Wednesday

Last night/this morning was brutal.  You know that something's out of whack when your  2 1/2 month old sleeps better than your 4 year old.  For some reason, Bode was up all night.  It started at 1:32 AM.   He busted into our bedroom, crying loudly. I hopped out of bed and pushed escorted him out  of the bedroom quickly (for fear Nico was going to wake).  The thing about Bode is, he never does anything quietly. The tears and cries are at top volume, so it makes everything seem much more dramatic than it is (especially at 1:30 AM). Then he was up and down for the rest of the morning.  It seemed like we would fall asleep, and Bode would be back, busting through the doorway, loudly announcing something. RWF would hop out of bed and take Bode out of the room.  It was like that movie Groundhog Day, only worse. RWF took the brunt of it, because I was usually crashed out after feeding Nico.  I would wake when I heard Bode, but I'd still be asleep (if that makes sense) so his waking me was more like a recurring dream. No idea why Bode was up. He wouldn't say and there was no apparent cause.  

This little guy is almost 3 months old.  It is so hard to believe.  This morning I was kissing him, thinking about how fast it is going, and wiping away my tears.  He is just so sweet.  I'm really enjoying the baby-ness of him right now and don't want it to end.

I sometimes have to worry about Gianna, and the effect the baby has on her.  The other night, she accidentally/on-purpose dropped 2 hard cover books on Nico's head.  I was changing Nico, and cooing at him/kissing him/feeling his soft little feet. Gianna kept saying, "Read dis. Read DIS. Read dis, Mommy!" and I kept saying, "Okay, I will..."  Well apparently I took too long with Nico for her liking.  She walked over and dropped the books on Nico's head.  She looked at me, full of attitude, like, "I said, READ DIS...." I looked at Nico. Nico looked at me all surprised and hurt, like, "Why did you do that to me?! I thought you loved me!" and then immediately burst into tears and crying. I felt so terrible.  I yelled at Gianna.  Gianna and Bode both started crying. And RWF came running into the room.  Drama!

Happy Wednesday.

xo

Delivery

I found out last week that my local grocery store has started home delivery.  I was very excited with this news. One, because I hate (hate) taking Nico into stores. It makes me nervous, the idea of him being exposed to all those gross germs. Two, I refuse (refuse) to brave the store with 3 children.  And two of my children drink milk like it's going out of style. And my husband drinks smoothies made of spinach and bananas like they are going out of style.  So I have to go to the store frequently. Yesterday, it was pouring. And I had one gallon of milk left. RWF will tell you that when I am down to 1 gallon of milk in the fridge, I get nervous. 

I did not want to take Nico out in the rain and into the grocery store. And I certainly did not want to take 3 children out in the rain and into the grocery store.  So, I utilized the new home delivery. 

It took some time to navigate the website and pick out the items that I wanted. But it was also kind of fun, too.  The store is waiving the $15.95 delivery fee for this month, as long as you spend $100 or more in groceries. Easy for me to do.  The downside is, they don't have same-day delivery.  

Today I received my order of groceries.  The delivery guy arrived at my doorstep with his handy-dandy credit card swiper in hand, along with a dozen red roses.  First, he presented the roses to me with a flourish, announcing, "These are for you! Thank you for your order."  I love fresh flowers in my home. And I was more than happy to receive the roses. But I couldn't help thinking that the flowers did kind of have a 1950s housewife air to it. Or maybe that's just my own insecurity about my lifestyle popping out.  Don't get me wrong - the roses are in a vase on my counter and they are beautiful. 

It was really nice to sit in the comfort of my warm home, in my socked feet, and have my groceries brought into my kitchen for me.

The only mistake in order, which may have been my fault, was the 7 bunches of bananas (instead of one bunch).  I called the store while the delivery man was here. The store rep and I had a good chuckle over the amount of bananas, while the delivery guy stood nervously nearby in our entryway. "Do I need to do anything?" he asked anxiously.  I think he was afraid that he was going to have to do a refund transaction on his handy-dandy credit card machine. A refund transaction that he didn't know how to do.

