Jon travels almost every week for work but rarely gets more than a week's advance notice. Once a year, his company has a corporate retreat they plan well in advance. As soon as we found out the retreat was in San Diego, I jumped at the opportunity to cash in frequent flier miles to have me and the boys tag along. We have been beyond excited about this trip to San Diego. Going to Legoland with long-time babycenter/blogging friend JenFen. BBQ at Erin's house. Balboa Park. In n Out double double. Taking the boys to the Pacific Ocean. Maybe meeting Mamie? Wearing flip flops and feeling the warm sun on my skin.
And so it is that the biggest snow storm since we moved here is about to hit Raleigh. 6-10 inches of snow predicted over the next 24 hours. And it's supposed to start right when we need to head to the airport. If our plane can get out of here before the storm, we've got some amazing things planned for the next few days. IF IF IF.
And then... hold me... I fly back from San Diego by myself with the boys, including a layover.
Many good thoughts are appreciated.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
My plan to be Calvin's dad is not a good plan - edited
Long long LONG before I had kids, I read a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip where Calvin asked his dad why old pictures are in black and white. His dad told him the world used to be black and white and it turned color in the 1930s. Calvin asked why old paintings are in color and his dad told him great artists were often insane.
(I tried to find the original comic but it is NOWHERE to be found on the internet.)
I cut that strip out of the newspaper when I was 15 years old because I thought that was the funniest thing ever to tell a kid. I loved how Calvin's dad always had crazy explanations for Calvin that he could somehow justify with science. I always imagined myself having conversations like this with my kids one day.
Yesterday at breakfast I told the kids we are going to this awesome place called Legoland on Saturday. Their first question was, "Are there going to be legos there?!" and I said no. But when I saw the confused and hurt looks on their faces, I immediately had to tell them I was kidding and there would be so many legos there. Lego dinosaur, lego cars, legos legos legos.
Either I'm too sensitive to be like Calvin's dad or the boys are still a little too young.
Lookie! The comic!
(I tried to find the original comic but it is NOWHERE to be found on the internet.)
I cut that strip out of the newspaper when I was 15 years old because I thought that was the funniest thing ever to tell a kid. I loved how Calvin's dad always had crazy explanations for Calvin that he could somehow justify with science. I always imagined myself having conversations like this with my kids one day.
Yesterday at breakfast I told the kids we are going to this awesome place called Legoland on Saturday. Their first question was, "Are there going to be legos there?!" and I said no. But when I saw the confused and hurt looks on their faces, I immediately had to tell them I was kidding and there would be so many legos there. Lego dinosaur, lego cars, legos legos legos.
Either I'm too sensitive to be like Calvin's dad or the boys are still a little too young.
Lookie! The comic!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The many faces of Nate
I am really struggling at this point with getting shots every day for my Project 365. The first problem is I found my main interest in taking pictures of people. I tried taking photos of objects but I found it boring and uninspiring. Then I learned at our house, I am limited by natural light. I tried taking pictures inside our house after the sun went down to disastrous results.
First example (pic 25):
We use CFLs wherever we can in the house. I've found the CFLs in our kitchen give off an ugly weird green-yellow light when photographed. No amount of playing with the white balance is helping correct the weird tint without screwing up other parts of the picture. Even B&W looks "off." It doesn't help that our awesome teflon-coated stain resistant table cloth is red, orange, and yellow striped!
Then I thought I would run with the crazy green-yellow tint and edit it to look all 70s-ish. Let's just say the subject was less than cooperative. And I'm not a big fan of this look (day 26):
From all of this, I learned my lesson. Natural light in our house is best, and we don't have a lot of it. During work days, that leaves before and after school to take pictures. Before school, I simply can not add anything to the morning scramble without wanting to poke myself in the eye. After work, we're just now starting to get a little bit of daylight. So hopefully soon I'll be taking the boys outside to capture some elusive shots.
In the meantime, occasionally I will get a couple of quick snaps in during a slow part of our morning scramble. Maybe. (day 27)
First example (pic 25):
We use CFLs wherever we can in the house. I've found the CFLs in our kitchen give off an ugly weird green-yellow light when photographed. No amount of playing with the white balance is helping correct the weird tint without screwing up other parts of the picture. Even B&W looks "off." It doesn't help that our awesome teflon-coated stain resistant table cloth is red, orange, and yellow striped!
Then I thought I would run with the crazy green-yellow tint and edit it to look all 70s-ish. Let's just say the subject was less than cooperative. And I'm not a big fan of this look (day 26):
From all of this, I learned my lesson. Natural light in our house is best, and we don't have a lot of it. During work days, that leaves before and after school to take pictures. Before school, I simply can not add anything to the morning scramble without wanting to poke myself in the eye. After work, we're just now starting to get a little bit of daylight. So hopefully soon I'll be taking the boys outside to capture some elusive shots.
