The Life and Times of the "Little Wife"

Today The Blue-Eyed Boy was playing with his new Playdough set thanks to his Great Aunt Teri and Choitka Erica (Aunt in Polish for those of you who're not lucky enough to be called a Pollock!). He was having a grand old time (making a huge mess) wallowing in the Playdough fun-ness.

The fun-ness continued on until he couldn't find something that he wanted......

The Blue-Eyed Boy: "Momma where's my little wife?"
Me (wondering if I heard him right): "What are you looking for Babe?"
The Blue-Eyed Boy (frustrated--but I would be too if I had to repeat myself countless times a day): "My LITTLE WIIIIIFE!!!"
Me (in my head thinking.....well probably with her family somewhere, or not born yet...but I don't think that's what he means): "I'm not sure what you're talking about, and I don't think you know what you're saying either. Tell me again"
The Blue-Eyed Boy: "My little wife, momma. I need my little wife!"
I just stared at him in confusion while he continued searching. I couldn't for the life of me figure out if he was making a statement far beyond his years or if he was actually looking for something that existed!
The Blue-Eyed Boy (triumphantly): "There it is!! There's my little wife!"

He then proceeded to pick his little yellow Playdough KNIFE up off the windowsil.

and oh did I laugh!

In Case you were having a bad day....

and need a laugh...........

The other day:

The Blue Eyed Boy hit the Red-Haired Girl
Me: "We don't hit people"
Blue-Eyed Boy: (matter-of-factually) "I'm not hitting people, I'm hitting babies"

Day before yesterday:

Blue-Eyed Boy: "Momma is Santa coming here?"
Me: "probably"
Blue-Eyed Boy: "he coming here?"
Me: "yep, I'm sure he is"
Blue-Eyed Boy: "no he not, he not coming here, he at church"

Today:
Hunk: "Do you know where your Chapstick is? "
Blue-eyed Boy: "Actually, I believe it is in the living room"

Happy Sunday!

Christmas Cards

So remember how I took all that time to take pictures of my kids for our Christmas cards?

Well, in a sad turn of events we decided that we didn't have enough extra money to purchase and send Christmas cards. I was bummed to say the least. All that work! gone to waste. bah humbug.

Then in a wonderful turn of events we received some extra money (can we say bonus check?) that we weren't expecting. So, I went on Walmart.com and made a Christmas card (praise the Lord for one hour printing!!).

So here are my beautiful children as they will appear on our Christmas cards. (I'm mailing them tomorrow so my dear family and friends who read...you'll be getting them soon!). The cards turned out really lovely, except for one thing. The Red-Haired Girl's picture is a little on the dark side. It doesn't look dark on our computer, nor did it look dark on the website, but when printed--it's a little dark (sorry sounding redundant now). I lightened it up to show you here. It doens't look bad on the card, just a little bit darker than the Blue-Eyed Boy's picture.

(I would just scan the card, but I'm not sure how the copyright stuff works, and since they almost wouldn't give the cards to us, I think I'll just show you the pictures).


I think he's going to be just as much of a hunk as his daddy, don't you?

And here's our beautiful sunny girl:


and to see the card layout I picked, go here.

5 photo shoots, 6 tantrums, 15 clothing changes and 237 Pictures later....

and we finally have our Christmas card pictures.

Whew. It was fun, but man oh man. To get them both together without one wiggling or crying or puking or......tricky, folks, tricky. Oh and not to mention when the camera wouldn't work or was too slow or you know just all around stinkeriffic (new word meaning: terrifically stinky). I need a new camera and possibly a vacation.

But I'm done! I did it! I persevered!

I think. I might take a few more just because I like to torture myself--er take pictures of my beautiful children.

I'm not going to share them with you just yet (don't want to ruin the surprise for all the family and friends that read!). You can see a couple of the good "rejects" on the sidebar. And if you can't imagine anything cuter than that, oh just you wait!

Now to decide which company to go with for the card. This has been really tough. So far I'm a big fan of Tiny Prints and Pear Tree Greetings. They have wonderful cards and reasonably priced as well. Pear Tree has a create your own photo card option that is really nice and I am spending too much time on the computer fiddling with!

Other places I've been looking include:

Snapfish they are having a 20 cards for 20 cents promo
Shutterfly
Vista Print
Walmart
Photocard Designs
Doodlebug designs I absolutely LOVE this feature.
Photoworks This is such a neat idea!
Photo Affections

Anyone else a d0-it-yourself Christmas photographer?