I am a fan of in-home delivery.

Happy Tuesday.

xo

Are you ready for the big guy?

Not this big guy:

The other big guy. The one in the red suit. The big guy who says, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" The big guy. You know.

We are ready.  Bode knows who Santa Claus is, but I don't think Gianna is quite there yet.  We are reading Christmas stories every night now. In fact, I took out all of the regular books and replaced them with Christmas stories.  So they don't have a choice...they get Christmas stories whether they want them or not (oh, don't worry...they want them).

I think a visit to the mall Santa might help. But oh geez.  I can't even think about how to do that. The logistics frighten me. And there's NO WAY that this little dude is going to our petri dish of a mall:

He is just too precious to expose to that. My other two monkeys are precious, too. But I think they'd get a kick out of seeing Santa.  We'll see...maybe we'll do it. Maybe we won't. That's the beauty of the children being so young right now. I can decide these things without them knowing the difference. 

I'm also thinking about doing an advent calendar. A small number so that Bode and Gianna can get into it without it being too long of a wait for them.  So maybe it's not an advent calendar but a 'countdown' calendar. 

What Christmas prep do you have left? What Christmas specials do you have to watch in order for it to feel like Christmas? I have to see Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. And no Christmas is complete without viewing National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Gianna insists on watching "Frosty" every day. I think it's because that is the only word that she remembers, and she can't think of the other specials. I'm a softy this time of year and usually give in. The weather also stinks (rain) so it's easy to just turn on the TV and not worry about going outside.  As an added bonus, I get dinner done while they watch "Frosty."

What is on your "must-do" for Christmas?  Fudge, cookie baking, caroling, etc?  

Here is what I like to do (tradition):

* Visit Santa (BIG maybe)

* View Christmas lights in a neighborhood

* Bake/decorate sugar cookies

* Make fudge (I may have to try making Lauren's yummy peanut butter fudge this year!)

* Wrap presents

* Good and Bad List (this is going to have to wait until the monkeys are older)

* Watch Christmas specials

* Eat cheese and other party foods (whether or not I'm at a party)

There are other activities but I'm drawing a blank. Lucky for others, I do not have caroling on my list. Does anyone actually go caroling anymore? Or is that just stuff we read about in our Christmas stories? (Is caroling a verb? Or is it carol? Or is Carol just the name of Mrs. Brady?  I'm sooo confused. Remember the Brady Bunch episode when Mrs. Brady had the solo in the Christmas choir concert, but she lost her voice? Didn't Cindy ask Santa to giver her mommy a voice so that she could sing? Something for you to think about.)

Happy Monday.
xo

Kickin' it old school

This week, the weather has been...meh.  Cold, rainy and windy.  We have spent the afternoons indoors. And that means that this mommy has got two crazy, cooped up toddlers on her hands.  

Tuesday afternoon, I made paper snowflakes with Bode while Nico and Gianna napped. Bode loved it.  He thought it was the neatest thing ever.  I had a lot of fun with him. It was a great way to spend a (quiet) hour with my firstborn.

There are a ton of tutorials online for different holiday crafts. But this was easy and convenient because we had the tools right here (white paper, scissors).  Please do not call or email me to warn me of the hazards of a child with scissors. I did all the cutting myself, and was very cautious about keeping the scissors out of his reach.

Speaking of hazards, on Wednesday, my firstborn came home from school looking like this:

It looked a lot more red and angry when I first saw him.  In fact, when I first saw him, my heart skipped a beat because I thought it was blood.  I think he took off  the first layer of skin falling down on the playground. I think. His details are sketchy.  

And speaking of old school crafts, this is what he did at school that day:

He was very proud of his popcorn garland.  His teacher said that he is a whiz with a needle and thread. Her exact word was "meticulous."  So I guess despite being kind of klutzy on the playground, Bode Wm has a possible future in textiles. Or maybe Christmas decor? Or bird feeding?

