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Friday, March 30, 2007

Blogger Spring Break

This past week was the boys' spring break, and since as of late the blog has been about as exciting as watching the paint dry, I took my "Blogger's Spring Break", and thoroughly enjoyed it too. I filled my time the old-fashioned way--with a book. And not the normal chick-lit fluff I normally clog my brain with...nope this time it was real, gritty literature called The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It's about "Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy through the horrific invasion of the Taliban." The story itself is fiction, but the events are straight from the history books, and it truly is amazing how little I knew about the place. Afghanistan, even in its glory days, was a completely forgotten country until 9/11 essentially put it back on the map. I don't remember learning anything about it in school. The only world history we ever learned was history that had to do with the western world. I guess now Afghanistan and the rest of the Middle East have become part of that and our children will be studying it. Anyway, I had no idea it was such a modern and cultured place before the conflict began over thirty years ago. What it has become and what we see on the news is all I've ever learned about Afghanistan until now. I'd recommend this book to anyone, but I think Mandy would especially like it.

Anyway, on to the real reason you all read my blog--the kiddies. They have had a fun time together the past few days. Over the weekend, we took them to a friend's pond where the fish are practically trained to bite the line. Patrick was all for it until until he saw the first fish that came up--a catfish--and said he wasn't going to have anything to do with fish that had whiskers. He spent the rest of the time running away when ever anyone got a bite. We did finally get him to pose with one of the bigger ones, but that was it.

Tuesday I took them to a petting zoo which was being showcased by my college's agricultural department. Patrick took a special interest in what was under the cow (yes, Katie--a cow and yes, I thought of you when I snapped the picture), but there were also horses, goats, bunnies and lambs. Ben had the most fun scaring the poor goat to death by screeching and rattling its cage. Ever the good blogger, I patiently snapped pictures instead of removing Ben to spare the poor goat's life...

The rest of the time, we've just been hanging around the house playing outside and watching our favorite shows. It really warms my heart to see the boys playing together the way they do now. They seem to really like each other. Now...how do I make it last???

Happy Spring Break Bloggers!

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Pride (In the Name of Love)

I normally prefer to bring a little comic relief into my life by making fun of my family on the blog, but today I have to take a moment to jive. I am unmistakably proud of my husband, who has gone and landed himself a job as a firefighter! And I'm stoked not only because the whole application process is somewhat competitive and he really had to prove himself, both physically and objectively, but also because this is something he has wanted to do for a long time. And I think sometimes when we become adults and have families, it's hard to keep sight of what we really want, and we sometimes forget to chase our dreams. I mean, my dream is to sit here family-free for a year, but doing that at this point in my life would make me sort of a deadbeat prick-type mom, so that'll have to wait...but I digress. Anyway, my point is to say that I'm proud of him for following his dreams, and making the huge effort of going to work every day, followed by school in the evening for twelve hours every week and then coming home to hit the books, and then getting back up the next morning and doing it all over again, without ever complaining.

So here's to Luke, who is my hero and definitely Patrick's hero, and well, Ben just loves his daddy, so he's Ben's hero too. Congrats to you for going after and getting what you want! We love you and we're behind you all the way!!

Friday, March 23, 2007

Flashback: A Dog Grows Up

From bundle of yellow fur...

To bundle of complete neurosis...

Yesterday I sat on the patio watching Savannah and wondering how it had all come to this. She spent much of the afternoon licking the cement and fighting with her shadow, stopping only to wrinkle her forehead in puzzlement when it disappeared. When she caught sight of the light reflected on the side of the house by my camera lens, it was all over. She canceled all other appointments in order to spend the rest of the afternoon with her nose pressed to the siding, waiting with unabashed anticipation for something, anything to happen. Honestly, she used to be so cute and sweet. I don't know at what point exactly that she lost her marbles, but I think it was around the time when we used to torture her by shooting laser pointers all over the house for cheap entertainment. My apologies, girl.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

For Katie...

...who always likes new ideas for preschool crafts. Patrick brought this home today and I thought it was a trip. And by trip, I mean look at this dude's face...that's not just any old grass he's growing...

