Summertime...and the livin's easy...

A lazy, hot summer day...

Peaceful and serene...

And then...not so peaceful!

Oh, yes...there were sea otters in there with him this morning. Can't you see them?

Conversations with Jacob

Mommy! MOMMY!

What?

Because whatever oh, so important thing I was doing--cooking supper, folding laundry, making sure the baby didn't topple off the couch--was obviously a far second in importance to whatever crisis had arisen in 3-year-old land.

I need my real wings.

Excuse me? What?

I was unaware he had fake wings, let alone real ones.

I. Need. My. Real. Wings.

Okay...why do you need wings?

You have to go buy me some so I can fly. Outside.

Sometimes, life really is that simple.

Some lighthearted reading...

Dear, sweet Husband sent this link to me last night. And I laughed my butt off. Just now I went back to read some more and I had tears rolling down my face.

I don't know who these comic geniuses are or how this started, but I thank them. I needed that!

A Mommy diary

My journey of errands today took me by the hospital where both of my babies were born. Then on down the road and past the lab where we had to take Jacob the first week of his life.

He had lost so much weight. He was so very jaundice. And he cried. All. The. Time. That entire week. That first week we took him back to the doctor for weight checks three days in a row. Slowly, slowly he started gaining weight again. He simply wasn't getting enough to eat. A breast reduction several years prior had seen to that. (All of my male reader(s)--don't go all Sam Kinison on me. The one and only man on this planet whose opinion matters thinks I'm a hottie with or without the triple Ds).

So, we ignored the Breastfeeding Nazi and his impossible demands and went with his more rational colleague who told me it was okay to feed my starving newborn formula. I wasn't a bad mommy and my child wasn't going to be an ax murderer simply because he wasn't 100 percent breastfed. And then we all slept.

A year later at Jacob's one year well baby visit another medical professional had me walking out seeing red. She hedged and hinted at developmental delays. I realize that all they get is a snapshot of where a child is and what that child is doing. They rely on the parents to fill in the picture. She wasn't giving us the opportunity to do that. All she focused on was that my son wasn't saying "Mama" or "Daddy". To her that meant he was lacking something, somewhere. To me, the mommy, it meant there was too much other stuff going on in his brain--he couldn't be bothered with labels.

She wasn't interested in hearing how--at a year old--he was building amazing structures with his legos, separated by size and color. Or that he had figured out how to stack up books to create steps to carry him up and over the living room gate. There was nothing delayed about my child.

A two-year-old and his birthday pie!

Two days ago I took the little man in for his three year well baby visit. And the doctor was blown away by his development. Not the same doctor--we do our best not to see her anymore--we have the Rational One as our primary pediatrician. His speech is clear and understandable. He has a larger vocabulary than I do--it seems that way at least! He is so far ahead of his three-year-old peers in so many ways.

The doctor's only advice to me was,"Try to stay one step ahead of him. And try not to let him see you lose it." Too late on both. But it was reassuring to have the support. To have someone simply be honest with me and tell me that it was not going to be easy raising this brilliant child.

Today he insisted, insisted, that he wear underwear to his playgroup.

Only babies wear diapers, Mommy.

But you are still a baby. You're my baby. We've been through a lot, you and I. And I'm not ready for you to leave toddlerhood behind.

Hard hat area

Our living room remains a fort construction site these days. The only time I am able to actually sit on the sofa with cushions intact is after all construction workers have gone off to bed. So, yesterday when Jacob wanted to create a fort out of the playroom sofa I said yes, as long as you put the cushions back on the one in the living room. And he did. Remind me to make my instructions a tad more clear for my literal son.


Oh, and did I mention that Daddy was home?! He is one of Kyleigh's Most Important Persons.

Is that contentment?

Last night I actually slept 6 straight, uninterrupted hours. And when I rolled over there was someone there beside me to snuggle with.

Both children napped this afternoon. I napped.

Husband cooked a wonderful meal. And then cleaned the kitchen.

All little ones are now asleep. We have nowhere we have to go tomorrow. We can have a relaxed morning.

Sigh. Yep. It's contentment.

Virginia Aviation Museum...in motion

It's difficult enough to get shots of Jacob in the few seconds where he's actually still. It was most unreasonable of me to expect any of these pictures to come out crisp and clear! There were helicopters and airplanes. And he just had to see them all. In record time.

A Huey helicopter
Those barriers really need to be higher! It's almost as if they were inviting him to come on in and play!

He's actually arguing with me about why he can't go put on the flight helmet. And did I mention that Kyleigh was wiggling in my arms!

This is the one he remembers from the last time we were here. The yellow airplane he could get inside. He's flying to Africa to see Kokoo and Babu.

Children's Ready Room.
Of course, my daughter discovered that museum toys taste just like the toys at home! Yum.

There was a little pen outside with the police car and an airplane for them to ride around in. She loved it! I think this picture made it as her daddy's phone wallpaper.

Officer Jacob...he was disappointed there weren't any lights or sirens.