In the meantime, occasionally I will get a couple of quick snaps in during a slow part of our morning scramble. Maybe. (day 27)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Raising your spirited child, take two
Nate was a very intense baby. I spent a lot (A LOT!!!) of time on the Baby Whisperer message boards specifically for spirited babies to get tips and tricks on dealing with it. He was so intense that before he turned six months old, I bought "Raising Your Spirited Child" and read it cover to cover. I was looking for that magic thing that would make it easier to parent Nate. This is what's hard to explain to people about that newborn phase. We never had to do this kind of stuff with Alex. He was always textbook and everything in the baby books applied to him.
After reading Joanna's post about reading it, I decided to re-read it now that I feel I know my kids a lot better than I did as a newbie twin parent. I also thought it would be good to re-read it as Nate is STILL so intense. Parenting him is like riding a roller coaster. It is never just flat. Everything is either super awesome or super terrible, with no in between. And frankly, I was also worried about him having ADD because he gets bored so easily and is constantly distracted, running from thing to thing.
I'm so glad I took time to re-read the book because two glaringly obvious things stuck out at me. First, he is off the charts in Intensity. Even when we play a five minute game, we never know if that five minutes will end in screaming and tears or shrieks of laughter. And he is also off the charts in Extroversion. The kid talked to like 10 different people in the airport security line, including explaining to the TSA people that he needed to get his backpack because he was going to Phoenix in the desert and blah blah blah.
I obviously did not need a book to tell me these things about Nate. What I did need a book to tell me was that he is this Intense because he feels these things this intensely. He does not do it for attention or to get his way. He just feels things with more feeling than most people. In my head, I kept thinking that eventually he would mature and not squeal with delight or scream when he's angry. I'm dumb because it's been almost four years and he has always been this way. This is who he is!
But the BIG lightbulb moment came in reading the traits that applied to Alex. Introversion. Sensitive. Adaptability (lack of). Regularity. In every single trait except Perceptive, Nate and Alex are opposites. Polar opposites. And thus THE REASONS they fight so often. Alex is an introvert who needs his own space to do his own thing but Nate needs to play with someone = fight. Alex wants to play the same game over and over while Nate constantly wants to change it = fight. Nate's willing to scream to get his way and Alex won't back down = fight.
Yin and yang, that's what we should have named. I've got a lot of introverted thinking to do after reading this book, if only Nate would be quiet for a minute.
After reading Joanna's post about reading it, I decided to re-read it now that I feel I know my kids a lot better than I did as a newbie twin parent. I also thought it would be good to re-read it as Nate is STILL so intense. Parenting him is like riding a roller coaster. It is never just flat. Everything is either super awesome or super terrible, with no in between. And frankly, I was also worried about him having ADD because he gets bored so easily and is constantly distracted, running from thing to thing.
I'm so glad I took time to re-read the book because two glaringly obvious things stuck out at me. First, he is off the charts in Intensity. Even when we play a five minute game, we never know if that five minutes will end in screaming and tears or shrieks of laughter. And he is also off the charts in Extroversion. The kid talked to like 10 different people in the airport security line, including explaining to the TSA people that he needed to get his backpack because he was going to Phoenix in the desert and blah blah blah.
I obviously did not need a book to tell me these things about Nate. What I did need a book to tell me was that he is this Intense because he feels these things this intensely. He does not do it for attention or to get his way. He just feels things with more feeling than most people. In my head, I kept thinking that eventually he would mature and not squeal with delight or scream when he's angry. I'm dumb because it's been almost four years and he has always been this way. This is who he is!
But the BIG lightbulb moment came in reading the traits that applied to Alex. Introversion. Sensitive. Adaptability (lack of). Regularity. In every single trait except Perceptive, Nate and Alex are opposites. Polar opposites. And thus THE REASONS they fight so often. Alex is an introvert who needs his own space to do his own thing but Nate needs to play with someone = fight. Alex wants to play the same game over and over while Nate constantly wants to change it = fight. Nate's willing to scream to get his way and Alex won't back down = fight.
Yin and yang, that's what we should have named. I've got a lot of introverted thinking to do after reading this book, if only Nate would be quiet for a minute.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Dropping the nap
I have said many times that I have no idea what I would do when the boys dropped their nap and that I would only let it go from my cold dead hands. So it should come as a great surprise to everyone that we decided to force the boys to NOT nap this weekend.
For the last month, we have been on this downward spiral of later and later bedtimes. Or rather, sleeptimes. We still put the boys to bed at 8PM but they consistently go in and out of their rooms EVERY NIGHT after 8. Sometimes until 9. Sometimes until 10. Sometimes after 10. This was making the parents extraordinarily cranky. They weren't just doing the normal bedtime stalling. This was out of control. One night I caught Nate in Alex's room showing Alex his puppy's outfit. This would be fine except Alex was dead asleep and Nate was shaking him, trying to wake him.
