Happy Easter!

Finally a family photo where nobody is crying...and I think my boys look awfully handsome in their fancy duds...courtesy of Grammie, Nana, and Men's Wearhouse.

we're so proud...

As you may recall...when Scooby was 3 or 4, his school called me in the middle of the day to report that he had just taken a drink out of...the urinal. Yup. I guess he was thirsty.

This morning, little Scrappy evidentally didn't get enough for breakfast because he proudly came to show me the "ookie" he had scavenged out of the kitchen trashcan - from underneath a dirty diaper and a pile of Clorox wipes I'd used to clean the stove. The cookie still smelled like Clorox...and yes, he had already taken a few bites.

continuation...

Mom: So, Scooby - when you grow up and live in South Dakota with your kids, what will go do for a living? What will your job be?

Scooby: I'm going to be a skyscraper builder.

Mom: Aha. You know, I don't think there are many skyscrapers in South Dakota.

Scooby: Yeah, but there could be!

Pics and Quotes

happy Saturday with our friends "Guh", "Ya Ya", "Danny", "Ne Ne", and the "goggies".

Quote of the Week:

Scooby: "Mother, I must tell you something before another word is spoken. When I grow up, I'm going to live in South Dakota with my kids. This will happen before you can believe your eyes."

And up until now, Scrappy persistently refuses to say the words "Please" and "Thank You". He would sign it, with his own variation (mwah! as he blows a kiss) but just this week, he's started shouting an enthusiastic "MEASE! MEASE! MEASE!" when he's asking for something, and upon receiving it, ducking his head, looks at your from under his lashes, dimples at you and says in such a sweet voice "Kink You!"

bedtime...

bedtime has evolved in our house, now that there are two...Scrappy just isn't ready to go down as early as he once did, but when 7pm looms he is eye-rubbing and fussing over every little thing. we have our little drill - bath, then he gets burrito-wrapped and sent into the den to find daddy who applies fresh diaper and jammies while i drain the tub. then we must have our sippy of water to take with us, and our "um!" (vitamin with fluouride). after we read three "buh!" (his favorites this week are the one with the "ki-ki" on the cover - about animals - The Runaway Bunny, and My Oh My Dinosaurs! he loves my silly voices and my turkey gobble impression is a winner.) mommy sings a song, says night-night, he howls in protest and I leave the room.

he then will hang out in his bed chatting, singing, occasionally hollering for a good 45 minutes to an hour. i worried about this at first, but I can't really keep him up until after Scooby goes to bed at 7:30, and I'm beginning to see he really needs this down time. I think he gets overstimulated and just needs to chill and hang out. Scooby is asleep pretty much by the time I get to the lightswitch, but Scrappy is up until about 7:30 (it is 7:33 as I write this and he's still jabbering) before he conks out.

I did disturb the routine tonight b/c I could hear him talking. I peeked in the door to find him in front of the window - he had dragged his crib over about 2' so that he could see out. Curtain in hand, he was leaning into the window, waving and hollering "bye bye fowers! bye bye!" over and over at the big pink camellia in front of his window that is currently in full bloom. I laughed out loud...he saw me...now he's in there moaning "mama! maaaaamaaaaaa!" but it's getting quieter and quieter...

rub a dub dub...two goofballs in the tub...and other stories

one-liners...

I found these scribbled on a piece of notepaper on my bedside table - Scooby blurts these out and I forget so easily. I'm glad I wrote them down...now I can share them with you.

(Scooby, playing with LEGOs in Bible class. He's built a structure of some sort...)

Teacher: Hey, cool, is that a spaceship?

Scooby: No, it's a church.

(Scooby quickly pulls a piece off the structure.)

Scooby: NOW it's a spaceship!

*******************
Scooby, to Mommy while riding in the car. Subject: singing.

Scooby: Mommy, you be "piano" and I'll be "forte".

(what is it about my singing?? I'm not that bad!)

*******************

(on the subject of today's fire drill at school)

Mommy: So, Scooby, where did you go for the fire drill when you left the building?

Scooby: To the boondocks.

