In the 'Hood
November 3rd, 2009
November 3rd, 2009
Everyone has a shadow right? It appears on sunny days and silently follows you wherever you go. Sometimes it looks a little weird – tall and funny looking.
But my shadow is different. My shadow is with me all the time: rain or shine, night or day, cloudy or sunny – it’s always there. And it is anything but silent. It does follow me around but not doing what I’m doing – doing it’s own thing instead. See my shadow is 2 ½ years old and about 2 feet tall, it talk and moves NON-STOP. My shadow even has a name: Jackson.
Wherever I am, whatever I am doing – there he is.
Washing dishes? There he is opening all the cabinets, getting into the pantry, asking for milk, wanting a snack, opening the refrigerator, pulling cleaning supplies out and trying to use them – everywhere!
Bathroom? He’s there, pulling the toilet paper off saying he needs to blow his nose – yeah right. When I push him away and tell him to let me use the potty he says “hug Mommy.” Really? Right now while I’m using the bathroom. He then wants to sit on my lap, seriously?
Shower? There’s his little angelic face pressed against the door asking “done shower Mama?” To which I answer “not yet.” This goes back and forth until Daddy comes to rescue me.
On the computer? Right beside me typing on the keyboard, grabbing the mouse, pushing buttons, standing on the computer tower, getting into the drawers pulling out pencils saying “color Mommy.”
Laundry? AHHH, my favorite! He wants to help put the clothes in the washer, with no regard to light and dark colors. He wants to help put the clothes in the dryer, trying to close the dryer door after each article of clothing rather than waiting until all the clothes are in there. As I fold the clothes he nicely offers to help by unfolding all that I have done, so it takes me that much longer. And I hate laundry – so for it to take longer really wears me out.
Cooking? This is my favorite because no matter where I need to go, there he is. Opening the oven, reaching up to the stove (where he’s been warned will burn him), looking in the refrigerator and inevitably giving me his dinner order, which is either waffles or oatmeal – everyday!
Sitting on the couch? We have those great reclining couches that are so comfy except when you have a little one trying to crawl up on your lap by climbing on the footrest which makes the whole seat pop up from your very nice reclining position. You get the effect of a yo-yo. Back and forth, back and forth.
I just can’t understand why in a house our size (which is not huge, but a pretty good size) Jackson cannot be anywhere but UNDER MY FEET! I know they say (yes Mom – you) that this will be over far too soon and I’ll miss these days. I’m sure I will, but right now I really wish Jackson could learn the concept of “personal space!”
Then when I’m the most frustrated he flashes me his grin and says “love you Mama” and I can’t help but hug and kiss the little turkey! Then I remember one day he’ll be embarrassed to be seen with me and treasure that for right now I’m one of the most important people in his life.
September 17th, 2009
My sweet little angelic Jackson: he’s got the longest eyelashes, the most beautiful curly hair (which NO I haven’t cut yet) and these big blue eyes. And it’s a good thing he’s cute, because he’s rotten! Actually, he’s a sweet boy saying things like “thank you Mama” and “Bless you” (when someone sneezes) and “hug, kiss” (reaching out his arms for a hug) and “love you.” But, he is bossy. I mean really bossy. I think it’s part of being the youngest one. One of his nicknames is “little cub” because he’s the baby of the family.
The thing about our “little cub” is he’s pretty used to Mommy, Daddy and brothers doing things for him. At first it was cute little things he needed help doing, but now he’s just figuring we are all here for his entertainment and personal service. And to his two big brothers, now that he gets into their stuff, he’s not as endearing as he used to be to them!
An example of some of his bossiness:
“Help me Mama! Help me!”
“Milk, Mama, milk. Milk, Mama, milk.” (Repeat over and over for full effect)
“Frow Mama” (Translation: throw and it always involves some type of ball, usually one that’s very hard)
“Get it Mama, get it.”
“Gangket, pacy!” (Translation: blanket and pacifier, again repeat over and over for full effect, usually while I’m driving and can’t reach either of the items).
“I pay Wii, help me. I pay Wii!” (Translation: He wants to play Wii. The problem is he wants to change games every 15 seconds)
“Shh!” (This was done to me while I was singing a verse of “Wheels on the Bus” that he didn’t want to sing)
“I go home. I go home. I go home.”
“I get out. I get out.” (This when he’s in his car seat)
“I watch Eigo. Mama, I watch Eigo.” (Translation: He wants to watch Diego – or Dora – all the time)
“Mama. Mama. Mommy. Mom. Mommy. Mama.” To this I answer each time “yes, Jackson?” I get no response except to keep repeating my name, over and over and over. This is done, I’m almost positive, is his way of reminding me he’s still there.
Now, these things might seem like just mere requests, but they are not! They are given with great intensity and authority (of which he’s oblivious to the fact that as a 2 year old, he has none). Most often if his demands are not met immediately, his voice gets louder and the little vein on the side of his neck starts popping out.