Yes, preschool can be an enlightening experience kids. You can really come out of it with an altered state of mind, if you know what I mean. Haha! I kid of course--I'm not implicating Mrs. Cindy of anything (although with eleven boys in her class, I wouldn't begrudge her a little "medicinal" help to get through the day). She's a great teacher and I thought this project was adorable. As she pointed out to me, you can cut his hair when it gets too long. I just hope I remember to water him.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Post from the Clearance Bin

We went for a walk around the lake last night, which is always an adventure of some sort. Patrick was feeling hammy, it seems. He started out by doing his best wind-up doll impersonation. All he needed was yellow braided pigtails, a dainty frock and two red circles on each cheek and he'd be shelf-ready.

The lake trail is about mile long, give or take a half-mile (that is, I have no idea how long it is, except I know it's too long for a four-year-old, but we're mean parents and we don't care). He always starts out walking, but last night he needed to "take a rest" realllly soon. Don't ask me what's up with the face...he's not my kid. He looks like an old man who's coon dog just let one rip.

Speaking of smells, this was one of the best shots I could get in front of this Bradford Pear. The poor kid pleaded with me: "Mommy let's go, it smells like pee-pee." Well, yes it does...in fact, it smells like something a lot worse, but let's not go there. Just smile so I can take the picture.

A good son smiles through his suffering.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Meet Dylan

This weekend, some friends of Luke's family were in town from Kentucky, and Patrick got to meet his newest buddy, Dylan. Patrick's Pa and Dylan's grandpa have been best friends since childhood, and they each had two sons who grew up hanging out a lot...so naturally, they were very excited about getting a third generation together for some manly fun. The boys did not disappoint. They bonded over Dylan's toys from the movie Cars, which Patrick has never seen but apparently still loves. He's such a people-pleaser.

Dylan's 3rd birthday was just a few days ago, so of course that meant an impromptu birthday party. This is where I came to really like him; see him disdainfully eyeing the cake? He is a kid after my own chocolate-loving heart. Get this--the boy refuses to eat any sweets other than chocolate chip cookies. How great is this? How can I get my own kids to see this point of view? I don't know why it appeals to me so much, but I love it.

Anyway...while Dylan munched on his cookies, everyone else chowed down on cake, and then he opened presents, which mainly consisted of 1) Cars merchandise and 2) Cars merchandise. Oh all right, there was a little Thomas thrown in for good measure. But the boys had a good time playing with it until it was time to leave, at which point Patrick became insanely jealous and decided that if Dylan was going to be able to keep all the good stuff while he left empty-handed, then maybe he didn't like him so much after all. Tough break, kid...it's only nine months till Christmas.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2007!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Wilson the Imp

Wilson would like for you to think his life is tough...I mean, look at the pathetic expression, the Yoda ears, and for all we know he's hiding mutant paws behind that outdoor fireplace! But don't be fooled by his take on gansta rap, people. This dog hasn't been street-wise in a loooong time. He's got the good life like few other dogs have ever known! So he had to sit in the rain for five minutes today while I tended to the human subjects he's forced to share a house with...we can pity him now, but at 11:00 tonight--trust me--he'll be warm and cozy on my pillow, dreaming about three-legged squirrels and milk bones...

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Ben celebrates his 16-month birthday

Another warm day yesterday, so we all headed outside to get really dirty and put more holes in the knees of our pants. Ah, well...what's a mom of two boys to do? It's best to just not fight it and let them become one with the earth. So instead I lounged in the hammock and got some cute shots...

And then it happened...

There are no words to describe the moment, so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Everyone else is doing it...

The Firstborn Survey (with the second-born thrown in for good measure):

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
no
yes

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
yes to both

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
went and got my childhood teddy bear and cried in bed since Luke was in the New Mexico wilderness for two weeks with no way of contacting him
said "huh", woke up Luke to tell him and then went back to sleep

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
That is a disgusting question

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
25
28

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
home test, both times

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
Mandy (see #3)
Luke (see #3 again)

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
yes, I had just painted the extra room light blue and I wanted to know if I would be re-painting
yes again, for no reason this time

9. DUE DATE?
March 2, 2003
November 7, 2005

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
yes, both times

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
strawberries and milk
peace and quiet

12. WHO IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
living people
my firstborn

13. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
I hoped for a girl with both, until I found out, then it was like "oh well!"

14. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
20
25

15. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
yes--many
no ( I feel like this is the wrong answer, but I can't remember having one)

16. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
I knew about them all.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
no, neither time

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Floyd Medical Center both times. Great L & D staff...they made me feel like I was the first and only person to ever have a baby. The first time, Luke's uncle Tom was a floor below me giving birth to a kidney stone.

19. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
36
less than 6

20. WHO DROVE YOU THE THE HOSPITAL?
Luke--it was a leisurely drive. We stopped at CVS for film and stuff.
Luke--a little more manic this time. I dared him to run a red light with the traffic camera on it.

21. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Luke, both times.

22. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
natural, both times.

23. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
Why would I NOT? They weren't offering award money for those who do it without...

24. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH??
8 lbs. 6.5 oz.
9 lbs. 4.6 oz.

25. DID YOUR CHILD HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS??
Patrick had his cord wrapped around his neck, but it turned it to be no big deal.
Ben came out and his face was this color, but they didn't seem too concerned, so I guess not.

26. WHAT DAY WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ON?
March 4, 2003
November 13, 2005

27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
John Patrick
Benjamin Paxton

28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
Just turned 4
16 months tomorrow (and still not walking)


OK mommies repost this as "MY FIRST BORN" :)

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Ben , Ben and more Ben...

Gorgeous weather lately, huh? Patrick was with his Ma and Pa today, but the rest of us headed outside to do a bit of yard work that hadn't been done yet. Ben was cute as can be, exploring everything he could get his hands on...even the dogs seemed to be different outside. I wish we could all experience our minor daily happenings with the innocence and exuberance of a toddler...

Uh, remember when I said that Ben was--and I quote--"days from walking"? Well, I'd like to eat those words now--hold the salt--with a side of ranch dressing, please. I feel like a complete nimrod for ever letting those words leave my mouth. All I'm going to say is, please note the gaping holes in the knees of his jeans--and remember, these are the good pair. The only good thing about those holes is that they give me permission to toss the jeans in the garbage when I'm done with them. As opposed to all the other baby clothes I own, which are carefully stored away in an effort to trick fate until my childbearing years are over. Because we all know the fastest way to get pregnant is to get rid of all your stuff.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Flashback: A Day in Maine

Mandy and I took an impromptu day trip to the coast of Maine a few years back, and all I can say is: Maine rocks. I could definitely do summers there. Winters...not so much. It was a great day though, as I'm sure Mandy can attest to. Browsing through my pictures, I am always happy to look back at the ones from that day, so I thought I'd throw it on up for my flashback today...with a little something extra. ;)

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Leave it to the blog...

...to take something like me arguing with my kid about a truck and turning it into a morality issue. Let's move on. Here's a boring picture of my kids sharing some yogurt at dinner. Please, let's all try to keep our minds from straying into the gutter...



Monday, March 05, 2007

Conversations

The following conversation takes place immediately after Patrick received a new rescue truck for his birthday and then proceeded to expose himself to all the world in Victoria's Secret...

Mommy I want my new rescue truck!!!!

Sorry Patrick, you'll have to wait until you get home. You're lucky you'll get it then , after what you just pulled.

Please!!!! *sob, sob*--I want it!

Stop crying and you can have it when you get home.

*Sniffle* Okay, I stopped crying.

Good.

So can I have it now?

When we get home you can have it.

(Crying again) *Sob, sob* But please can I have it now?!?

Patrick, you may not have it in the car because you need to think about what you just did in the store.

What did I do?

What did you do?

Nothing!!!!

Did you pull your pants down?

Ummm...no.

You didn't pull your pants down in the store?

Nope!

Well, now you're just lying and I'll have to put the rescue truck away when we get home.

Uhhh...oh yeah, I DID pull my pants down. I'm so sorry!

Well, that's why you don't get to have your truck in the car--because you did that.

(Crying again) But PLEASE can I have it now? PLEASE??? I want it!!

Patrick, stop crying and you can have it when you get home!!!! Do you understand that? I don't want to hear another word of it. WHEN. WE. GET. HOME. YOU. CAN. HAVE. IT.