CONTACT!
I think the FAA should be afraid. Very afraid!

He just couldn't understand why the ladder wasn't there! How was he supposed to get into the F14 without the ladder?!

If it looks like he's just running across an empty field that's because he's running towards the SR71. It's a stealthy spy plane. You can't see it.

Reunited...

I bribed a nap out of Jacob with the promise of a visit to the Aviation Museum . It's there at the airport so we just left a little early to go pick up Daddy. Of course I forgot my camera. I did, however, have my new 21st century camera phone. Now I just have to figure out how to get those pictures off of the phone and onto my computer. So far no luck.

So, for your viewing pleasure, I have posted a couple pictures of the baby from this week. Her first introduction to the teething biscuit. I think she likes it. And I was reminded why we gave these to Jacob just before bath time.

Oh, and yes--I do clean this chair! I just happen to have very over achieving children. We find surprises behind the radiator all the time!

This is the toy that had them so excited the other night. The girls would have played with it forever if the boys hadn't been all rowdy! From the look on my daughter's face it would appear that one of these needs to be at our house!

An appropriate 100th post...

I came across this the other day. Nothing on where it came from or who said it--it was on a plaque in a catalog. Appropriate none-the-less.

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out and proclaiming, "Wow, what a ride!"

Though somehow I have a feeling I'll show up limping and scarred. That's fine. Guys dig scars.

Oh, that's why we have 3 vehicles!

Because only one at a time is capable of functioning without the danger of killing us all or leaving a crazy woman stranded with two very active children on the side of the road! Okay, so there's really only two vehicles I can use because apparently there are laws about me driving the squad car--some blather about impersonating a law enforcement officer or something.

Our faithful Jeep Cherokee--the official vehicle of Navy EOD personnel--finally received the tender loving care it so desperately needed and is once again back to getting a little more than 2 miles to the gallon. Since gas is up to somewhere close to "Sorry, kids, but we're walking today because Mama can't sell a kidney" prices, that's a good thing--because it has now been reinstated as the Mommymobile.

Returning home from dropping off Jacob at his playgroup this morning the rear tire of my beloved Jetta greeted me with smoking brakes. On the flight line we would call that "Hot Brakes" and the plane would be grounded for tire changes and fuselage inspection. In my driveway we call it, "Park the car, call the garage and transfer the carseats to the Jeep".

Have I mentioned that my husband has been out of town all week?

Friends...

We spent the afternoon and evening with friends today. There was a friend for each of us. A very pleasant way to spend the day. And the three of us were fed a wonderful meal!

My sister commented not too long ago that the pictures I put on here of my son were misleading--he truly is not a still child and neither is he serene. He has his moments. But then he's off once again. So, here you go...an action shot. Nice and blurry. Neither of my children managed to stay still for this one!

There are five months between the boys--Jacob is older--and five months between the girls with Kyleigh being the younger one.

Now all are asleep. And we have a day and a half until daddy comes home!

A two-foot-tall dinosaur eats anything it wants!

"Mommy! It's eating your people!"

"What?"

Thinking I could just turn my back for a second and wash dishes...

"Your little people. My dinosaur was really hungry and it ate your people!"

there's a head sticking out!

"Well, when it decides to spit them back out please put them back in their case so Kyleigh doesn't eat them as well."

"Is that because she'll choke and die?"

"Yep. She'll choke and die."

Glad some concepts are starting to sink in.

The little things...

Once upon a time when I worked full time once or twice a week I'd treat myself to breakfast out. Something yummy and so unhealthy from Panera Bread or some other coffee/bagel joint. I simply cannot afford to do that anymore--I have neither the free time or cash. Sigh.

Not too long ago, around the time our church started with Angel Food Ministry, the Woman In Charge, Christina--an angel herself...I mean, if humans turned into angels, which they don't...but if they did, she'd have glittery wings that shielded her from baby drool and other icks of mommyhood--hooked up with our local Panera Bread to receive their day old bread twice a week. She packages it all up and makes it available to anyone who needs/wants it. Most weeks she loads up a bag for me and brings it by--if I'm not home it gets left between the two front doors.

Today the baby and I managed to get out and go pick out our own bread. And there were pastries. Chocolate ones. The yummy gourmet ones with chocolate and almond paste. And it was delicious. While the pastry may not have been healthy, the eating of it was quite therapeutic.

Validation

Not for me, but for this here blog.

I started this as a desperate attempt at adult conversation. And it took on a life of it's own, evolving into so much more! It has become an outlet for all of these jumbled up thoughts inside my head--the ones that don't have a chance of sorting themselves out in a day full of, "Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy....mommy, mommy, mommy!"

It is a window into my world--for those morbidly curious enough to peek over the ledge. I've never attempted to be anonymous--just way too much work! It's hard enough to keep all of these real names straight!

My small, loyal group of readers started off as family and friends. And that small group has grown. And people keep coming back. I have felt nothing but love and support on the days I've just been down and out--and you laugh at my poop stories!

