... he smiled from ear to ear and said, "no! Girls are ... um, poopy?" Ah yes, there it is ... that love and affection all girls desire.

We still have a lot of time before her arrival, but it is interesting that she's already taking center stage some days.

Double Date

We went to see Mary Poppins on stage with Miss M and her Mommy last weekend. They are both ready for the awkwardness of prom pictures, no? #1 was totally mesmerized with the set changes, while Miss M sang and danced along in her seat. Super cute and good fun for all ... although getting home at 11pm was past all of our bedtimes!

Cousins

They bring out the best and the worst in each other ... but they sure are having a good time together.