Our first outing

Today was my very first day to take both of my children out in public... alone. Jaye had a checkup scheduled... and I was extremely confident. I brought an extra bag full of toys, activities, and goodies for Grayson's entertainment. We got to the Doctor's office and I got a huge stack of papers to fill out for the baby (this was her first appointment, because of certain circumstances, we didn't have the one week check up.) So I am trying to fill out papers... I have Jaye wrapped comfortably in her carseat with Grayson beside me coloring- things were great.

And then...

Jaye started crying, she decided she was hungry even though I fed her 45 minutes earlier. Then Grayson sees an empty cup in the garbage, pulls it out and tries to drink out of it- YUCK! So I tackle him down and get him a clean cup and visit the water cooler. We get back to our seats, and I pull out my nursing wrap and start feeding the baby while Grayson, I have yet to understand how he came to this conclusion, decides that a cone shaped cup will stand on it's own and tries to set it on the seat beside ours and it dumps out all over the place. So Jaye is put on hold while we clean up our mess. I get back to feeding Jaye, and Grayson goes back to the water cooler.

Now, I'm not being biased here, but I have an extremely smart child... which is why I was EXTREMELY surprised when he tried to set the cone shaped cup down again.... so that mess gets cleaned up and I get back to Jaye. THEN, Grayson sees that whomever had just walked in, didn't close the front door all the way so he swings the door wide open and tries to run outside. I snatched the sleeve of his jacket just before he made it out, so I am sitting there nursing Jaye and probably squishing her head the way I was leaned over holding on to Grayson's jacket while he is flailing on the ground, screaming and trying to unhand me, and I'm also trying to keep my nursing wrap straight so I don't expose myself to the FULL waiting room. A kind mother finally came to my aid, and closed the door... while all those other people just sat and stared at the circus.

So finally we made it in to see the doctor. Things were great. Jaye is healthy. Grayson was mesmorized by all the doctor's tools and gadgets. We went back through the waiting room and he waves and says "HI!" to everyone and melts their hearts. Then he goes straight to the water cooler and just pushes the button so water is spilling out everywhere while I'm trying to schedule another appointment. Another little boy comes to join in the fun, but Grayson didn't appreciate the company and just shoves the poor sick kid over. The kid starts screaming so in front of everyone, I make Grayson say sorry and then I apologized to his mother... who was highly unappreciative.

And on that grand note, I hauled both my kiddos back to the car before we could give the waiting room more hilarious anecdotes to share.

The journey was rough. But I made it through! WOO! I am OFFICIALLY a mother of two!

More adventures in motherhood

Don't judge me... I know it's disgusting, but I haven't showered in almost a week. This is because

A) I'm flat out too tired.
B) Cleanliness is the last thing on my mind right now
C) Standing is about as comfortable as walking barefoot through gravel

And there are my excuses, but even I know it's time to shower when not even pulling my hair up can hide the "glossy shimmer" and a hat is my only option. So I showered. But Daddy wasn't home, and Grayson doesn't take naps so I had one option. He had to shower with me.

Here is my experience:

Grayson cried because he didn't like the water on his head... not in his face, just on the top of his head. As I shampooed, Grayson quickly nestled his back against the back of legs, so my rear end (which as we know has put on enough weight this pregnancy to act as a perfect umbrella) would shelter him. But while he was blissfully comfortable, I couldn't move or else I would knock over Grayson, or heaven forbid allow a few drops of water to wet his hair. So instead, I nearly drowned because my face was stuck right in the stream of water.

Toward the end, Grayson finally mustered the courage to stand, so in that moment I reached for the conditioner. In a tub full of bath toys (that could even keep me entertained) Grayson found joy in doing one thing: using my hiney as a set of drums. And he drummed... and drummed... and drummed. (I didn't realize my back end was so multi-functional.) As soon as the conditioner was rinsed out I hurriedly turned off the water and practically dove out of the bathroom.

Thus ended my first and LAST attempt to shower with my son.

But I learned something amidst this whole traumatizing ordeal... I think I will stick with wearing hats.