So, we are working on teaching our precious “little cub” that while we love and adore him, the earth does not, in fact, revolve around him. A sad and realistic lesson for a two-year-old, but needed none the less!
August 31st, 2009
Here’s how I know I have officially entered “Motherhood.”
1. My favorite times of day are nap time and bed time.
2. My lunch, if I have any, consists of a partially eaten bagel bite and some Cheetos taken off my 2 year old’s plate as I’m cleaning off the table.
3. When I actually get a chance to go out with my husband, we don’t talk – just because it’s nice to have quiet!
4. I can’t say the word “backpack” without singing “Backpack, backpack – Yeah!” from Dora the Explorer.
5. I find myself watching SpongeBob and then realize my kids are nowhere in sight!
6. I can’t remember the last time I took a shower or used the bathroom without a boy coming in yelling “Mom…Mom….”
7. When was the last time I saw a movie that wasn’t animated or modeled after toys?
8. I actually said the dreaded mom thing when asked “why?” – “Because I said so!”
9. As I was searching through my contacts on my cell phone, I found a mysterious listing for “42.” I wonder who did that?
10. At night, when the boys are asleep and I go tuck them in, I think my heart may burst from loving these little ones so much. I thank God he has loaned me these 3 boys for their time on earth.
And this is the bizarre and joyful world of motherhood! One minute I feel like I may go crazy and pull my hair out and the next I want to cry because I love them so much. It’s a wild ride for sure!
August 22nd, 2009
Lest you think you too much of yourselves, your kids will keep you humble. It starts as soon you are pregnant. There’s nothing like pregnancy to make you loose your modesty. Then they are born. You are too tired to actually fix your hair and do make up, your clothes don’t fit and they may or may not match because, who really cares when you are so delirious from lack of sleep it’s a miracle you are standing up. Then there’s the fact that there always seems to be something on your clothes – spit up, dried peas or oatmeal – who knows. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to work only to have someone point to my shirt and say “you’ve got something on your clothes.” Great, just great. Nothing like feeling professional, put together and ready to take on the day only to discover you have dried oatmeal on your shirt (or something worse). Terrific!
Then there are the comments. If your lucky, they are in private, like when my six-year-old told me “Mom, did you know you have hair growing from under your arms?” Thankfully, that wasn’t in public. But, I’ve had some of those too. A few years ago we were at the mall and my oldest wondered out loud – very loud - “why does that guy have a thing through his head?” (It was an eyebrow ring.) AHHHH, great just great. Then there was the bathroom trip when out of shear curiousity I was asked – in a public bathroom – “Mom, how can you pee pee when you don’t have a pee pee?” Needless to day, that was the last time that child ever went into a bathroom stall with me.
You can hope and pray they don’t decide to tell all your secrets out in public. But, usually that’s just what they do right? Always in front of a crowd and always at the embarresment of their parents!
So, if you ever are feeling really confident and good about yourself thinking you are “all that.” Just wait, your kids will quelch that feeling, I promise. But, what makes funnier stories though – right?
August 1st, 2009
Now, I have no idea what similarities there are between teaching boys versus girls about bathroom etiquette. I grew up with 2 brothers and have 3 sons, so I have no idea about girls. And since I have no memory of my own experience, I only know that when it comes to the bathroom (and other things) boys are just gross!
I do have to preface this with the fact that there are positives about boys when it comes to using the “potty.” For example, when we are out in public and they need to use the bathroom I don’t have to completely line the entire seat trying to prevent any gross germs from touching them (well at least if they only have to pee-pee that is….). The other advantage that we have utilizied often (especially when traveling) is: when there’s no bathroom close by the woods do just fine!
But honestly, boys are inherently indifferent to bathroom rules. Here are my simple rules – which are ignored regularly.
Rule 1: Aim for the toilet bowl and ONLY the toilet bowl. It’s big enough, why can’t they seem to keep it in the bowl?
Rule 2: I don’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable ( if you have kids you are used to gross stuff) but I mean wipe. Always wipe, not just sometimes and not just a quick swipe. When they tell me “but I did Mom”, I can show them “proof” that they obviously did not wipe, let’s look at the dirty laundry!!!
Rule 3: FLUSH………I mean yuck. I seriously sometimes gag when I walk in the bathroom. Which I’m sometimes very afraid to do.
Rule 4: WASH YOUR HANDS. I don’t care if you didn’t “touch anything!” Just wash your hands…yes with soap.
The other mystifying thing to me is that the bathroom “stuff” doesn’t stay in the bathroom. For some unknown reason “bathroom stuff” is funny all the time. When they hear someone, either themselves or some stupid thing on TV, “tooting” (I’m trying to be somewhat polite) they absolutely fall over laughing. The most fun they’ve had in a while was playing with a remote controlled “Fart Machine” my mom and dad had. It made them roll over laughing. I just don’t get it. Honestly, I don’t.
Then just say the word “poop” and they laugh so hard they can’t breath. It’s just not that funny. Seriously, it’s not.