*******************

and I'm proud to share that Scrappy is already blessing us with some great one-liners in his own little way.

last week, despite the rain, he blissfully stomped and splashed his way across the busy parking lot, refusing to be carried, taking his own sweet time, completely unaware that Mommy was getting drenched. Upon arrival in his classroom, Mommy dropped her bags and turned around, hands on hips, to give him a glaring stare.

Scrappy blinked at me for a second, then held out both hands, palms up, complete with little shoulder shrug.

An entire conversation without words...and he's not even two.

Rainbow Sherbert

It was 72 today. Yup, January 12 and I drove to pick up Scooby with the top open and the windows down. It rocked - I really don't do well when it's cold and gloomy. How I survived three years in Maine is still a mystery. I must have been grouchy a lot. When it's warm and sunny, I just automatically feel genial and at peace with the world.

It felt like late Spring, not early Winter. Scrappy and I went home early with his snuffly, sneezy cold, and I went alone to pick up Scoob after school. He's used to heading straight for Extended Care and has always wanted to experience the enticing, elusive "Car Line" after school, so I called ahead and had him sent. It's quite a process - the kids wait along the breezeway organized by grade as a spaghetti-string of cars winds around the parking lot. Teachers stationed along the way spot parents and radio ahead for the kids so that when you pull up, your little person pops in, a helpful teacher buckles them, and away you go. Drive-thru, except you get a kid instead of a burger.

Since it was such a glorious day, I decided to make another drive-through to Baskin-Robbins. Scooby was ecstatic - though they did not feature his favorite, neon blue "Splish Splash," he settled on Rainbow Sherbert.

I didn't take him as a reward, or because he had had a remarkable day (it was only so-so). He didn't particularly deserve it. I just took him cause I felt like it. I like surprising my kids. I like seeing their eyes light up and the "Wahoo!" that ensues. I like makin' 'em happy for no reason whatsoever.

Why is it so hard to fathom a benevolent, loving God would do the same for me? "Who among you when his child asks for bread would give him a stone? If you then know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him!"

I need to be better about A. asking for our needs and wants - not assuming He knows them (even if He does). B. looking out for the random acts of Godly kindness that I know are present in my life. Like warm, balmy days in the dead of winter...

quips and quotes

"Mommy, did you know that a 'mortal' is a really, tiny baby? Yup. And a 'fortal' is a really big baby. As big as me. I know this because I have a really powerful brain."

all the latest...

it's been BUSY!!!! sheesh - being a parent of an elementary student is a full time job in and of itself. I need a secretary. Oh, wait. I AM a secretary. Hmmm.

Most of you will be getting a Christmas letter soon, except for the 15 for whom I ran out of cards and need to go back to buy another box from Target. Then there's my friend Lisa who unfailingly mails her cards the day after Thanksgiving EVERY year. How does she do it? Does she write them in July? I can't figure it out. It's how I've come to know it's the Christmas season. Eat turkey, hang stockings, get Christmas card from Lisa.

Here's a few fun photos of our big humongous family Thanksgiving. I love having a big family, and hope we'll be able to do this often. I now have 4 brothers, 4 sisters, and 9 neices and nephews. A good time was had by all. Scrappy is especially fortunate in that he now has four boy cousins within a year of his age. Come 2012, we're dead meat. (take note of Scrap's size...the cousin standing next to him in the photo is 18 months...OLDER)

That's Uncle Brian teaching the kids how to use the stomp rocket by aiming it at Uncle Jeremy's head.

And here's one of Scooby's first day of school - cause he looks so dern cute in that uniform.

no description necessary...

Halloween Treats

Today's Quiz: All of these photos were taken on Friday, but one. It was taken on October 31, 2004...which one is it?

pajamas

i love toddlers in pajamas. the ones that zip up the front, with feet. i love the big giant belly and the rumpled diaper bottom, and the skinny little arms and legs sticking out on all sides. i especially love striped pajamas, it makes them look like little misshapen elves.

last night i committed parental sin #22 - i went in late at night to kiss my baby and pull up his blanket, as i always do, but when his head popped up, i took him out just to cuddle. and then, i went and sang to him (#23) and then, because he was so cute and sweet and was playing peek-a-boo with his blankie, i took him out of the room (#24) and back in to the den with me so daddy could enjoy him too. i know this is terrible for their sleep patterns, but who can resist the sleep curls, and milky breath and the grin? i am besotted...

i blame my lapse in wise parental skills on the striped pajamas.

pure joy

it was a true Indian Summer day, hot as anything when we pulled into the driveway after school...and when they said "please?" I said, "why not? go for it!"