My poem

(I jotted this down at the doctor's office yesterday... if you can't tell, it was inspired by my wardrobe)

HELLO PEANUT BUTTER

Today I tried my hardest,
A fine look to achieve;
Coiffed hair, clean clothes, and make up…
But there’s peanut butter on my sleeve.

I just needed to do some shopping,
A quick run to the store,
But my child had it in his mind
We needed to do a little bit more.

I ran past an elegant woman
A true image of perfection,
With my hair flying out of place
As I chased my son in every direction.

They never tell you when motherhood starts,
The things you’re giving up.
Say “goodbye” to easy livin’,
And “Hello” to wearing lunch.

“Hello” to all those sleepless nights,
whining, “No!” Mine!” and “More!”
“Hello” to painful wounded feet
from stepping on those toys on the floor.

“Hello” to food smeared on the walls
and stains on all my clothes.
Goodbye to lids, toy parts, and keys,
Where they go… Nobody knows!

“Hello” to loves and snuggles,
giggling and constant fun,
dinner, bath time, family prayer,
and kisses when the day is done.

Goodbye to that elegant lady;
The one I passed as I ran down the street.
The one with jewels and Hollywood looks
And designer shoes on her feet.

I don’t wear fancy perfume
And I don’t own expensive clothes,
But the pearls of joy I string each day
Are more priceless than she knows.

Here I walk hand in hand with my child,
And really that’s all that I need.
Because I am a Mommy and I…
Am proud of the peanut butter on my sleeve.

Growing up....

In these past few weeks, Grayson has decided to grow up. He has officially retired his crib and only sleeps in his "Big Boy" bed (a twin mattress on the floor). Because of this new transition, he has also decided ONE WEEK BEFORE I HAVE ANOTHER BABY that he no longer needs to take naps!!! This is the worst stage he could possibly hit RIGHT NOW, but oh well... at least I have one week to adjust.

Grayson has also decided that he wants to go potty on the potty. Whenever he walks past the bathroom, he sees that gleaming porcelein reminder that "Hey, I don't have to wear pants!" and immediately strips down. (I don't think his desire to potty train has anything to do with going to the bathroom!) So, I spend my days with a clothes-less child (See video below). The other day he walked into my room while stripping off his diaper. I was still in bed, but attempted to talk him into keeping it on. He just looked at me and ripped it off. (Grayson loves to dance naked and combined with his speed and talent of ripping off a diaper, I'm beginning to worry about future career paths.)

Then I tried sweet-talking him into going to sit on the potty without my assistance (a desperate attempt to get five minutes more of rest). Grayson smiled at me sweetly as if he understood exactly what I was asking...

then peed in the garbage can.




...At least he has good aim.

Crazy kid!

This kid won't stop dancing for anything!

Our love food.

Last time I was pregnant I mentioned to my husband that I really wanted some doughnuts. The next day, he came home for lunch with his hand tucked behind his back and I was sooooooooooooo excited that my hubby would bring me flowers... until he unveiled the bag of doughnuts behind his back. Then I was mad. I wanted flowers. (Now, I can see how wonderful he was for listening to me, though. Don't judge me!)

Tonight I was in a bit of a sour mood because we had to cut our shopping trip short because of our whiney little boy. We stopped at Albertsons to buy bread and I sent Barry in by himself, because I was not going to try lugging Mr. Cranky-pants into another store. When Barry got back in the car, he surprised me with doughnuts. My favorite kinds of doughnuts. This time I didn't get mad.

So here I am eating my chocolate and maple covered doughnuts, and I realized something. I'd rather have doughnuts over flowers any day. Thank you husband... I love you.

And I. Love. Doughnuts.

Life....

When I was a senior in High School I was in a show called "Harvey" and our cast became close as family. We spent almost every night hanging out, including this tiny short little redheaded freshman boy. He was so full of life, and fun, and obnoxious because he wanted to be like all of us "cool" seniors.

I ran into him a year after I graduated and he was completely different... just running around the wrong crowd.

And I just found out yesterday that he died... something involving alcohol.

About the time I found out about my little freshman, I found out one of dearest friends is getting baptized.

She couldn't be happier and her outlook on life is so positive.

It just amazes me to see where our choices can take us.