Most Annoying Question(s)

OK I'm going to go on a little rant today.... so I apologize ahead of time.

• When you're single the most annoying question was... "Are you seeing anyone?"
• When you're dating someone it's... "When are you getting married?"
• When you're married it's... "When are you having kids?"
• When you're pregnant it's... "When are you due?  What are you having? Have you picked a name?" (although admittedly none of those bothered me)
• When you have your first child it's... "Are you going to have another?"

In most cases those are really innocent questions and I'm just as guilty of asking them of people.  I've learned from experience that not everyone wants to get married.  Not everyone is sure that they're at a good position in life to be married.  And never ask about kids!

For those who don't know, Drew took 9 months to conceive.  Month after month being disappointed, but it happened and we're blessed with an awesome kid.

We've been trying for #2 for much longer without luck and it's a sore subject.  So please stop asking me if we want more kids.  The answer is - yes.  And for heaven sakes stop asking me when - I wish I knew!

While you may think its an innocent question all it does is remind me (and others who can't get pregnant just by thinking about it) that I've gone yet another month without getting pregnant.  My goal was to have kids two years apart... and with Drew turning 3 next week obviously that's not possible.  And there you have it. So please for my sanity, stop asking!

OK rant over.  Have a great long weekend!

Heat Wave!

For about the third time this summer we've experienced a heat wave. This is by far the coolest summer  I've ever experienced.  But since it was hot again and Daddy was at his softball game, Drew and I went back down to the pool.

He was so excited about his muscle suit last time that he asked for it again.  That and his floatie.  He was in the water all by himself when he went in the deep end (the water was too cold for me to get all the way in).  But have no fear, I was right on the side of the pool in case I needed to jump in quickly.

He did great in the water.  I know he'll love it when his swimming lessons start (the day after his birthday).

Only one thing, he refused to use a towel to dry off. Instead he did kangaroo hops around the pool.  After about 1 1/2 laps he decided he was dry enough to walk home.

I managed to get the "muscle man" in between the little hops.

Puzzle Fanatic = Proud Mama

Since Drew was about 14 months he's been addicted to puzzles.  We have videos of him telling us his shapes from puzzles that were geared toward 3 year olds back before he was even a year-and-a-half old.



Since he's mastered all the puzzles that are supposed to go into a defined slot - we've tried finding more challenging puzzles. He loves the difficult ones at school... which he mastered within about a week.

So when Drew and I went to Grammy and GrampC's on Saturday he was excited to pull out the state puzzle - the same one we had as kids. (I went through a phase in 3rd grade where I wanted to know all the state capitals - and had a map in my room where my dad would quiz me every night. Maybe it's because we moved so much as a kid and we visited a lot of those states. Or maybe I was just a dork.)

 

He's liked this puzzle for the last several visits - you know, to take every piece out and then leave a puddle of pieces for someone to put back together.  Well this trip it was different.  He shocked us by knowing where several of the states belonged as he put them away himself - even if they weren't in their correct spot they were in the right vicinity!

We knew he was familiar with California's location, but  were shocked to find out he knows where the state of Texas, Florida, Montana, Idaho, New York and several others were. Oh and I was really impressed when he was actually reading the state capitals off the backs of some of the states.  Like Arkansas... he told me it was Little Rock.  My jaw dropped at that one.  Must be those sight words kicking in.

Kady was there too, but could really care less about the puzzle.  She tried to help Drew remove the pieces until he got all OCD about where she was putting the pieces.  She resorted to showing off that she was a musical prodigy.

 

OK so our kids aren't exactly geniuses, but we're proud of them anyway!

Making Our Rounds

On Saturday after Drew's slumber party, we hopped in the car and headed over the hill to see Grammy and GrampC and as a bonus Cousin Kady and Auntie Lisa were there.  The goal was to see GG who was released from the hospital the day before.

After running some wedding errands and some personal errands for myself (we're trying to figure out what to do for window treatments for our slider) Drew and I joined Grammy, Auntie Lisa and cousin Kady to see GG.

She was doing as well as can be expected and bless her heart she was able to survive two tired toddlers running around her place.  I'm sure the neighbors downstairs weren't as excited to the hear the pitter patter of little feet as GG was.