That is when we had to admit they are ready to stop napping. We decided to test this theory over the weekend. Instead of naptime, we told the boys it was quiet time and they could take toys into their rooms. We cut back the time they were in their rooms and made sure they did not sleep. Sure enough, when bedtime rolled around, not a single peep was heard after 8PM.
Sunday we again did not let them nap, and again we did not hear a peep after 8PM. They were considerably cranky in the afternoon, but I had so much more patience dealing with their tiredness knowing I would get a break at 8 PM.
I was unable to sleep last night, thinking about this last big sleep transition for my boys. I was up for a long time, wondering how the time had gone so quickly.
For the last month, we have been on this downward spiral of later and later bedtimes. Or rather, sleeptimes. We still put the boys to bed at 8PM but they consistently go in and out of their rooms EVERY NIGHT after 8. Sometimes until 9. Sometimes until 10. Sometimes after 10. This was making the parents extraordinarily cranky. They weren't just doing the normal bedtime stalling. This was out of control. One night I caught Nate in Alex's room showing Alex his puppy's outfit. This would be fine except Alex was dead asleep and Nate was shaking him, trying to wake him.
That is when we had to admit they are ready to stop napping. We decided to test this theory over the weekend. Instead of naptime, we told the boys it was quiet time and they could take toys into their rooms. We cut back the time they were in their rooms and made sure they did not sleep. Sure enough, when bedtime rolled around, not a single peep was heard after 8PM.
Sunday we again did not let them nap, and again we did not hear a peep after 8PM. They were considerably cranky in the afternoon, but I had so much more patience dealing with their tiredness knowing I would get a break at 8 PM.
I was unable to sleep last night, thinking about this last big sleep transition for my boys. I was up for a long time, wondering how the time had gone so quickly.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Changes
This post will require some background.
In 2005, Jon and I made a plan to move to our ideal city. We made lists of must-haves, would-like-to-haves, and don't-wants then hatched a plan to make it happen. That is how we ended up in Cary, a place where we have no family but it has worked out to be everything we wanted.
In Chicago, I was in a book group, I ran races, I volunteered for the Sierra Club, I knew my librarian, I knew my dry cleaner. I made life happen. Then twin pregnancy + barfing + bed rest + newborn twins + two working parents + one traveling spouse. It seems like we've been on a never ending treadmill of busy-ness for years. At Christmas, we had almost two full weeks of no work obligations, just time with our family of four. It was glorious. Being introverted, I needed that mental time to think and think and think.
I wasn't ready to announce it on New Year's Day as my resolutions but this year, I am living life with one motto - DO IT.
I am done saying no to new experiences. I am done saying yes to things I don't want to do. I am done putting labels on myself. I want to be that person, taking life by the throat, instead of letting life happen to me. I am done telling myself that things are not possible because I am too busy with my job, my kids, my husband. Big big words but I am following through on this one and have never felt better.
What this means is this space may change a little. It's always been my mommy journal but there has been a lot of focus on the kids rather than the mommy. I want to teach my boys to live life to the fullest but I feel to do this best, I need to live it by example. What this also means is this year will see some CRAZY things.
* I'm going to try flavored chicken wings. I always say no to them because the work to food ratio is too high and I hate ripping apart meat with my hands. But so many people like them, maybe I am missing out on something. Ditto to any foods "I don't like." Kale, beets, ribs. All going to be eaten in 2010!
* I'm going to keep running. A lot. Yes it takes time away from my kids. After feeling like a ROCK STAR at mile 8 of a half marathon because of my training, I know this is the way to my best me.
* Thanks to a comment from Sara on the 500 in 2010 blog, Joanna and I are GOING to participate in a Warrior Dash. Yes we are going to run 3 miles while jumping over flames, crawling through mud, and repelling down a wall. Yes we're going to wear costumes. Yes you are invited to join us, either running with us or cheering for us.
2009 was not a great year but it fundamentally changed me in ways for the better. I feel that it gave me clarity on what is important and what is not important. It also helped me pinpoint changes that have been brewing under the surface but have not had time to come out.
2010 is going to be crazy. I hope you will all be along for the ride.
In 2005, Jon and I made a plan to move to our ideal city. We made lists of must-haves, would-like-to-haves, and don't-wants then hatched a plan to make it happen. That is how we ended up in Cary, a place where we have no family but it has worked out to be everything we wanted.
In Chicago, I was in a book group, I ran races, I volunteered for the Sierra Club, I knew my librarian, I knew my dry cleaner. I made life happen. Then twin pregnancy + barfing + bed rest + newborn twins + two working parents + one traveling spouse. It seems like we've been on a never ending treadmill of busy-ness for years. At Christmas, we had almost two full weeks of no work obligations, just time with our family of four. It was glorious. Being introverted, I needed that mental time to think and think and think.