On Thursday, we put up the Charlie Brown tree in the playroom. There are currently 212 ornaments lying about in various places in the playroom, mixed in with cars, Legos and crayons. And maybe 3 ornaments actually on the Christmas tree. I'm trying hard to not let it get to me.  I'm trying really hard to be all, "Fa la la la...laaaa" about the whole thing and not yell about taking the tree down if the ornaments don't stay on it. 

And that was the biggies of our week.   

Happy weekend.

xo

First...father-son trip!

RWF and Bode went on their first father-son trip.  They went to Beaver Creek, CO to attend the Audi Birds of Prey.

They left on Wednesday morning. I was, quite frankly, shocked that it was actually happening.  One, I couldn't believe that I had agreed to this little adventure. And two, since RWF has been traveling so much for work, I honestly thought (hoped?) that he would not have the energy to fly across the country with his 4 year old son for a quick vacation.

But leave they did.  And the first photo RWF sent me was a snap of Bode inside the airport Starbucks. And a sob traveled up my throat when I saw my sweet boy's big eyes peering back at me. He was  holding a clear plastic container of milk in his hands, with a big green straw in his lips.   "What have I done?" I thought.  I proceeded to worry about all the things that could go wrong, all the things that RWF may not interpret from Bode correctly (i.e. to "our" way of doing things), all the rushing, all the forgetting to feed and sleep and pee/poo, etc. etc.  

Honestly, I trust RWF completely.  He is a great dad, and he is, if I am completely honest, much more patient and "reads" Bode better than I do. 

RWF called me several times on the way. But it was when they first got into their hotel room that it sunk in: they are really gone. RWF asked, "Which bed do you want, Bode?" and I heard Bode exclaim, "This one!" Despite the long day of travel, I heard joy in Bode's voice. 

Why did I do it? Why did I let them jet off across the country together?  Because it is important to RWF to have this time with Bode. Because it is special that they do this together. Because these memories are for the two of them. Because there are a dozen reasons to do it, and only one not to (selfish, scared me).

They had a great time. They rode on airplanes. They ate snacks. They saw the sunshine, the snow, the people, and some world class ski races. They hung out in their hotel room.They ordered room service.  They played at a park. They traveled (well) together.

And most important of all, Bode got to spend time with his dad, all by himself. He got his dad's undivided time and attention for 3 whole days while taking a very special trip. And hopefully, he will remember this trip forever.  And even if he doesn't, I will remind him of it for as long as I am able to.  Because Bode is a very lucky boy to have RWF as his daddy.  And I am very lucky to have RWF as my partner and father to my children.
xo

Aunt Melinda and Thanksgiving

Bode 2010

Gianna 2010

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!  I am super excited today.  I went to the grocery store and bought all my Thanksgiving food. Tomorrow, my dear sister Melinda arrives!  I can't wait to see her!

It is a holiday near and dear to my heart. One, because I love Thanksgiving. Two, because my mom and sister always visited during Thanksgiving. My mom (and sister) would cook the entire Thanksgiving meal in our tiny, sparsely equipped kitchen - no easy feat! But my mom did it, wonderfully and without complaint.  Bode was just 7 weeks old on his first Thanksgiving, and my mom and Melinda were there.  They were also there for Gianna's first Thanksgiving, too. And, Melinda will be here for Nico's first Thanksgiving, too! I have many happy memories of Thanksgiving in California, mainly because my mom and sister were with us.  

Last night, I talked to Bode and Gianna about Aunt Melinda visiting. We talked about what we will do (go to Starbucks, Congress Park, the park...) and what we would eat for Thanksgiving (turkey, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, etc.).  Bode and Gianna are excited for Aunt Melinda to visit, too.

This year, it is going to be sad without my mom.  But I am so happy that my sister will be here with me! 

