A Bedtime Story: How I became a mommy

I thought for Mother's Day it would be fun to share the bedtime story, a true story, that I tell Jackie every night. He curls up in my lap in his bed and I tell this story: (all italicized words are usually said by Jack)

Once upon a time there was a man names John and a woman named Mary Jo and there last name was stinky pot of water! (or some other made up word) Well, they met and fell in love and decided to get married. After a while they decided they wanted to have a family so they got a little tiny baby in mommy's tummy. That baby grew bigger and bigger and bigger until he was ready to come out and live with mommy and daddy.

They went to the hospital and after a while ppbbt out came the baby and the baby cried waah! The dr. said "It's a boy!"

And mommy said "Give me my Baby Jack!" And they put Baby Jack on mommy's chest and she covered him with a blanket. Mommy snuggled that baby, looked at him and knew he would be her little boy forever and ever.

Mommy and new Baby Jack stayed that way for a long time until the nurse came in and said "We need to take that baby and put a diaper and some clothes on him." But when they pulled the blanket back and picked up the baby they found that the baby had POOPED ALL OVER HIS MOMMY! Icky poopy!

But that mommy said "Oh that stinky baby, but he's my baby and I'll always love him no matter what."

So mommy and daddy took that stinky baby Jack home. After a while he grew bigger and bigger and soon began to walk and talk and run around and kick a ball. Baby Jack became a big boy so mommy and daddy thought he might like to have a little baby brother so they got another little tiny baby in mommy's tummy.

That baby grew bigger and bigger until he was so big in mommy's tummy that Jack could hardly fit on her lap anymore. Finally, he was so big it was time for him to come out and live with mommy, daddy and Jack. Little grandma and grandpa came to stay with Jack and mommy and daddy went to the hospital to have the baby. After a while ppbbt out came the baby and the baby cried waah! And mommy said "Give me my baby Joey!"

So they set that Baby Joey on mommy's chest but before they could cover him up he PEE-PEED ALL OVER HIS MOMMY! And mommy said "Oh my stinky boys! The first baby pooped on me (insert Jackie sound affects) and the second one peed on me (sound affects again) but I still love my stinky boys and I always will no matter what!"

THE END

Remembering

Joey is growing up too fast. Jack is too. I mean because Joey's a baby I notice it more obviously and yet I swear each time I go to re-tuck Jack into bed in the middle of the night after feeding Joey I'm shocked at how big Jack has become. Some how having a second child makes your children grow up faster... or at least you notice it more often.


Now, almost every time when I feed Joey and he falls asleep in my arms for nap time or bedtime I get all mushy -sentimental and usually a little sad. Sometimes a lot sad with a twist of happy if that's possible. He's just not much of a little baby any more. I look over at Jack and he's not a baby at all. Well OK when he whines and throws a fit it's like he's a baby still but he's more big boy than baby. But when I hold Joey asleep in my arms, nuzzled against my chest, my heart melts...I tear up. I want to make this moment last forever. At least I want to remember it forever. But now that this is the second time I've gone through this, I know I won't. You remember images and pictures and all but not the essence of it. Not the make-your-heart-melt essence of holding your sleeping baby. Kissing their check before you lay them in bed. Wanting to stop time and just breathe them in.

I remember when Jack was an infant and was having various struggles with him... basically not liking the baby stage and wanting him to grow up, some people would say to me "oh they all grow up too fast..." or "oh they are babies for such a short time..." Well, for some reason I didn't believe it then. I didn't feel it then. But now I do. Oh my how I do, for both of my boys. I want to stop time and just be here, now, with them.

Oh the things they say...

I know I've been totally MIA on my blog. Such is life I guess... busy busy! Anyway, I did want to record and share a few of my favorite things that have been said recently the past month or so.

Too Smart!

I was really struggling with Jack in the weeks before Christmas. Just a lot of defiance, not listening, back talking, etc. Well after a long spout of it as we were trying to get out of the house I finally said to him, "Jack I'm concerned because Santa doesn't bring presents to kids who don't listen and I'm worried that you aren't listening very well lately." His response without missing a beat was... "Well Santa doesn't bring presents to mommy's who yell either!" I actually had to ask him to repeat himself I was so surprised! My friend Melody suggested that I start saving money now because law school is expensive.