I wasn't ready to announce it on New Year's Day as my resolutions but this year, I am living life with one motto - DO IT.
I am done saying no to new experiences. I am done saying yes to things I don't want to do. I am done putting labels on myself. I want to be that person, taking life by the throat, instead of letting life happen to me. I am done telling myself that things are not possible because I am too busy with my job, my kids, my husband. Big big words but I am following through on this one and have never felt better.
What this means is this space may change a little. It's always been my mommy journal but there has been a lot of focus on the kids rather than the mommy. I want to teach my boys to live life to the fullest but I feel to do this best, I need to live it by example. What this also means is this year will see some CRAZY things.
* I'm going to try flavored chicken wings. I always say no to them because the work to food ratio is too high and I hate ripping apart meat with my hands. But so many people like them, maybe I am missing out on something. Ditto to any foods "I don't like." Kale, beets, ribs. All going to be eaten in 2010!
* I'm going to keep running. A lot. Yes it takes time away from my kids. After feeling like a ROCK STAR at mile 8 of a half marathon because of my training, I know this is the way to my best me.
* Thanks to a comment from Sara on the 500 in 2010 blog, Joanna and I are GOING to participate in a Warrior Dash. Yes we are going to run 3 miles while jumping over flames, crawling through mud, and repelling down a wall. Yes we're going to wear costumes. Yes you are invited to join us, either running with us or cheering for us.
2009 was not a great year but it fundamentally changed me in ways for the better. I feel that it gave me clarity on what is important and what is not important. It also helped me pinpoint changes that have been brewing under the surface but have not had time to come out.
2010 is going to be crazy. I hope you will all be along for the ride.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Phoenix trip photo overload
It sucks not living closer to my sister. However she's happy in Phoenix and I'm happy in North Carolina and we have email, cell phones, texting, and blogging to keep in touch. It was a great trip to visit everyone and since we asked Shealynn to take pictures (another awesome sneak peek here!), there was no pressure to follow everyone around trying to get good pictures.
I'd say the biggest hurdle on this trip was sleeping. With the time difference, the boys needed naps. We spent a lot of time working around getting the boys some quality day time sleep so they wouldn't be crazed insane 3 year olds. I hate to say it but I'm ready to drop the nap. (Project 365, day 15)
One major upside is Jon and I managed to get some quality alone time in the evenings by putting in a movie for the boys while we relaxed. I know I rave about these headphones after every trip but you should have seen me and Jon, drinking wine and chatting away while the boys sat peacefully. So worth it. (Project 365, day 16)
In addition to doing fun stuff like checking out the Scottsdale train park and running the half marathon, we also enjoyed walking around outside with no coats. I'd love to say that's a smile on Nate's face but he's so close to hurting Alex, it's scary. (Project 365 day 17)
It was a little surreal being in Scottsdale. Jon and I went on our first vacation together 9 years ago to Scottsdale and San Diego. However this time we went to the same places with our two kids in tow. The boys were interested in very different things than we were, obviously. (Project 365 day 18)
I can't do a good recap of our trip without thanking Jon. In everything that I write about here, Jon is 100% behind me. He is the one watching the boys so I can go run for 2 1/2 hours. He is the one cheering me on. He is the one making our life possible. We make a great team and my life is infinitely better with him in it. (Project 365 day 19)
Overall the boys did fantastic traveling. They were so excited about the desert, the cacti, and the mountains. It was amazing to see something so simple through their eyes and I will never forget them saying over and over, "I see Camelback Mountain!" Their reaction makes me very excited for the other trips we have planned this year.
Finally, my favorite pictures.
When I first started getting interested in photography, these next two pictures were the type of pictures I wanted to take. They're not technically perfect but I still love them so much. (Project 365 day 20)
Oh my, I truly love them. Both the pictures and the boys. (Project 365 day 21)
I'd say the biggest hurdle on this trip was sleeping. With the time difference, the boys needed naps. We spent a lot of time working around getting the boys some quality day time sleep so they wouldn't be crazed insane 3 year olds. I hate to say it but I'm ready to drop the nap. (Project 365, day 15)
One major upside is Jon and I managed to get some quality alone time in the evenings by putting in a movie for the boys while we relaxed. I know I rave about these headphones after every trip but you should have seen me and Jon, drinking wine and chatting away while the boys sat peacefully. So worth it. (Project 365, day 16)
In addition to doing fun stuff like checking out the Scottsdale train park and running the half marathon, we also enjoyed walking around outside with no coats. I'd love to say that's a smile on Nate's face but he's so close to hurting Alex, it's scary. (Project 365 day 17)
It was a little surreal being in Scottsdale. Jon and I went on our first vacation together 9 years ago to Scottsdale and San Diego. However this time we went to the same places with our two kids in tow. The boys were interested in very different things than we were, obviously. (Project 365 day 18)
I can't do a good recap of our trip without thanking Jon. In everything that I write about here, Jon is 100% behind me. He is the one watching the boys so I can go run for 2 1/2 hours. He is the one cheering me on. He is the one making our life possible. We make a great team and my life is infinitely better with him in it. (Project 365 day 19)
Overall the boys did fantastic traveling. They were so excited about the desert, the cacti, and the mountains. It was amazing to see something so simple through their eyes and I will never forget them saying over and over, "I see Camelback Mountain!" Their reaction makes me very excited for the other trips we have planned this year.