Dinnertime Funny

(Set-up: We have a very large window in our dining room, it's the size of a bay window, except it's not a bay window. Whenever I cook it fogs up. Last night, I wrote a little message to the Hunk to read when he got home.)

At dinner:

Blue-Eyed Boy: "What are those letters on the window?"
The Hunk: "They're an abbreviation, can you say abbreviation?"
Blue-Eyed Boy: "a baby Aiden?"
The Hunk: "No, A-BREE-VEE-AA-SHON"
Blue-Eyed Boy: "hm. A baby Aiden."

My Cowboy

I think he's the cutest, most adorable little boy on the planet. And when you put him in a cowboy costume, his cuteness skyrockets to levels beyond believable. He's out of this universe, folks. 

Oh am I in for some trouble in 15 years or so. 

 

Eavesdropping

(Red-Haired Girl and Blue-Eyed Boy laying on the floor in the living room.)

Blue-Eyed Boy: "[Red-Haired Girl] you my pretty baby, you my pretty girl."

Red-Haired Girl laughing and making baby sounds.

Blue-Eyed Boy: "You my baby girl, [Red-Haired Girl]......"

Blue-Eyed Boy: "You my best friend"

Red-Haired Girl squeals in delight.

(And my heart melts at the sweetness of it all....)

Toddler Gems

Funny things that the Blue-Eyed Boy has said lately:

I was sitting at the computer and he says to me, "Mama, are you reading my Blog?"

Yesterday in the car on the way home from our family walk, "I don't want exercise! I don't want to get exercise anymore!" (too late for that, Babe!)

I was trying to get him to let me take his picture. "I don't want to smile anymore"

I was cutting Red-Haired Girl's fingernails today, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY BABY?"

Running back and forth from living room to kitchen,"Buzz Lie-year to the res-coo!!"

There's more but I can't think of them.

Hope you had a good chuckle!

Brothers and Sisters (not the T.V. show!)

I've always wanted a brother. Always. And not just any old brother, but an older brother. The kind that takes care of you and protects you as only a big brother can.

Sadly, this was completely impossible because---well--- I am the oldest of three girls.

My longing/wishing, mushy I-missed-out feelings have come to surface yet again as I watch my son and daughter interact.

He is the stalwart defender and protector of his sister (except when he is "accidentally" jumping, or throwing things on her, notice the quotation marks around accidentally---yea you know what I mean--accident smackshident!) She is "his", not Momma's not Daddy's--the Red-Haired Girl is his baby.

She lights up whenever he is near. She laughs and giggles whenever he talks to her. She grabs at his neck trying to hug him (or steal his toys?). She knows he is her brother, the other "little person" in the house.

It's a beautiful thing folks. I'm sad I missed out.

But I love my sisters and know that I have a special relationship with them that I would never have with a brother.

Siblings are great!

Another amazingly funny lesson in miscommunication

Leaving Jo Ann Fabrics tonight:

Me: "[Blue-Eyed Boy], you need to hold Momma's hand in the parking lot".
Blue-Eyed Boy: "I need hold these. You hold my coat."
(We had bought candy bars for a treat, he was carrying them.)
Me: "Okay. We need to be careful in parking lots. Momma doesn't want a car to hurt you. I want you to live to be a ripe old age."
Blue-Eyed Boy: "You want me to be a cold egg?"

Life with a toddler. Never a dull moment, folks, never a dull moment.

Our Potty Training Adventure

I've been super busy. My little business is booming. I've hardly had time to eat let alone sit down and write a blog post. But today I had to make time (that I don't have) to brag on my little boy.

He's doing fantastic with the potty. Here's his chart for the week:

and as I wrote that he just got another sticker!

Here's what I've done so anyone else potty training a boy can use what worked for me:

1. Put the potty in the living room, so he doesn't have to go all the way to the bathroom. We were having a lot of accidents when it was there. The amount of time that lapses between when he has to go and actually goes is not long enough to make it that far. The bathroom and playroom--er living room are on opposite ends of the house. I put a couple of shopping bags under it for any leaks that might occur, and I keep a towel next to it for any leaks that get on the seat for quick and easy clean up. I also spray it with some vinegar/water mix after he's gone to bed to keep it clean. I don't want my living room smelling like a potty!

2. Took away the diapers. He's not allowed a diaper unless it's naptime, bedtime or we go somewhere.

3. No underwear either. Both times we tried the underwear he had an accident. I think because they feel the same as his diapers (since we use cloth) so he would just pee in them. He hasn't had one accident when going "comando".

