Warm Water

Me: Atticus, do you want to try to go potty before we get in the bath.

Atticus: Nope. I no need to go.

Me: Ok, you're sure?

Atticus: blank stare

Me: Ok babe, test the bath water before we get it.

Atticus: He leans over and puts his hand in warm water and promptly begins to pee all over the floor.

It was like being back in college... pranking the intoxicated boys!

Sleep. I need sleep.

So my dear baby girl decided to wake up last night just after midnight. The only way she would refrain from screaming bloody murder was when I was holding her while standing up. This went on for about an hour and a half. I finally laid down with her in our bed and passed out praying that she would stop tossing and turning and just fall asleep. It apparently worked until 5:40 am when she promptly woke again wanting to play. Oy vey. After much shushing she fell back asleep around 6:30 when Atticus woke up.

Needless to say, I'm pooped today.

I Should Be Napping

Figures. The one day I choose NOT to lay down when the kids go down for the afternoon nap - they are both still comfortably snoozing several hours later. Sigh. That will teach me. Never give up on the opportunity to nap - it might actually work out in your favor!

Memorial Day 2011

I just may faint. Today it's sunny at 90 degrees with a light breeze. For that, I'd like to thank the men and women of the armed forces who are looking down today on everyone and sending love to the friends and families gathered at BBQs around the country!

We've had a great day thus far... (after the rocky night with Wren waking TWICE - I'm kind of over the whole "teething" thing). A little before 8 am, Atticus and I went downstairs to bake cinnamon rolls while Wren and Greg were still asleep. Atti helped me grease the pan and into the oven went the rolls. We changed diaper and got into clothes with no fuss and I asked him to play quietly with his cars while I came upstairs to check on Wren. Found her awake and quietly babbling - no screaming! Atti then proceeded to amaze me by sharing toys and being incredibly patient with Wren while we waited for the oven to ding. Then... everyone sat down and shared fruit, yogurt, milk and cinnamon rolls. Amazing, eh?

The sun was shining so I grabbed some sunscreen and a hat for Atti and the two of us went to the driveway to practice riding the bicycle. We said hi to our neighbors and they invited Atticus over for a dip in their pool. Atticus was quite excited. He changed into his new swimsuit and rashguard top and we went next door. He wanted to "swim like a fishy" (complete with hand motions for demonstration). He made it in to the second step, but that was as brave as he got. However.. he had a grand ole time sitting on the edge with his feet in the water, throwing the balls into the pool, carrying around the pool "noodle" from one end to the other... It was incredibly kind of our neighbors to allow him to play! Oh, and they fed him too because even though we'd just finished breakfast - he still needed some more crackers, cheese and Twizzlers!

When it was time to come back to our house for lunch and nap, we found that Greg had put together Atticus's birthday present from Bubbe and Pops -- the new Radio Flyer Tricycle! We had to pry him off to get him to eat lunch! Needless to say, I'm not sure what we'll be doing after nap - the park to feed the ducks, riding the tricycle, or going next door to the pool!

Ok, I'm off to do something productive around the house. Not sure what - but the list is long and I need to start somewhere!

Underpants - Take One

Total Fail. Atticus and I have been talking all week about how on Saturday, he was going to be a BIG boy and wear his underpants and go potty on the big boy potty. About 7:45 am we took off jammies and put on our first pair of underpants and shorts. Within an hour, we'd gone through 4 sets of underpants and 4 pair of shorts. Mind you -- he hadn't yet eaten or had anything to drink?!?

I don't think he got it. We'll wait and try again in a couple weeks.

What I Smell?

That has to be one of the highlights from our trip to Southern California. Every time we turned the corner at the San Diego Zoo -- Atticus would look up at Greg or I and say, "What I smell?". I'd love to say I have great photos from the zoo to share with you all -- but the fact is that we were charging the camera before we left for the trip and Greg packed the camera. That sounds great thus far, except he didn't pack it where I normally keep it - so when I reached for it at the zoo, he just gave me a blank stare and said it was back at Rob's house. Ugh. We did snap a few photos with the cell phone - but they haven't been uploaded yet.

The zoo was awesome. Atticus says his favorite animals were the giraffes. Incidentally, those were his favorite at the Philly Zoo too! There was a baby giraffe that was only two months old that was out with his/her mama... Atticus liked that! We also saw some Giant Panda cubs, tons of elephants, camels, bears, lions, zebras, wallabys, turtles, etc etc. We didn't make it to the "polar" exhibit to see polar bears and penguins. And we missed the rhinos, hippos and tigers... but we had a FULL day of animals! The kids had a fantastic time.

Life is Short

One very brave little boy lost his fight with cancer today. My heart is breaking for the family and I've never met them... I know his story is repeated daily around the world. This, in addition to the devastation from recent tornados, etc etc. Life is short. Yes, my children drive me nuts - but I'm going to try to be present in the moment and love them through it all... I wish I had more than my condolences to offer the Small family. I had a tree planted for Andrew last week - it was all I could think to do... I hope that somehow the family will know that there's a living memory of their precious little boy somewhere out there.