Young at Heart

The BEST thing I heard all of last year, other than the healthy arrival of Baby Joey, was the wonderful news that my parents want to move out here. It's amazing news and we are so excited! This winter we've begun the process of shopping for a townhome for them (John calls it my part-time job). Well after one of the 1st big trips out here to see a number of properties we were discussing the issue of stairs or no stairs, split level vs. one level, etc. and the reality of what fits in their price range and what doesn't. I had been trying to encourage them to consider one level townhomes but it means giving up some space and other things that they are use to. Some of what I was saying finally started to sink in when my dad said he'd had an aha! moment early one morning. He said he realized he can buy a home for 5 years with stairs and probably need to move or buy a home long term for like 10 years. Then he said "Because, well in 10 years I'll be old! I'll be 88 years old then!" I love that he doesn't think 78 is old :)

Don't Ask!

We went in to get professional photos before Christmas at Kiddie Kandids (now bankrupt!). We wanted a family photo and a brothers photo as Christmas presents for people. Jack had been real patient (for a 3.5 year old) but was getting a bit spent. We were trying to get some more brothers shots with Joey sitting on his lap on the ground. The photographer had adjusted and readjusted a wiggly Joey on Jack's lap several times. All of a sudden Jack started to fuss and look uncomfortable. She asked "Are you uncomfortable sweetie?" And Jack responded "Oowwwwoohhh my p.e.n.i.s is big and it hurts!" The poor woman looked like she was going to fall over! LOL life with boys... this.... is... my... life! Seriously what is up with that THING? What the heck was God thinking? (OK I did just type out the P word funny... I really don't want to know what kind of visitors I'd get from google with that word spelled out normally and the word BIG next to it!)


I want in!

Well, technically Joey can't talk but I think this is what he's thinking in the picture below. Joey is pulling up to standing already. It's crazy in part because it seems really early and also because, not surprisingly, he has NO ability to hold himself up or balance so he's constantly falling over and smacking his big 'ole head! Anyway, Joey loves watching Jack play in the bath tub which inspired his first time pulling all the way up to standing vs. just on his knees. In this picture I'm pretty sure he's saying "I want in!" This was taken about 2 weeks ago and he's much more steady on his feet now as seen in the 2nd picture.... though if you look closely you can see a few marks on his head from recent adventures. We've all nicknamed him trouble!

Dis Day?!


The days leading up to Christmas and, just as importantly to Jack, "little grandma's" arrival, Jack would frequently ask to count the days down on the calendar. Time is such a hard concept for small children! Anyway, when Jack woke up on the day when my parents (little grandma and grandpa) were to arrive, I told Jack "Guess what! Little grandma and grandpa come later today!" And his response was exclaimed with such great excitement and disbelieve "This day?! Dis day?! They are coming dis day!!!" His excitement was just so fun to see. My mom and Jack have the most amazing relationship and connection. It's such a blessing to both of them as you can see from this picture below.

I'm sure there's more to share but that's what I've got for now! I'm know there will be many more fun little boy moments to share soon.... so many that it's hard to take time to write them down. But either way I feel so blessed to be surrounded by my men in all shapes and sizes (and honestly, 2 of them are growing up way way to fast these days!)

Wordless Wednesday

I googled "OCD in Young Children" today...