Finally, my favorite pictures.
When I first started getting interested in photography, these next two pictures were the type of pictures I wanted to take. They're not technically perfect but I still love them so much. (Project 365 day 20)
Oh my, I truly love them. Both the pictures and the boys. (Project 365 day 21)
13.1 miles and 8 hours in a plane later
Jamie and I finished the half marathon in two hours and 18 minutes. We pretty much kick butt. At mile 8, I felt better than I have ever felt running before. All those hours spent training made this race feel pretty easy. Then miles 10-13 were HOT and sunny and I didn't feel so great. An In n Out double double (animal style) made everything all better afterwards.
We didn't get home until almost midnight last night, so a recap of the rest of the trip will need to wait for another day. I will leave you with a couple more pictures. First, I can not tell you how excited ALL of us were to be in short sleeved shirts during the trip. (Alex distracted touching his first cactus:
And Shealynn put up a couple of sneak peeks of our photo shoot and they are AMAZING! Check them out here.
PS. Note to self: NEVER plan a trip to arrive home after 10PM with two 3 year olds. Enough said.
We didn't get home until almost midnight last night, so a recap of the rest of the trip will need to wait for another day. I will leave you with a couple more pictures. First, I can not tell you how excited ALL of us were to be in short sleeved shirts during the trip. (Alex distracted touching his first cactus:
And Shealynn put up a couple of sneak peeks of our photo shoot and they are AMAZING! Check them out here.
PS. Note to self: NEVER plan a trip to arrive home after 10PM with two 3 year olds. Enough said.
Friday, January 15, 2010
BUSY
Sunday is the half marathon with my sister Jamie. For those that don't know, Jamie was a Marine and a cross country runner in high school. She is a badass and is talking a big game about not being prepared but she will probably smoke me. (And look fabulous doing it.) It says a lot that I went out and purchased new clothes to look cute during my run.
And I just found out this week they have BEER at the finish line. If I ever wanted a reason to run for over two hours, I just found it.
And this weekend we're going to have family pictures taken by none other than Shealynn B!
And the best part of the entire trip is the boys are bringing their own carry ons. No more pack muleing it on flights! This is HUGE!
(Check twitter and facebook for pictures and results.)
And I just found out this week they have BEER at the finish line. If I ever wanted a reason to run for over two hours, I just found it.
And this weekend we're going to have family pictures taken by none other than Shealynn B!
And the best part of the entire trip is the boys are bringing their own carry ons. No more pack muleing it on flights! This is HUGE!
(Check twitter and facebook for pictures and results.)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Documenting things other than the kids
One of the side effects of getting out the camera more is the boys are LESS interested in having their picture taken. Before it was a novelty that mom had a camera at a fun place like the pumpkin farm. Now it is an annoyance that I am constantly taking photos of them.
One way I have found them to be more cooperative is to have them tell me what to photograph. I take whatever pictures they want if they'll cooperate. I found this request of Alex's particularly sweet because it captures his two best friends that MUST sleep with him at all times - his lovey and his puppy. He sleeps with about five different animals but these are the top two in the hierarchy. (Project 365, day 14)
It's only been two weeks but I'm already enjoying photographing the "hidden" parts of our life. I've written about lovey and puppy before but I like the idea of having a picture of this moment in time.
One way I have found them to be more cooperative is to have them tell me what to photograph. I take whatever pictures they want if they'll cooperate. I found this request of Alex's particularly sweet because it captures his two best friends that MUST sleep with him at all times - his lovey and his puppy. He sleeps with about five different animals but these are the top two in the hierarchy. (Project 365, day 14)
It's only been two weeks but I'm already enjoying photographing the "hidden" parts of our life. I've written about lovey and puppy before but I like the idea of having a picture of this moment in time.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The New Year's Eve post that was five years in the making
I've clearly documented that Jon and I hate New Year's Eve. It never lives up to expectations. Ever since I met Jon, we stay in for New Year's and having a ROCKING party of two. Every year we have a theme - Hawaiian, tapas, fondue - and we have fun reflecting over previous years. This NYE we spent a lot of time talking about how this year will be ten years since we met.
NYE 2004 we drank from two famous tiki cups with hopes for fertility in the upcoming year. It clearly worked. It seemed only fitting to celebrate the five year anniversary of that tiki celebration with some more tiki drinks.