So, yeah, this is what I do when Husband is away. I write a thank you letter to my fans. Yep. Party.

And this what these two do when daddy is away--they stay in jammies all day! Well, it was rainy and we weren't going anywhere anyway. Do you see them reading? Isn't that precious! The baby isn't eating a book--really.

Just a word of caution...

If my next several posts come across as the ravings of a lunatic that would be because we just waved goodbye to daddy. Who will be gone all week. Back Saturday evening. Do the math--I am now outnumbered 2 to 1.

Someone please explain this to me. I have been shot at from across an airfield. I have been caught in the middle of riots. I've even witnessed the running of the bulls. And I've ridden a motorcycle on I10. Yet somehow, I am more terrified of being all by myself with two little ones for the week than I was of any of those things. Or maybe it's the fact that it now falls on me to clean out the cat's box.

Pssst...over here, go here.

He has the story to go with the pictures.

Don't be scared! He's friendly!

Coming out of the storm

Over the past several days we have been in and out of the doctor's office with the baby--twice yesterday. She developed a fever early in the week and it was hovering around 104 with no other signs of illness--other than plainly just feeling icky. She has been poked and prodded, bled and shot full of antibiotics. Yet still no answers on what actually made her sick in the first place.

My greatest fear is losing my children. My second greatest fear is leaving my children without a mommy. I have spent the last three days in fear and tension.

Following multiple nights of no sleep--two of those nights were spent just holding a crying child--last night we slept. All night. This morning there was no sign of a fever. She was playing and chasing her brother around. We did go back to the doctor first thing just for a follow up. The lab cultures were back and they showed no signs of bacterial infection. Whatever hit her was viral and she's on her way to being over it.

I'm now sitting here with a happy, healthy baby girl napping in her crib and a heat pad on my neck and shoulders since apparently that's where the tension decided to settle. The funny thing is, my greatest fear used to be running out of toilet paper. That is now a far distant 3rd.

This amazing picture was taken by my niece, Maia.
Sort of sums up the feeling I was going for here.

Housecleaning

Husband brought home new cell phones today. Even though I apparently have "issues" with change, I got a new phone as well. The last time Husband treated himself to a shiny new phone--I was left to contend with my old, not shiny phone--he, um, received an ear full on his thoughtlessness...um, I mean frugal-ness. So now I receive a new phone every time he is bored/frustrated with the old ones. Besides, I was feeling so 20th century with a phone that didn't take pictures!

A new phone meant transferring old phone data. Where's Foxmark for cell phones?! Scrolling through my contact list I found myself making decisions--does this person warrant a space on the new phone or not? When was the last time I actually used that number? I had people on my contact list whom I haven't spoken to in months--and in some cases, years. I've had the same cell phone number since we moved here. Everyone on that list also has my number. So why did I take a guilt trip simply because I hadn't made contact in so long? I'm the one that's been having babies and living a life of chaos. So, I decided it was time for some housecleaning and not everyone made the cut. On the other hand, however, two new numbers were added today. I guess it all does all even out.

Kimbilio

Swahili: refuge, sanctuary: a place of shelter, protection, or safety.

Never have I known a place more aptly named than Kimbilio. This is what my parents have chosen to name their home. This morning--early this morning--I sat out on the rear deck. Just me, my coffee and this:

With all of the chaos--within and without--over the past several months, it was just what I needed! Forget the fact that I slipped and fell yesterday--my tail bone missing a rock by this much and almost breaking my hand. Yet I managed to hold on to the baby! Then there was a flying poop incident at bath time. At one point I did request a day do-over.

But this morning, I had peace. Just me and the rain.

Things I learned today

When the electricity is off, the water dispenser on the refrigerator will not dispense water.

Other things that won't work without electricity--the clocks on the microwave, the coffee maker and the oven. I checked.

The human body does not consume hair. It will pass straight through and exit quite unchanged.

And little boys who play hard with their cousins and don't nap will fall fast asleep on the way home--snoring.

Just another day...

in the life of a 3-year-old.

looking for bugs

taking a popsicle break

more exploring

inspecting an ant while waiting for the frogs to poke their noses up in the pond

Yep. It was a good day. There was also exploring down at the river and an otter sighting. A good day indeed!

Once again I find myself failing at this blending in thing. Yesterday afternoon I wandered into my former place of employment and one of my former co-workers asked if I had any plans for the 4th. My first thought was...the 4th what? Oooh, riiiight. That 4th. Apparently it's a big deal in this country.

Honestly though, I think this is more of a case of me being so boxed up in my own little world the past several weeks than of me not knowing what the 4th of July means to this country. However, I have managed to complete the editing project--one technical snag after the other, but it's done and I'm half way proud of it. We'll see what my mom says when she sees the final product today--it's her boss that hired me!

I'm loading up the little ones and all of their accouterments--must it always look as if we're moving?--and heading out to spend the day with my family out at my parent's house.

So, anyway....Happy 4th of July everyone! And to my British readers....um, thanks?