Melinda and Gianna 2010

I'm so excited to see Melinda tomorrow!

xo

Thanksgiving

This year, we celebrated Thanksgiving a little early.  I roasted a turkey breast, cooked green beans, brussels sprouts, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, black olives and pumpkin pie (store bought).  I have to say, I have no idea how I pulled this off with 3 children! I was so nervous about getting it all done, and surprising RWF.  And I did!!!  Thanks to Nico for napping like a champ on Saturday, and to Bode and Gianna for playing so well on their own.  I think I really surprised RWF, too. 

I didn't snap any pics of dinner. I was just so happy sitting at the table, surrounded by my family and with good food to eat.  There were some mental snaps that I took, like the one of Gianna stealing olives off of RWF's plate.  She was so funny. She got out of her high chair, walked over to his side of the table and without even looking at RWF, took one olive off of his plate, ate it, took another olive, ate it and repeated until they were all gone. RWF looked incredulous and asked me, "Do you see this?"  Yes, I do and it is hilarious.  Another mental snapshot would be when I served everyone a piece of pumpkin pie.  I turned to grab napkins, and when I passed them out, I saw that Bode had picked up the pie in his hands and started eating it, pointy side first.  And then Gianna followed her big brother's lead. And then RWF said, "When in Rome," and picked up his pie with his hands and ate it.  (I ate mine with a fork.)

As our usual custom, we went around the table and each person said one (or more) thing that they are grateful for.  Then we stated which food of the Thanksgiving meal was our favorite.   RWF stated that he loved the sweet potatoes, but also thought the brussels sprouts were good, too. I said that the brussels sprouts were my favorite.  Bode said that he liked the turkey the best.  And Gianna couldn't/wouldn't tell us  her favorite, but judging by how much she ate, we think it was the sweet potatoes (or, olives!).

It was a nice little weekend.

Watching "the game" after Thanksgiving.

In other news, Nico is getting so big!  He weighs 12 lbs 2 oz now.  Bode had an appointment with the pediatrician on Thursday. I snuck Nico onto the baby scale when nobody was looking (so, he was also clothed instead of bare naked).  I was dying to know how much he weighs.  He certainly feels heavier these days.  He has more 'heft' when I lift him. He does not fit so neatly on my chest when I burp him.  But he is oh-so-snuggly still, and I just adore him!

Sunday morning Nico and I lounged in bed a little longer than normal.  Bode joined us.  Nico just adores Bode, and always gives him smiles.   I think  he knows that Bode is special.  And then RWF came in from working out and joined us. We talked about our day ahead, and it was a great way to start the morning. I'd love it if all our mornings started out that way.

Gianna started riding her bike this past week. And now, that is all she wants to do. "Ride bike! Ride bike? Ride bike? Go ride bike!"  It is really cute. 

I am SO BIG! RAWR!

Twins

Triplets

Friday, I was thankful to one of Bode's teachers for talking to me.  There I was, nervous (again!) about Bode, toes gripping the edge, feeling my way with my back against the wall, fearful and tearful, and his teacher talked me down from the ledge, in her low, soothing voice. And my dear friend in Texas calmed me, too, when I confided in her.  This was all done over email, but even still, I could hear her voice and it was just like we were sitting across from each other. Everything is okay...just the normal nerves that come (and go) with being a mommy. We mommies have to stick together!

Friday afternoon, I was feeding Nico and my feet were bare and freezing.  I asked the baby sitter if she had seen my socks (because I had kicked them off earlier).  She said that she had not and went on her way. A few minutes later, she came back with a clean pair of socks, and put them on my feet for me. And then she gave my feet a vigorous rubbing to warm them up completely. It was such a sweet, unexpected gesture. 

And that is just a sampling of what I am thankful for this past week.  I am looking forward to this week, the actual Thanksgiving Day countdown begins!  I am lucky because I get two Thanksgivings this year! 

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

Happy Monday.

xo