Okay...*sniffle, sniffle*...okay...I stopped crying.

Okay, good.

Can I have it now?

This is the point where, instead of continuing to have this chat, I choose to open the door and throw myself in front of oncoming traffic, effectively ending all talk about the truck. I highly suggest using this tactic next time you find yourself in this kind of conversation with a four-year-old.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

The birthday weekend...

I need a bumper sticker that says "I Survived Patrick's 4th Birthday Party". Haha! In all seriousness, it wasn't that bad. The sun could've r.s.v.p.-ed to let me know that it wouldn't be making an appearance, but the kids had fun and nobody went home with a violent stomach virus like at his last birthday party, so that was good.

The party got kicked off with playtime in the backyard. Katie brought the jumpoline, which was a big hit, and then the "hired" entertainment--aka the fire truck--showed up. They kicked things off with a really weak rendition of Happy Birthday to Patrick. Then all the kids got to sit in the cab and one of the men showed us how they put on their turnout gear, which scared the living daylights out of my poor son when he got to the face mask. But he recovered fairly quickly, which was good because at that point the firemen got bored with all the rugrats and faked a call to hightail it outta there!!! Ahh, well, who cares? The kids enjoyed watching them leave.

After that we went inside for lunch, which went without too many disasters, but things started to get a little hairy during present time. I'm not sure what happened, but I got a little overwhelmed and somehow ended up with men's underwear on my head. Check out Trevor's face as he gives fair warning to all the other kids. I snapped back to reality in time to sugar the kids up with birthday cake and the send them back outside.

After the birthday, while Joe and Patrick searched the house (quite successfully) for any spare pieces of sugar to ingest, Katie, Andrea and Mandy stayed on for a little ping-pong round robin tourney. That's when we found out that Katie was freakin' Forrest Gump in another life. Not even Luke could match her mad ping-pong skills. She beat every last one of us to a pulp, and I daresay she enjoyed doing it...

This morning, on Patrick's real birthday, we went to the Palladium to eat lunch after church. We had saved a few more presents for him to open today, so he tore right into them as soon as we sat down. Luke and I gave him a rescue helicopter to finish out his extensive emergency vehicle collection. Now all we have to do is build the addition to the house to store them all. His most coveted present though, was a pack of Big Red. He's been dying for this stuff and we said he could have it when he turned four. You could see the anticipation in his eyes as he unwrapped that first piece, followed by shock as he promptly spit it out, screaming "HOT!" and diving for his juice. Well, I'm glad we got that out of our system.

Friday, March 02, 2007

Flashback with Sentiment

Almost four years ago, on March 4, 2003, I became "Mommy". Today was actually my due date, but I didn't start having contractions until the 3rd. If the doctors had listened to me, I would have had him on the 3rd, but you know how doctors are...yadda yadda yadda--I was forced to wait the night in the hospital. Finally, on the 4th, they realized that I was never going to have this baby without a little help (I think Patrick would still be on the inside if we had allowed labor to take its natural course), so we induced, shot me up with some drugs and had a relatively easy time after that. Three pushes and I was a parent.

I will never forget the first time I saw Patrick. It was comical and emotional at the same time. The doctor lifted him up and for some reason it surprised me--like he had actually pulled him out from underneath the bed and said "Tah-Dah!!!!" But a split-second later it all came together in my mind and I burst into tears. The greatest part was when I first held him. He had been screaming bloody murder and the second I spoke, he quieted and turned his head towards me. It was like he had known me for so long, why did I not know him as well? That was our first bonding moment, and it must've been a strong one, because we had a great time after that. He was such a good baby for me.

I think back to those first few months--and even though I hated the nighttime feedings and it seemed like I could never really get him to eat well, so I was completely lopsided for four months--I recall it as pure bliss. I remember creeping in his room at night and my eyes welling up as I watched him sleep. We spent all those beautiful spring days together, taking walks and sitting on the swing throwing the ball to the dogs. It was hard--because all babies are--but he made me so happy. I love you Patrick. You are my firstborn son and you mean the world to me. And even though you are a complete rascal, I am so proud of the little boy you've become. Happy 4th Birthday!!!