So, I realize that even after all the years of bathroom experience (Dawson with 6 years and Garrison with 3 years) I will always have to remind them of the rules. I’ve even considered posting them in the bathroom, but who am I kidding, it wouldn’t help. So, I’ll continue to yell through the house: Did you flush, did you wash your hands….I just try not to think about what happens when I’m not around.
July 15th, 2009
I’ve realized, just recently I suppose, that my time is divided into a limited number of categories: food, laundry, bed/nap times and “the bathroom” . Food, by far, takes up most of my time and energy.
It starts as soon as my eyes are open as my 2 year old stands by the bed saying “Mommy, wapple” (which means waffle). Even after I tell him okay, he continues to chant “wapple, wapple, wapple” until it is actually ready and in front of him. Then it’s on to the other two. Dawson (8) doesn’t like to eat first thing in the morning, so once everyone else is done eating is about the time he decides he wants breakfast. Right about that time is when Jackson (2) is wanting a snack or milk or juice. And, yes, as you might guess we are onto lunch, then dinner preparation.
But, we can’t just eat, we have to talk about eating. ”Mom, what are we having for dinner,” ”Mom, what is there to eat?” Then in response to a list of things I rattle off come the inevitable “I don’t want any of that, don’t we have anything else?” My reaction ranges from a very loud sigh or a “JUST PICK SOMETHING!”
Of course there’s also the battle with what they eat. We’ve had more than one stand off with Jackson as he has refused to take even ONE bite of dinner. So there he sat for over 2 hours while the “battle of the wills” raged on. He has learned, though, that Mommy and Daddy can outlast him. Well, Daddy can outlast him, Mommy was ready to call it a night after about 15 minutes. Garrison, thankfully, is a better eater than the other two and tends to be less high-maintenanced about the whole issue. Dawson will usually eat, especially when we threaten no dessert, but not without fan-fare. I made green beans the other night. Not the canned ones he’s used to, but fresh green beans. He ate them – complete with faces and shuddering as he forced them down.
If all the above isn’t tiring enough, there’s the grocery shopping. For this I need a detailed shopping list. I’ve even started categorizing the list : produce, dairy, meats, dry goods. That way I will be sure to get all I need. But, let’s be honest I usually still forget something.
Eating has never been a big deal to me. I like good food just like everyone else, but I don’t put a lot of thought into the matter. The fact that it now consumes a huge part of my life is tiring. Unfortunately with 3 boys I think I’m just getting started!
June 9th, 2009
A couple of weekends ago we took the 3 boys to Sea World. My parents had given us tickets for Christmas and we thought we’d go ahead and go before the summer crowds and Florida summer heat. What is so funny about amusement parks are my kids’ reactions to the whole event.
We haven’t taken the boys to many amusement parks, they are still young yet, so we haven’t felt the need to take out a loan for the trip, at least until they are tall enough to ride the rides. However, we have been to Sea World several times and Universal Studios once.
The first time we took Dawson to Sea World (that he could remember anyway) after about 30 minutes there he asked when we were going home. Bob and I just looked at each other thinking “seriously?” So, this time we have all 3 boys – our first amusement park visit with all of them. Dawson and Garrison were excited to be going and remembered in times past different parts about Sea World they liked. So, we took off to Orlando. After paying th for parking (I won’t even bother addressing that issue), slathering the kids with sunscreen (including my husband who insisted only his arms needed it), noting our parking spot (E28) and packing down the stroller – we were off on our trek to the entrance.
Once in the park we take care of bathroom stops, getting a map and such. Not 5 minutes into our walk through the park to the questions start. From Garrison (6), “I’m sooooo thirsty Mom. Can we get a drink.” From Dawson (8) “Can we go to the arcade.” (Which by the way costs additional money – YEAH). Again from Garrison “Mom, I’m really thirsty, can we get a drink.” From Jackson (2), who is in the stroller, “I get out.” From Dawson, “When can we go to the arcade?”
Already I’m tired and it’s been about 10 minutes now.
But, we get the place you can pet the stingrays, which they all loved, then on to see the dolphins. Next we see the Clydesdale Horses, which according to Garrison’s commentary are “boring.”
Now Dawson wants to go to the “kid’s area.” Here the go down tube slides and play in the water fountains that come up from the ground. Seriously, for a head they are going down slides and playing in water. Okay.
Then it was on to the Shamu Show. But first we needed ice cream because they were all soooooooo hot. Then the arcade – where we shell out money for the games. But, they had fun.
Our final stop was the dolphin nursery. I took a last restroom stop while the boys enjoyed the baby dolphins. When I joined them Garrison informed me (in his 6 year old voice) that the dolphins “communicate by whistling.” Good to know.
All in all it was a good day. But as I looked around the park and hot, crying kids and hasseled parents, I couldn’t help but think, it’s an expensive way to spend a day! I think the park and a sprinkler is a lot cheaper!
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