I love how the photos highlight the contrasting personalities...Scooby darted in and out, and Scrappy just went for it and sat there right smack in the middle, soaking it all in. Literally.

a great day...

a very special little man in our lives celebrated his first birthday recently. scrappy and I got to go and celebrate earlier in the day, and later Scooby with Daddy (naps, you know). it was made all the more sweet because said birthday boy gave us quite a scare last September when he decided to arrive 6 weeks before his scheduled arrival, and required immediate, and major, surgery. he prevailed over the many obstacles that were to come, and now it all just seems like one big, long, bad dream. as his momma tried to thank all of us that were in the room (we were bawling like babies) Birthday Boy was trying to launch himself vertically from her lap, giving credence to the contrast of today's health and vitality vs. last year's fright.

a living, breathing, giggling, squirming, bouncing reminder that God is faithful and that prayer is powerful.

what a great day.

really, Daddy...

this isn't how Mommy gives me my bath.

this is what daddies do when

mommies are recovering from surgery. You can click on the photos to enlarge.

Here is the quote I found on the PDF my loving husband had created: "Even though I could live in these confined and cozy quarters for some time, I'm confounded why my dad would put me here. Would you please be so kind to call the therapist of your choosing and let them know they'll be receiving a call from me in a few years?"


Boys will be boys...forever, I suppose!

One-eyed Mama signing off for now...

i know, i know...

it's been forever, and because you've been so patient, here's one from just this morning as we were headed out the door to school. could they be any cuter, or more different?

whereas Scooby always wears the exact size that matches his age (6 mos; 2T, 5/6, etc.) and we have to cinch the waistband in on his pants he's so narrow, Scrappy is, at 14 mos, wearing 2T and busting his buttons. He's a "sturdy lad" as a friend of mine just observed.

Whereas Scooby was using sentences by the time he was 14 months old, and adeptly articulating his needs and desires, Scrappy just isn't a verbal guy. He grunts and points - so we started trying sign language and he's picked it up in a flash. He's just a very physcial guy, and Scooby is verbal. He can catch and throw a ball, and if you help him balance, he's already kicking around a soccer ball extremely well, considering he's only been walking for 3 weeks.

And, now that Scrappy is toddling around the house, he's constantly exploring and frequently gets into something he's not supposed to. All it takes is a firm "No touch!" and he immediately pulls his hand back like it's been burned. If we say it too firmly, he bursts into big crocodile tears, wounded and heartbroken. Now Scooby on the other hand, at this age, would just look at you, and do it again, and again, and again, and again. And again.

Scooby is now in Kindergarten and busily rattling all the locks at the new school, and with the new teachers and administration. We could not be in a better place for him, however, and they have all been remarkably patient (as well as firm!). We rejoice in the days when we don't get a yellow "behavior" slip sent home...but he's learning. He's writing, and on the verge of reading, and his vocabularly increases daily - as I was playing with him on the floor the other day I mentioned that I was "disguising" my toy to hide it from him - he corrected me quickly saying "you mean camouflage?" Um, yes. That's exactly what I meant.

Scrappy, on the other hand, adeptly signs for "more" (claps hands - this is his favorite sign since it usually applies to food), "please" (it's a family version - same as declaring a touch down), "thank you" (blows a kiss), "all done" (shakes both hands) and as of last night, "milk" (one hand grasping, just like milking a cow). we were at a drive-in place on Saturday, eating at a table outside, Scap was in his stroller. he observed that a couple of very slick, uber-cool guys next to us had already gotten their food and began banging one hand on their table, shouting and signing for "please". they took pity on him, since he looks so underfed, and offered him some of their french fries while we waited for our food.

more soon - i've been crippled without my pocket camera, and a bit derailed with new job, new school routines, but we're getting back into the swing of things. all in all, we remain extremely blessed.

happy days

So, what are Scooby and Scrappy up to these days? Scooby is, depending on the day, saving the world from evil and/or meteorites in the form of Plane Man, Turtle Man or Red Ant Man (we've been watching a lot of Superfriends). This morning on the way to school we narrowly escaped being crushed by two firey meteors. He has also memorized the emblems to most car makers and frequently shouts from the backseat "Look, Mom! An Audi!"