4. Empty the potty then give the sticker. He gets so excited when he goes and gets his "special sticker" that he will go and try and pee again so he can get another sticker. This also lets me know when he has actually went. He will tell me he peed sometimes and there is nothing in there.

I must say it's weird having a naked boy running around the house. BUT I really am enjoying only having to change one diaper-clad baby!

Okay, back to work!

Who knew??

I've been having a rough time with the potty learning, apart from electrocuting my toddler I'm just not having any luck with getting him to go consistently.

So, today I moved the potty to the living room and took his diapers away.

It worked like a charm!! He's gone 4 times this morning.

We'll see how he does after his nap. I'm hoping for a dry diaper.

*crossing fingers*

Hey all you veteran moms....any advice for potty learning a boy?? Please share in the comments-- I need all the help I can get!!

Working Hard

Tonight at dinner

Blue-Eyed Boy (matter-of-factually): "[Red-Haired Girl] working hard"
Handsome Hunk and Me: "she's working hard?" (jinx!)
Blue-Eyed Boy: "Yep, [Red-Haired Girl] working hard"
Handsome Hunk laughing hilariously
Me: "What do you mean? How is she working hard?"
Handsome Hunk laughing still
Blue-Eyed Boy: "She chewing her toys"
Me (very puzzled, wondering if the electrocution really did do something to him): "Oh, I guess that is work for her"
Red-Haired Girl then filled her pants.
Handsome Hunk: "She was working hard alright"

I looked at the Handsome Hunk he looked at me, and oh did we laugh.

And the winner of the Bad Mommy of the Year award goes to....

me. Yep. I won it hands down today folks. Blue-Eyed Boy electrocuted himself. Yes, you read that right. HE ELECTROCUTED HIMSELF.

Here's what happened.....

We have been working on potty learning for a bit now. Today while changing his diaper he told me he wanted to go "pee-pee on the potty". I said "Okay! Let's go!" and he said, "I want to do it myself.". Red-Haired Girl started fussing right then, so I told him to go ahead and went to get her in the living room. I had just picked her up when I heard the sound that no mother wants to hear--a blood curdling scream. My heart stopped. I don't know how I got to the bathroom, but I did (adrenaline rush). He was crying and crying and saying ow ow ow. I am freaking out (on the inside, didn't want to scare him more!) and trying to see if he's bleeding anywhere and wondering what in the world happened. After much questioning this is what I think happened.....

He had went in went potty (yay! What a big boy!). Stood up and looked in the potty to see his pee (that's what they do folks) and saw the outlet behind his little potty (yea, with no outlet cover, bad mommy, bad mommy!) and stuck his finger in. This shocked him (he said his finger and his foot hurt) and sent him flying to the floor (he said he fell down).

After some snuggles and kisses he was fine. I am super duper glad that I had just taken off his wet diaper, if he had done that with the diaper this would be a very different post---scary.

You can bet that tomorrow I'm finding the outlet covers.

Watches

We went to the grocery store the other day. Blue-Eyed Boy loves to "say hi" to the "monsters" (lobsters for all of you who don't speak toddler). Well the "monsters" were awful active that day--swimming around and such.

Blue-Eyed Boy was watching them and he says...."Daddy they all have watches...all the monsters have watches".

They weren't really wearing watches (just in case you didn't know). They were wearing rubber bands to keep them from clawing each other. But Blue-Eyed Boy thought they were watches.....maybe he's watched Finding Nemo too many times. I don't know. But we decided to let him keep his illusion of watch wearing lobsters. We were not even going to delve into the whole we could buy (ha! with what money?) those watch wearing lobsters and eat them for dinner. He can find that out when he's older.

Instead I avoided eye contact with The Handsome Hunk and he did the same, while we chuckled our way to the hot dog buns.

Oh how fun it is to have a toddler!

Love, Men and Food

You know the famous little saying that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach?? Well, I would like to present this story as proof that this heart-stomach phenomenon begins at birth.

Today Blue-Eyed Boy told me he was hungry. So, I (being the wonderful Mother that I am) got him some food to eat. Cantaloupe specifically--he loves melons. He calls cantaloupe "camo" (yes, like camouflage, almost like he is saying camel) .

He began eating this lovely fruit and this is what I hear (I had walked into the bedroom for a moment).