For Project 365 day 13 I present Nate and Alex's first tiki drinks, NYE 2009.
(Bonus points if you can name the tv show on in the background. Clearly our TiVo habits have changed a little in the last five years.)
NYE 2004 we drank from two famous tiki cups with hopes for fertility in the upcoming year. It clearly worked. It seemed only fitting to celebrate the five year anniversary of that tiki celebration with some more tiki drinks.
For Project 365 day 13 I present Nate and Alex's first tiki drinks, NYE 2009.
(Bonus points if you can name the tv show on in the background. Clearly our TiVo habits have changed a little in the last five years.)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The most wonderful time of the day
Monday was not my most spectacular solo parenting night.
Nate didn't want to leave school. He refused to go to the car. I coerced him to the car and the entire ride home, he talked about how he never wanted to be at our house.
We tried skyping with Jon. It was a failure. While I was trying to figure out what was wrong, Alex kept jumping on my legs while Nate screamed in my ear "HELLO DAD CAN YOU HEAR US NOW!" Then they cried when I could not get it to work. I gave them cookies to stop the crying.
Nate went to time out for putting so many grapes in his mouth that he choked. He got angry and spit them on the floor on purpose. Alex was really good, except for stuffing crayons in his nose as far as they would go.
But here's the thing about our house. Bath time is ALWAYS a fun time. The boys are always excited to take a bath and they play and laugh together. I wish whenever someone has a bad day, they could come to my house and experience bath time. Whenever I had a bad day, bath time makes it all better.
Last night was no exception. But then Nate did a belly flop and got taken out of the bath. While waiting for Alex to finish bathing, the boys made up some game where Nate pretended to spit in the tub while Alex swam in it. They were laughing hysterically over it. I still don't understand it but I know how much they giggled.
Crazy that I had a camera there. That's why I'm doing Project 365 (day 12).
Nate didn't want to leave school. He refused to go to the car. I coerced him to the car and the entire ride home, he talked about how he never wanted to be at our house.
We tried skyping with Jon. It was a failure. While I was trying to figure out what was wrong, Alex kept jumping on my legs while Nate screamed in my ear "HELLO DAD CAN YOU HEAR US NOW!" Then they cried when I could not get it to work. I gave them cookies to stop the crying.
Nate went to time out for putting so many grapes in his mouth that he choked. He got angry and spit them on the floor on purpose. Alex was really good, except for stuffing crayons in his nose as far as they would go.
But here's the thing about our house. Bath time is ALWAYS a fun time. The boys are always excited to take a bath and they play and laugh together. I wish whenever someone has a bad day, they could come to my house and experience bath time. Whenever I had a bad day, bath time makes it all better.
Last night was no exception. But then Nate did a belly flop and got taken out of the bath. While waiting for Alex to finish bathing, the boys made up some game where Nate pretended to spit in the tub while Alex swam in it. They were laughing hysterically over it. I still don't understand it but I know how much they giggled.
Crazy that I had a camera there. That's why I'm doing Project 365 (day 12).
Monday, January 11, 2010
Quarantine
Friday night, Nate puked MANY times between 1:30AM and 6:30AM. The first puke involved cleaning pillows, pillowcases, sheets, blankets, pajamas. Oy. I had the BRILLIANT idea to move the extra toddler bed mattress into our room. This meant we would be able to hear him easily and the waterproof mattress meant easier clean up. I'd do this every time we have a puking kid except next time I will put the mattress on Jon's side as I did most of the "dirty work" holding the puke bowl for Nate.
Saturday morning he was fever and puke free. On Sunday everything he wanted to say Thursday through Saturday came spilling out all day. I have never heard that kid talk so much in his life. Even Alex was getting frustrated, not able to get a word in. He followed each of us around the house, talking and talking and talking. Although tiring, it was nice to have Nate back.
Nate is the only kid at school who got sick, which leads me to believe it was a grocery store, Target, or Chick-fil-A exposure. The rest of this week we're on quarantine. I don't want anything to stop our Phoenix trip so if it means hiding at home for a few days, that's what we're doing.
Now would be the time for me to mention how much I hate cold and flu season.
Saturday morning he was fever and puke free. On Sunday everything he wanted to say Thursday through Saturday came spilling out all day. I have never heard that kid talk so much in his life. Even Alex was getting frustrated, not able to get a word in. He followed each of us around the house, talking and talking and talking. Although tiring, it was nice to have Nate back.
Nate is the only kid at school who got sick, which leads me to believe it was a grocery store, Target, or Chick-fil-A exposure. The rest of this week we're on quarantine. I don't want anything to stop our Phoenix trip so if it means hiding at home for a few days, that's what we're doing.
Now would be the time for me to mention how much I hate cold and flu season.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Dark Days challenge
The evolution of a SOLE pantry!
