Buzz Lightyear, Space Ranger

J is super into Toy Story right now. He got quite a few birthday gifts from the movie too (2 of them in the picture above). I must say, I rather enjoy this new stage of playing. Action figures are much more up my alley, as I can pretend they are dolls. And let's face it, I aced playing dolls.

I usually get to be Woody and Rex. And he gets to be Buzz Lightyear, Hamm, and Mr. Tatato Head. He's been hopping around all day yelling "To infinimy let me on!" (aka To infinity and beyond).

He had jumped on the bed one too many times. As that breaks one of our rules, I kept reminding him to stop.

Finally, in exasperation, I said: James, go sit in timeout for jumping on the bed!

He looks at me and says, in all seriousness: I'm NOT James. I'm Buzz Lightyear.

Apparently I passed on the selfish gene

O man has caught a cold from J's sinus infection. This is why we were up with him all.night.long. He's currently napping on the couch. As a bride to be quiet, I offered J some popcorn.

I poured myself a tiny, measly pile of maybe 10 popcorns and I gave J the bag.

J:(points at pile) What's that?
Me: That's my popcorn.
J: Oh. I need to come share with you.
M: No, you have your own popcorn.
J: (makes a super angry face) Mommy, that's NOT good sharing!

A little later, I reach for the bag again.

J: No, mommy. You already ate your popcorn. This is mine.

Think he's my kid?

Snuggles

I've always wondered how people have pictures of their children sleeping together. I mean, the whole thing just sounds made up. Children sleeping?? Together? Surely this is a hoax. Or perhaps they are bribing their children with chocolate ice cream and presents, in order to stage this type of photo.

Sleeping pictures are my favorites. Maybe it's because that's about the only time the little demons seem sweet. But I had pretty much given up on that coveted picture of my kids sleeping together. If you've met my kids, you'll understand.

Both of them are pretty sure that sleeping is over-rated.

Which is why last week, when J climbed into our bed at 6:30 am, I was pretty certain I was doomed to a day filled with grumpy, over-tired kids. O was nursing and somehow managed to sleep through the noisy, elaborate show that is J climbing into our bed. It involves lots of toy arranging and lots of banging around, as J will not allow you to help him. I gave J the "don't you dare make a sound or else" look and closed my eyes, pretending I was asleep.

And then, something happened. I fell asleep. Sound asleep. I woke with a start and groggily looked at the clock, which read 8:19 am. Seriously?! A quick look around revealed my boys......ASLEEP!

Overcome with shock, I sat there staring at them. It happened to be a school day. And a school day meant the thing I hate the most. I had to wake them. But not before I got my much desired picture.

A note from the future

Dear Self,

When you spend 30 minutes rocking your baby to sleep, only to have him peek from beneath his eyelids just to make sure you're still there, enjoy the feeling of being so needed. When he fusses at night, only to stop the second you bring him into your bed, smell his baby head and kiss his baby cheek. You will one day miss those moments of cuddling. That baby, the one who grabs your shirt when you dare to try to put him down, holding tight like a lifeline, will one day have a baby of his own. And you will look back fondly on these moments, wondering why you ever needed 2 seconds of free time.

When your toddler follows you around, pulling on your pants-legs, screaming angrily for more snacks, take comfort in the fact that you are one of the most important people to him. If he sobbingly declares that he doesn't want to nap, take a few extra minutes to lie down with him until he's calm. One day instead of him talking your ear off in the car, there will be silence. You will miss the constant jabber of a 3 year old, telling you about his day.

One day your children will be grown and living their own lives. One day you will wonder why they haven't called or visited in a few days. You will worry whether or not they are eating right, getting enough sleep, or driving safely. You will offer your unsolicited advice, only to know deep-down that they are simply smiling and nodding. One day, these children who have occupied every single minute of your time, will be their own people.

Life is short. And time is fleeting. So enjoy what you have now.

Love,
Self

Nothing says October like too much orange

For our first trip as a family of 4 to the pumpkin patch, I had grand visions of catching that elusive family photo. I dressed the boys carefully, matching in fall colors. I bathed the baby ahead of time, in order to reduce his sensitive skin.