Scrappy is getting closer and closer to walking. He'll take a stroll now, holding on to your fingers with his belly jutting out in front of him, and loves to push around his new Mater ride along truck, or the "lawn mower" from Papa and Nana. He also now regularly says "hello?" when you hand him a phone, and waves and says "Hiiiii!" to me in the mirror from the backseat. Claps to music, even dances a bit when the mood strikes (This involves sticking his bottom out and squatting up and down. We'll have to work on that.) Stands unassisted. Finally cut his top two teeth (for a total of four). And, he also sings. When we are singing in the house or the car, he'll start trilling along in this cute high-pitched baby voice. He's almost got the "ABC's" down...I'll have to get it on video.

They adore each other...last night before bed, I was rocking and singing to Scrappy when Scooby wandered in. Scrappy wanted to hug brother...four or five times. It was very cute. They definitely keep each other entertained, and Scoob doesn't even get too upset about sharing his toys. He just doesn't like it when Scrap drools all over the race cars.

We'll try to get some photos up sooner than later. I miss my pocket camera!!!

comforting thoughts

I know my kids pretty well. Scrappy isn't yet voluntarily using his own words, but he has a myriad of sounds that I'm able to translate. There is the whiney, fussy noise he makes most often which means that he's hungry (that's why it's the sound he makes most often). There's the scream of pain - we don't like to hear that one, but I know it well. There's the giggle that gurgles through even when he's tired and crying but just can't help laugh because I'm playing peek-a-boo or giving him raspberries on the tummy. There's the "uh uh uh" that goes with an outstretched arm when he wants something. Then there's my current favorite - the heart-wrenching, deeply offended, pitiful sob accompanied by giant crocodile tears that he makes when we scold him not to touch something, or throw his food on the floor. It's the funniest thing ever, and I'm sure we're going to put him in therapy one day because every time he does it we laugh.

I can also read their faces...Scooby gets deep purple shadows under his eyes when he's getting sick. His cheeks flush. Scrappy's eyes get puffy when he's congested.

I know them intimately. I know their smell, their weight in my arms. I know when they are tired, or hungry, or scared. I know what makes them laugh. I know what they like to eat. I will never forget the days that they were born, and every night I creep into their rooms and watch them sleep for just a moment before I go to bed, and breathe deeply the smell of their skin as I brush a soft cheek or arm with my lips. They are like an extension of me, I know them so well.

Someone once commented on the similarities between Psalm 139 and the children's book The Runaway Bunny. I made a note of it in my bible, and since the story is one of Scooby's favorites, we read it often at our house. I've been pondering on the Psalm lately, too.

O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

To think...if I know my children so intimately, how much more so does an omniscient God know them, know me? It boggles the mind, really. It also brings me comfort when I feel out of control or afraid. He knows them better than I do. He loves them more than I do. Does God smell our hair, too?

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

"If you come after me," said the bunny, "I will become a fish in a trout stream and I will swim away from you."

"If you become a fish in a trout stream," said his mother, "I will become a fisherman and I will fish for you."

"If you become a fisherman and fish for me," said the little bunny, "I will become a rock on the mountain high above you."

"If you become a rock on a mountain," said his mother, "I will become a moountain climber, and I will climb to where you are..."

"If you become a mountain climber," said the bunny, "I will be a bird, and fly away from you."

"If you become a bird and fly away from me," said his mother, "I will be a tree that you come home to."

"Shucks," said the bunny, "I might as well stay where I am and be your little bunny."

When Scooby wakes up from a bad dream, he clings to us, terrified of the images in his mind and of the dark. To us, it's not scary, it's not even that dark. We can see more than he can see.

even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.