Last night's SOLE dinner was supposed to be local bread and Smoky Black Bean Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Kale from Cheryl at At the Farmers' Market. However the southern freeze killed the kale we were supposed to receive and Nate ended up with a fever and vomiting virus.
However since I've been replacing our pantry items with SOLE items, I was quickly able to pull together a fast and easy SOLE meal: SOLE all-beef hot dogs and Baked Sweet Potato Shoestring Fries from Windy City Vegan. The fries were delicious and we agreed we would be adding this to our collection of sweet potato recipes.
Considering at the beginning of this challenge we were just starting to find local items, I am SUPER EXCITED that we are able to have meals and backup meals in our pantry that are SOLE.
(No pictures as we are busy tending to a sick kid.)
Last night's SOLE dinner was supposed to be local bread and Smoky Black Bean Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Kale from Cheryl at At the Farmers' Market. However the southern freeze killed the kale we were supposed to receive and Nate ended up with a fever and vomiting virus.
However since I've been replacing our pantry items with SOLE items, I was quickly able to pull together a fast and easy SOLE meal: SOLE all-beef hot dogs and Baked Sweet Potato Shoestring Fries from Windy City Vegan. The fries were delicious and we agreed we would be adding this to our collection of sweet potato recipes.
Considering at the beginning of this challenge we were just starting to find local items, I am SUPER EXCITED that we are able to have meals and backup meals in our pantry that are SOLE.
(No pictures as we are busy tending to a sick kid.)
Friday, January 08, 2010
Update on Nate (and project 365 day 8)
Nate still has a fever and he threw up once in the middle of the night. However he has been in high spirits and has absolutely loved getting to watch unlimited tv. What can I say? He takes after his mom in so many ways. He has taken small breaks to play games on the computer.
(Project 365 - day 8 - decided to go straight-out-of-camera today):
My first experience with computers was in the fifth grade. My elementary school had some Radio Shack Tandy computers and as rewards for good grades and good behavior, we got to play this Alaskan gold rush game (anyone remember the name?).
I remember that first computer as being one of the coolest things I had ever seen. It never ceases to amaze me that at age 3, my boys can play games on my iphone or open a computer, open a browser, and play an online game. The technology advances in the last 25 years have been astounding and it makes me wonder what technology they will be teaching their kids to use.
(Project 365 - day 8 - decided to go straight-out-of-camera today):
My first experience with computers was in the fifth grade. My elementary school had some Radio Shack Tandy computers and as rewards for good grades and good behavior, we got to play this Alaskan gold rush game (anyone remember the name?).
I remember that first computer as being one of the coolest things I had ever seen. It never ceases to amaze me that at age 3, my boys can play games on my iphone or open a computer, open a browser, and play an online game. The technology advances in the last 25 years have been astounding and it makes me wonder what technology they will be teaching their kids to use.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Aha!
After going to a college that was 75% men, one of the remaining mysteries to me was "Why does the man cold exist?"
This morning Nate was adamant about not getting out bed so I went downstairs with Alex. A few minutes later, Nate came downstairs whimpering and went straight to my arms for a hug. I asked what was wrong and he said, "I'm siiiiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!" A quick forehead check confirmed he had a fever (took his temp and gave him tylenol as well).
The moping! The sad expressions!
I want you to snuggle me, I'm so sick.
I can't do anything, I'm so sick.
I want to watch tv all day, I'm so sick.
I fell for it, hook line and sinker. AHA! After years of wondering, I realized the man cold is genetically programmed into little boys and nurtured by their mothers. Now I must figure out a process to stop boy colds from maturing into man cold, but I can't because I'm too busy making my little baby feel better.
(Carrie forwarded me this man cold video and I still laugh watching it.)
This morning Nate was adamant about not getting out bed so I went downstairs with Alex. A few minutes later, Nate came downstairs whimpering and went straight to my arms for a hug. I asked what was wrong and he said, "I'm siiiiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!" A quick forehead check confirmed he had a fever (took his temp and gave him tylenol as well).
The moping! The sad expressions!
I want you to snuggle me, I'm so sick.
I can't do anything, I'm so sick.
I want to watch tv all day, I'm so sick.
I fell for it, hook line and sinker. AHA! After years of wondering, I realized the man cold is genetically programmed into little boys and nurtured by their mothers. Now I must figure out a process to stop boy colds from maturing into man cold, but I can't because I'm too busy making my little baby feel better.
(Carrie forwarded me this man cold video and I still laugh watching it.)
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Good idea, bad idea, good idea
Jon's gone on his first trip of 2010 and the boys were slow getting ready for school this morning. I told them whoever got fully dressed first got to have first sip of my Starbucks coffee. I patted myself on the back at this brilliant idea as the boys raced to change their clothes and brush their teeth. It was the easiest morning scramble I've had in the long time. Laura, you rock!