In my efforts to get them ready, I neglected to allot time for myself. Scratch that. Move onto Plan B: elusive photo of the boys together. For someone who snaps probably 20 photos a day, you would think I have more pictures of them together. But no. One or the other is typically not cooperative (attention J, I mean you).

So we trekked to the pumpkin patch. Quickly I could tell that everything was going downhill. O was overtired. Lovely. He fell asleep on the bumpy hayride out to the pumpkins.


We managed to get some really awesome pictures of J by pretending different animals were sitting on the top of Matt's head. This usually generates .02 seconds of laughter, so I have to be quick. Miraculously it worked.



Then O woke up and a photo op didn't seem so daunting after all. Perhaps it would make a cute Christmas card (and yes Matt, you can have pumpkins in a Christmas card. People put beach pictures in Christmas cards, so what's wrong with pumpkins??) But we had a pretty uncooperative baby. And one other problem....wow, that's a lot of orange!!

One day they'll be friends...

"Mommy, take a picture of me snugglin' Buggy"


If only it looked like he actually liked his brother in the picture *sigh*

A Spin on the Alphabet

A, B, C, JO, EEEEE, Y
A, B, 6, JO, EEEEE....

Nuts. I can't sing anymore of that song!

Sweet Baby James

My dear sweet boy,

I'm sitting here on the couch after a fun-filled third birthday with you. And as you sleep upstairs, I sit here in the calm and quiet and think back to 3 years ago today.

It was the best and worst day of my life.

The early morning hours of October 8, 2006 brought us to the hospital. When we arrived, the labor and delivery parking spots were full. Instead, we parked in a cardiac spot. I said to your father "what if someone with a heart problem needs this spot?" and he replied "we won't need it for long". I think back on that simple moment often. It passed with nary a thought. But now, it seems somehow important, somehow like fate.

You joined our lives at 1:25 pm, all 8 pounds 6 ounces and 21.5 inches of you. You had a head full of dark hair, big blue eyes, and a piercing gaze. You were perfect. And we were instantly in love. We enjoyed you only briefly before sharing you with our families who were anxious to meet you. I was the happiest I'd ever been. Life couldn't have gotten any better.

And then, that evening, in the middle of Desperate Housewives, we got the news that would change our lives. Our world crumpled when they told us that your heart was special. Daddy wheeled me down to see you before they rushed you to the Children's Hospital. I stroked your hair, kissed your cheek, and told you I loved you.

We were scared. We had no idea what the future would hold. It seemed more than we could handle, more than anyone should have to handle.

But now, here we are 3 years later. Our prayers have been answered in the most amazing way. You are happy. You are healthy. You are perfect. I am constantly amazed at how intelligent you are. Every day you are learning new things and seeing the world in a new light. You have given us joy, laughter, sorrow, and unconditional love. You are the reason we became a family. You gave us a reason to stay strong and to learn patience. And by testing our faith, you brought us closer as a family.

On this, your third birthday, I would like to tell you how grateful I am that you have taught me such valuable life lessons.

I will love you, forever and always,

Mama

Teddy Bear Picnic

Last week we had a Teddy Bear Picnic at J's school. Right after school ended, Matt, O, and I all joined J and his classmates on the playground. He was so excited to see us and couldn't wait to show us the things he loved to play with.

Eating lunch:



Showing us his favorite slide:


His "woofy" won the snuggliest friend award:

Matching is overrated

We are having J's birthday party at Gymboree. The kids will have a chance to climb, jump, play, and do parachute time. Gymboree is one of those places where you have to remove your shoes. So in a moment of pure genius, I decided to get each partygoer a pair of socks. And what better than character socks for toddlers?

The girl guests are getting princess socks. The boy guests are getting CARS socks. As previously stated , CARS is J's obsession. So it was only fitting that we got J 3 pairs of socks.

Being almost 3 means that he has to put the socks on immediately. There is no patience when you're 3. I pull the tags off and start to put his new socks on. But no, I am stopped. I'm doing it wrong. He must wear a different sock on each foot. Matt points out that they don't technically match. And J says: they're both cars! Why yes, they are.