Well the title might give you an idea of what I'm struggling with here! (And nice 1st blog entry to do in over a month, huh?!) We have a great month or so with Jack and then all of a sudden he's extremely emotional and, well, crazy! I guess 3 year olds are just like that in general sometimes and then you add in the fact that he's super emotional and kind of a control freak and it makes for a mess. And the fact that I'm emotional and a bit of a control freak too doesn't help I'm sure.
Anyway he's hyper obsessive right now about all his characters in movies. When he watches one of his favorites he has to line up the characters perfectly for each scene. And I don't mean Woody needs to stand next to Slink the Dog (which is a tractor with a long trailer here...genius). I mean the snake and shark need to be in their perfect places too. What you say? There is a snake and a shark in Toy Story? Yep for about 30 seconds total. So Jack either has us stop the movie every 30 seconds (not happening) or cries and throws a fit that everyone isn't in their place. So needless to say a few movies have been put in time out for a while here... as well as Jack. I mean this is all funny when you aren't in the throws of it... and yet sometimes it's not. Sometimes it scares a momma.
I have seriously looked at him a few times lately and thought "What is wrong with him? He's psychotic?!" And then of course.... I wonder if he has OCD or something. Which he doesn't, not according to the description but man that kid is OBSESSED about things being just right! It has gotten a little bit better since we've put movies in time out and laid down the law more with it (as in throw a fit about something like this and you get put in your bed) but still it is sometimes scary. I'm sure (ok hope) that it's a combo of his intense temperament and him being just 3.
It's also the time where I need to remind myself about the benefits of him being such an intense and emotional child. For example I get these amazing hugs and I love yous all the time. It's so sweet to drop him off at school and have him run back to be before I leave to give me a big hug and say "I love you mommy" or his latest "You're the sweetest mommy." Or when I pick him up he comes running across the room like he hasn't seen me for days and does the same. And as far as his intensity goes, well he can get caught up in telling his stories and be focused on them on his own for over an hour... it's amazing to see how focused and independent he can be. I'm sure it will serve him well in adulthood... if he makes it there :)
So I'm reminding myself of these things and trying to not freak out about my son's constant freak outs right now. Yeah, we are just 2 peas in a pod aren't we? Actually make that 3 with our drooling happy companion, Joey, who is always entertained by whatever his brother does!

Sleepless in Seattle

Well obviously I'm not in Seattle but still we are quite sleepless in this household. Well at least I am and Joey is too. (So excuse the rantings of a sleep deprived woman here...) Joey's been waking up every 3 hours to eat and sometimes even more frequently. He had been sleeping a 6-7 hour stretch each night but when he got close to 3 months (he'll be 4 months tomorrow) he started waking up more... and then even more 2 weeks ago and has kept it up since. Last night he was up 1.5 hours after going back down at 3am... then up again an hour later. He's been always eating a ton when he wakes up so I'm OK with that, the big boy needs to eat. BUT he's starting to wake up more and I'm just not OK with that! I have flash backs to the days Jack woke up almost every hour after his 1st 4 hour stretch for no apparent reason. But Joey isn't Jack and I need to remind myself of that. He's a million times more mellow and I'm a 100 times less freaked about everything.... then again I'm also 10 times more tired and spent taking care of a baby and a busy bossy intense 3.5 year old at the same time. But hey I keep reminding myself this is the last time I'll be doing this since Joey is our last baby. That and I think he must be teething... he tries to gnaw his fingers off or your fingers off every chance he gets. We go in for his 4 month appt. tomorrow so maybe I'll know more then, but probably not :) since there is no magical answer with some babies.

Anyway I was also going to say there was another reason I thought of Sleepless in Seattle and wanted to blog about it. We had a really hard couple of months with Jack right after his 3rd birthday, then the past 2 months it's been sooo much easier - almost no meltdowns, less bossy, more flexible (which any thing is an improvement in flexibility for him), etc. Well about 1.5 weeks ago (just before he turned 3.5) it flared up again. I swear we now have at least one meltdown a day. And me being so tired I'm having them too -or at least not handling Jack's meltdowns all that well all the time.

Well the other day he HAD to have a certain toy/ character to watch a movie with (an almost identical but smaller replacement wouldn't do) so we looked all over... well 15 minutes later we still didn't find it, were not willing to look any longer and his time to watch the movie before dinner was running out. Dad and I both tried to explain to him that because he was being difficult, not flexible, and not willing to use a replacement toy it was almost time for dinner and there was little time left to watch the movie. Of course he spiraled into a meltdown (he was 1/2 way there) and through the tears and tantrum we hear "I don't wanna be difficult! I don't wanna be difficult!" LOL which later reminded me of a movie scene with Meg Ryan crying saying "I'm difficult, yes I'm difficult..." in relation to why some relationship didn't work. It was done in the same pitiful sad blubbering tone as Jack's "difficult" rant.

So anyway I thought, oh I can do a Sleepless in Seattle post and wrap that into it. Here I am typing it up and realize in my poor sleep deprived state that, well duh, that Meg Ryan scene was from When Harry Met Sally not Sleepless. Sigh... well I'll just use this rambling entry as proof of my mushy brain and post this anyway.

Wacky Wordless Wednesday

Sorry I have to make 2 quick comments (leave it to me to not be wordless) -yes, I'm growing perverted tomatoes and no, that is not Joey with the monkey but one of my old favorite pictures of Jack).