As soon as Nate said, "I won!" Alex burst into tears sobbing because he did not win. The tears went on and on and turned into a huge tantrum. Roughly five minutes after declaring this my Best Idea Ever, I declared it one of the Worst Ideas Ever. I got Alex to stop crying by saying whoever came in second got to sit on the driver's side of the car.
The boys climbed into the car and Nate said, "Mommy I'm going to let Alex drink first. He was crying and if he drinks first, he won't cry anymore so he can go first." Awwww. Maybe this was a good idea?
PS. My coffee was too hot for them to drink anyway.
PPS. Caramel macchiato <> caramel brulee latte.
As soon as Nate said, "I won!" Alex burst into tears sobbing because he did not win. The tears went on and on and turned into a huge tantrum. Roughly five minutes after declaring this my Best Idea Ever, I declared it one of the Worst Ideas Ever. I got Alex to stop crying by saying whoever came in second got to sit on the driver's side of the car.
The boys climbed into the car and Nate said, "Mommy I'm going to let Alex drink first. He was crying and if he drinks first, he won't cry anymore so he can go first." Awwww. Maybe this was a good idea?
PS. My coffee was too hot for them to drink anyway.
PPS. Caramel macchiato <> caramel brulee latte.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
The best present ever (and 500 in 2010)
Every year Santa brings just a few presents to the boys but he always brings one large gift. All of the large Santa gifts are still in use - Pottery Barn anywhere chairs, play kitchen, Skuut bikes. This year Santa brought a bigger table for the play room and it has seen heavy amounts of use.
Even though Santa did a great job with presents, the boys have a new absolutely all-time favorite toy: travel backpacks. We have two flights this month and one of them will be me taking the boys solo cross-country. After seeing Goddess' kids with cute backpacks, I realized the boys are old enough to cart some of their own stuff.
Nate helped me pick out backpacks at Target over the weekend. He was so excited about the backpacks that turn into wheelie bags that I couldn't talk him into a regular backpack. Since bringing them home, the boys have played with nothing else. They pack things up in them, take "flights" together in their bedroom, and wear them while doing artwork. Last night they spent an hour in Nate's room playing airport and wanted nothing to do with adult interaction.
Let's hope they are this excited about the backpacks after I make them be their own pack mules on two long flights.
PS. Erin and I are racing to see who can run 500 miles first in 2010. We set up an open invitation for anyone to join us running, walking, elliptical machine, biking. So far 30 people have signed up! Details on my other blog here.
Even though Santa did a great job with presents, the boys have a new absolutely all-time favorite toy: travel backpacks. We have two flights this month and one of them will be me taking the boys solo cross-country. After seeing Goddess' kids with cute backpacks, I realized the boys are old enough to cart some of their own stuff.
Nate helped me pick out backpacks at Target over the weekend. He was so excited about the backpacks that turn into wheelie bags that I couldn't talk him into a regular backpack. Since bringing them home, the boys have played with nothing else. They pack things up in them, take "flights" together in their bedroom, and wear them while doing artwork. Last night they spent an hour in Nate's room playing airport and wanted nothing to do with adult interaction.
Let's hope they are this excited about the backpacks after I make them be their own pack mules on two long flights.
PS. Erin and I are racing to see who can run 500 miles first in 2010. We set up an open invitation for anyone to join us running, walking, elliptical machine, biking. So far 30 people have signed up! Details on my other blog here.
Monday, January 04, 2010
The post-vacation post
This is the post where I'm supposed to tell you how my resolutions fared last year.
I rocked last year's resolutions (except the bikini one). I don't really have resolutions for this year except to work on my photography (I'm taking a picture each day and posting on my other blog!), stay in shape (running a half marathon in 13 days!), and stay present in more moments. I consider these goals instead of resolutions.
This is also where I'm supposed to tell you how perfect our vacation was, how we created perfect family memories, and how every moment together was sunshine and rainbows.
The reality of life with children is you often get moments like this:
(Don't feel too bad I took this picture. The injustice that caused this reaction? He asked to watch Dinosaur Train and I said no.)
but the majority of the last two weeks were moments like this:
(These two photos were taken five minutes apart, truly representing life with children.)
Happy new year!
I rocked last year's resolutions (except the bikini one). I don't really have resolutions for this year except to work on my photography (I'm taking a picture each day and posting on my other blog!), stay in shape (running a half marathon in 13 days!), and stay present in more moments. I consider these goals instead of resolutions.
This is also where I'm supposed to tell you how perfect our vacation was, how we created perfect family memories, and how every moment together was sunshine and rainbows.
The reality of life with children is you often get moments like this:
(Don't feel too bad I took this picture. The injustice that caused this reaction? He asked to watch Dinosaur Train and I said no.)
but the majority of the last two weeks were moments like this:
(These two photos were taken five minutes apart, truly representing life with children.)
Happy new year!
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