It wasn't a bad lunch...again!

So once again, I'd planned to take a couple weeks off before the birth of my second child. And again, on Thursday night before my last day of work, I experienced pains - strong pains.  I thought again it was a bad lunch - this time corned beef reuben. After it was all over I couldn't believe I thought labor pains were indigestion AGAIN.  Seriously?!  But it does start that way. Then it's constant trips to the bathroom. I had told hubby to go to bed - put our daughter to bed - I'd be fine. Then around 11pm the pain was so awful, I feared this might be "it" and it was.  We swept up   our daughter and headed to the hospital.  This ride was a bit less calm.  And when at the hospital, the doors were locked.  A "compassionate" security guard in a truck suggested I walk down the hill to the ER doors.  Mind you, at this point, it was like I was in a movie, where the ER doors as I looked up at them seemed to extend farther and farther away from me - so that was a big NO. And I was thinking - "Um I'm HAVING A BABY like ANY MINUTE!! LET ME IN THIS DOOR!" 


Then luckily for the security guard someone else who worked at the hospital happened by and used his employee card to let me in... and in a matter of 2 1/2 hours we had a baby boy! 


I now know how people could actually give birth in back of taxi's, in their cars, or anywhere for that matter.  Because when they're coming out - they're coming out!   And three years later we are so glad he's here!  He's a curly topped, sweet heart!  And we couldn't imagine our lives w/o him.

2nd little one turning 3!

Where did the time go? My little guy turned three this past week, and even in the past couple days he's speaking more clearly, and looking older. It's enough to break your heart, while making you so proud. I fear I'm not capturing all the fun and adorable moments, and phrases, and just hope I have enough to make me melancholic years from now (if I can find a way to connect my video camera to any device that will play the old digital tapes!).

Both kids do the coffee dance when I grind coffee. He told me the other day when I was wearing a long flowing black skirt (that I feel rather Amish in when I wear it) that I looked like a Princess. That made my day and changed my outlook for the whole day. :)

A couple days after Easter, he came downstairs and said 'I got a nice Easter basket yesterday.'

I was glad he was happy, and impressed he knew 'yesterday' referred to the past. He always says, "your welcome," and mostly remembers to say, "please." He's growing up nicely.

My 2yr old is "reading"

At daycare they noted my little guy "read" the story, "The monster at the end of this book" to the class today. He "reads" other books, like "Goodnight moon" and "The Big Red Barn" and almost can recite "Hand Hand Fingers Thumb" w/out even looking at the book. It's like he's seeing the monkeys in his head and telling me what scene he's recalling - and they're pretty much in order.

Second birthday

Today was our little guys 2nd birthday! I designed a Super Why cake that I was happy with, that we had today. Our great friends joined us yesterday for a "joint" celebration for hubby and little guy. There was much fun to be had all weekend!

Full of life and love

I tucked each child in tonight before going to bed as I always do - but tonight I saw peace and beauty in my dear sweet girl, and calm strength in my dear sweet boy. We don't have the neatest home...we are basically a mess. We can sometimes be a loud house, with stress, anxiety, and life's pressures all around us. But one thing we have is love. Love for each other. Love and gratitude...for beautiful, kind-hearted children who are full of life, sweetness and tenderness; for good family and friends to nourish our hearts; good food to nourish our bodies; good music to nourish our minds; good faith to nourish our souls.

May I provide my children with a strong foundation from which to grow, a safe place to cultivate who they are, as well as to return when they need comfort, and a pleasant place that brings them happy memories in their future. May my children always stay full of the bold exuberance that makes them special people and brings smiles to others' faces wherever they go!

Little boy is learning every day

So it amazes me - he can count to 10 on his own. He knows the alphabet song - singing with specific letters (abc, p, v). He loves singing it the usual way, and the "Super Why" way that Alpha Pig sings in almost every episode. He really likes Super Why/Wyatt, and of course gets a kick out of Elmo and Curious George. But nothing compares to his love of music. I only hope I've managed to capture special moments to remember on video and photos. He knows the videos by site of the listing photo, and by name. And then sings along - that's getting clearer each day. He carries his Mickey song book that plays tunes - and he knows "Frer a Jacque". Will request "Row Row", "Happy and you know it" and "hokey pokey" - anything where you sing and dance is a big hit!
The other night he put his hands in his pj arms, and said "Two Hands". He's counting!
And he zips up his own pj's - and I of course make a big deal out of it. He's constantly amazing me! :)

"Night night...Octpeeus"

We love when the little ones are still young enough to not yet speak perfectly. It's a constant battle to teaching them or letting them linger a little while in the imperfection of speaking. For example, his little musical octopus with songs, and 'circle,' 'square,' 'triangle,' and 'star' is currently "Octpeeus". I love it!

Little by little words start as one thing and then form to the real word. We're so happy when they learn to say the word correctly, but I won't lie...I love the made up words. It doesn't last long. They're sponges - they're smart - they learn and form words quickly. At least my kids do...they're constantly around talking parents! So when he says "snack" and then quickly correctly says, "snap" as we dress him, he's thrilled as am I that he got the "p" sound. But I thought "snack" was cute.

My other recent favorite is "edemame" is "oh me oh my."

His "Hand Hand Finger Thumb" book is "tum tum".

His "Oh my, Oh my, Oh dinosaur" book is "Oh my Oh my book."

His "Go Dog, Go" book is "Go Go."

Katherine is "sis, sis" - and sometimes he says it with much VERVE! He loves to play with her - it's amazing how well they get along at 2 and 6. It warms my heart when I hear them running around together!