"mmm...that's good camo" (bite) "mmm....I eat camo" (bite) "mmm....I love my mom" (bite) "mmm....my mom give me camo" (this was all accompianied by the slurpy chompy noises that toddlers make when they eat melon).

There you have it folks--the way to a mans (or toddler boys') heart is through his stomach.

I rest my case.

Day 6 Without The "Blue Guy" and Parenting Thoughts

Blue-Eyed Boy is doing great without his Blue Guy. He only asks for it twice a day...nap time and bedtime. Other than that he never asks for it. He doesn't even mind that Red-Haired Girl has one. Can I get a hallelujah?? (For the rest of the Blue Guy saga go here and here).

In other news....

He has been remarkably well behaved since The Bite. I think I scared him with the intensity of my anger when he bit his sister. As I said before I had never been so angry at him in all his life. I was thinking about this today and it got me thinking about parenting and discipline and such. As I've talked about before we rarely (and I mean rarely) used the word "no" with Blue-Eyed Boy when he was younger (as he's gotten older and uses it himself we use it a little more, but not excessively). Our thinking was that we would use "no" for the big stuff. The things that put him in danger or were "biggies" like hitting, biting, etc. For the little things we'd say "please don't...touch...eat...lick...etc". When we do use "no" he knows he better listen because mommy and daddy mean business. I think this same sort of thing happened with The Bite. I rarely raise my voice to him. I rarely get angry with him. I get frustrated and annoyed, but not really angry. He never does anything "bad" enough. So, when mommy yelled and immediately put him in a time-out with no warning...he might of been a little freaked out.

I know it's easy to fly off the handle with your kids. Especially if it's been a long day and they have been awful. But if you save the anger for the really big things (like biting your newborn sister) they will really listen and know you mean business. I think part of it is the shock factor, the other part is they pick up that you are more serious and stern than usual and it's probably kind of scary a bit. And who wants their parents mad at them? Nobody (I hope). Especially not a 2 year old. He just wants love and attention.

Which is another point to be made. If you give your kids the love and attention they desire, guess what?? They won't misbehave so much. If their desires are fulfilled they don't need to ask for anything more. Watch your kids and you will see when you have been too busy to play or interact they will start to act out.

Anyways...I guess what I'm trying to say is love your kids and don't sweat the small stuff. Leave the anger and the major discipline for the big stuff. The stuff that affects their safety (or their sisters safety), and the things that will affect their character in the long run. Besides, if you yell and yell and yell all the time....they will just tune you out. So, take a deep breath, think like a rational person and ask yourself.....is emptying the laundry basket of the just folded clothes really that big of a deal?? Not in the long run. So, put your kid in a time-out and move on. No, yelling or overreacting necessary.

He Redeemed Himself

This afternoon for no apparent reason my Blue-Eyed Boy crawled into my lap and said....

"Mama, I love you"

Then he kissed me on both cheeks.

and said....

"Mama you kiss my cheeks"

and you can bet I did.

The Joys of Motherhood

We were having a nice moment-- Blue-Eyed Boy, Red-Haired Girl and I. Red-Haired Girl was lying on the bed and Blue-Eyed Boy was lying next to her. He was talking to her and she was smiling and cooing and laughing (oh my goodness is she adorable!). It was so very special.

Here's the conversation we had:

Blue-Eyed Boy: "I love my [Red-Haired Girl]". (the gushing began).

Me: "You know what? I love my [Red-Haired Girl] too. And I love my [Blue-Eyed Boy]".

He comes and gives me a hug.

Blue-Eyed Boy: "I love my daddy". (oh yes he does, he's daddy's little shadow.)

Me: "That's so sweet. Do you love mommy to?"

Silence. (??? What's the hold up here, kid???)

Me: "Don't you love mommy?"

Silence continues. (I'm starting to panic at this point)

He walks away. (Then drives the blow.)

Blue-Eyed Boy: "I don't want mama anymore" (Did you hear that crashing sound?? That was my heart breaking into a million pieces)

Blue-Eyed Boy: "I want Popsicle"

The day is only half over and I've already learned that Blue-Eyed Boy loves, Red-Haired Girl and Handsome Hunk. But he don't want me. He wants a Popsicle. Sorry kid, but you're stuck with me. For. the. rest. of. your. life!

I'm just glad that Red-Haired Girl can't talk yet. She still just smiles and coos and lights up when she sees me.

(By the way, he didn't get a popscicle.)

The Bite II

Here's her little arm 2 hours after the altercation.

It looks a little bit better now, but not much.

My poor baby.