Kady who in the past has been the peach when taking pictures with GG decided not to cooperate this time.  Drew on the other hand who is normally the pill, gave his famous cheese face.

After nearly two hours we figured GG had enough and we should relieve her of the "joy" - not to mention mess - two toddlers can create and let her get some rest.

First Sleep Over

It was "party central" here on Friday night.  Dave was out of town most of last week and through the weekend (in Memphis for work) so I figured what the heck - why not have a few friends over to keep us company.  So Mason and Troy came over for a sleep over - their first as well as Drew's.

It was a great time!  I picked up Troy and their booster seats and then we were off to the preschool to gather Drew and Mason - who were all so excited about the night ahead.

We got to the house and then walked over to the nearby elementary school where there's a few playgrounds and a big grassy area to hit some golf balls.  This mama was thinking if we could get some energy used up the bedtime routine would go a bit more smoothly - ha!

Front L-R: Troy, Mason, Drew headed to the park

L-R Monkeys - Drew, Troy, Mason

After it started to get late, the boys reluctantly left the park with the promise of pizza for dinner.  And while we were eating dinner and waiting to get our PJ's on we watched the "Wizard of Oz" - Troy's pick.

But about 7:30 it was time for lights out and the feature presentation - "James and the Giant Peach".  Well the boys had their pick of that or "Kung Fu Panda" - and the "apple" won. (that's what they called the movie at first).

L- R: Drew, Troy, Mason

About 9:15pm I made the move to try and get them to bed.

Drew fell asleep within about 5 minutes.  Mason and Troy used every ploy in the book to stay up.  They were thirsty - our house rule is water only and in a big cup (no sippies).  They weren't happy with that, but after about 20 minutes of off-and-on negotiations I won.

Then I'd no sooner get 1/2 way down the short hallway from Drew's room to my bedroom and I heard Mason and Troy saying they had nightmares.  We're talking less than 10 seconds since I was last in their room.  So we had a discussion about what their dreams were like - and I finally said you boys weren't even asleep.

I get to my bed and within minutes I can hear the toy box and closet being opened in search of toys.  Back to the room I go to get them to settle down.  Oh we even tried the game "let's see who can be the quietest the longest"... um everyone failed miserably - including my son (this game was played/lost as soon as the boys were put into the room.

After about an hour I moved Drew into his bed so he wouldn't get nailed by things I'm sure were flying across the room - and then put Mason and Troy on the opposite side of the room.  Troy then crashed immediately.  Mason was fighting it for another hour and finally gave up.

Don't mistake that I was mad or anything - tired yes.  Mad no - I fully expected what I got.  I honestly thought Drew would be as much an instigator.

See we all survived the evening - Drew and Mason were up at 6am - Troy an hour later.

Note to self - next sleep over have both parents home to tag team!  It really was a great time.  And days later Drew's still talking about everything the boys did.  He just loves to play with his friends!

You Came Back To Me!

After a 5 day business trip to Memphis Tennessee - Dave's home again.  When Drew woke up from his 3 1/2 hour nap yesterday he started whining as he sometimes does after waking up from his slumber.

But when he heard Dave ask "is somebody up" all we heard from our bedroom was Drew say - "uhhhhh".  And then a few moments later Drew peeks around the corner and proclaims:

"You came back to me!!!" And jumps into Dave's arms!

It really was a sweet moment.  And then a few minutes later the boys were going through all the "presents" that came back from Memphis with Daddy.  Check out our little rocker...

Yes a blow-up air guitar and a Memphis headband.  Drew was in heaven.  Daddy had a proud moment as he's "singing" some VanHalen in the background.

Dear Mr. Sandman...

Dear Mr. Sandman,

Would you please bring my nearly 3 year old son a peaceful night sleep?  I mean for the past few weeks, you've been plaguing him with nightmares, night terrors and other restlessness that results in sleep deprivation for this mama.

Can you please giving him a happy dream about "spinners" or baseball.  It's not nice to torment him with dreams of "a big man telling him there are no chicken and french fries".  Or having "Daddy eating all of his waffles".  It's better than the night terrors you send his way and the incessant screaming at the 2am or 4am hours.

But please.  Cut this exhausted mama some slack.  Send happy dreams his way.

Thanks in advance,
Mommy