...you ask him "Are you tired, Stinkyman?" and he looks at you, all glossy eyed and slack-jawed and says "Uh-huh."
Kids generally don't admit their exhaustion. But mine just did. Looks like an early bedtime tonight! Woo-hoo!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Divide and Conquer
It's an old expression, divide and conquer. And since we've had more than two kids I feel like it's our life motto.
You take this one here while that one is napping so I can play with the other two. Or you take this one and that one since they will both fit in a cart at Costco and I'll go with these two to Target since I only need one cart spot. Or I'll take this one to the party and leave these two with you while that one plays down the street. I'll bathe the babies, you get StinkyMan and tell Curly to make sure her hair is totally rinsed out so I can comb it in a minute.
You know what? I don't like it. I mean, sometimes it's okay. A lot of times it's just practical...why doesn't EVERYONE have those double Costco like shopping carts? But it seems like it defeats family unity in a big way. And I never get to see Husband on the weekends until the kids go to bed because there is Stuff To Do. Grocery shopping, birthday parties, haircuts, school projects, new shoes, new clothes...Stuff To Do ends up eating up our together time.
So my wonderful friend Jamie has gifted us with passes to a local museum and I am so looking forward to going with my family. Being all together for one outing sounds awesome. I know it will probably be a little crazy, but I am going to try to remember that the reason for the trip is not relaxation, but togetherness. I think any mom of many will tell you that togetherness on an outing of any kind is more harried than relaxing, but I need to let it go. The kids won't remember if their hands were dirty because the last wipey got used on the baby or that we get dirty looks for using a child backpack/leash thing (I don't want to hear it. You've never met Peanut. She's fearless and nutty.) They won't know that Mommy inwardly counts heads every 3 seconds. They'll just remember we were together. And that is all that counts.
So when I come back here and say "NEVER AGAIN!" after our trip, which is not outside the realm of possibility, remind me to reread this post and be thankful that we had some together time because as soon as we get home it will be back to divide and conquer.
You take this one here while that one is napping so I can play with the other two. Or you take this one and that one since they will both fit in a cart at Costco and I'll go with these two to Target since I only need one cart spot. Or I'll take this one to the party and leave these two with you while that one plays down the street. I'll bathe the babies, you get StinkyMan and tell Curly to make sure her hair is totally rinsed out so I can comb it in a minute.
You know what? I don't like it. I mean, sometimes it's okay. A lot of times it's just practical...why doesn't EVERYONE have those double Costco like shopping carts? But it seems like it defeats family unity in a big way. And I never get to see Husband on the weekends until the kids go to bed because there is Stuff To Do. Grocery shopping, birthday parties, haircuts, school projects, new shoes, new clothes...Stuff To Do ends up eating up our together time.
So my wonderful friend Jamie has gifted us with passes to a local museum and I am so looking forward to going with my family. Being all together for one outing sounds awesome. I know it will probably be a little crazy, but I am going to try to remember that the reason for the trip is not relaxation, but togetherness. I think any mom of many will tell you that togetherness on an outing of any kind is more harried than relaxing, but I need to let it go. The kids won't remember if their hands were dirty because the last wipey got used on the baby or that we get dirty looks for using a child backpack/leash thing (I don't want to hear it. You've never met Peanut. She's fearless and nutty.) They won't know that Mommy inwardly counts heads every 3 seconds. They'll just remember we were together. And that is all that counts.
So when I come back here and say "NEVER AGAIN!" after our trip, which is not outside the realm of possibility, remind me to reread this post and be thankful that we had some together time because as soon as we get home it will be back to divide and conquer.
Monday, March 30, 2009
His name is StinkyMan
It has been brought to my attention that some people do not feel that I should call StinkyMan, well, StinkyMan. Obviously, this is not his real name. Ever since I read about a total nutjob who tracked a little boy down from a newspaper picture in Florida and did horrible, unspeakable things, I choose to keep them largely anonymous. If a crackpot can find a kid out of a newspaper pic, then I would think there are more crackpots and easier information access on the internet.
So I gave them their Blog Names. And apparently it bothers some people that while my girls have sweeter names, my son has a name that indicates he is somehow smelly.
First of all, he is not smelly. I do bathe him, as much if not more than my girls, for he likes to hop in the shower with his dad in addition to regular baths. He is not really yucky or stinky or dirty in any way. The name came from when he was a baby and he pooped once every 14 days and when he finally went, it was HORRENDOUSLY smelly. He was my stinky little man. And the name stuck.
So why are the girls all sweetness and light? Curly is Curly due to her hair, Peanut is Peanut due to her size and BabyGirl being BabyGirl is fairly obvious. But what you don't know is that IRL (in real life) it is a different story.
Curly is often called Poops or Mumu. Peanut is often called La Poo. BabyGirl is often called 'Tinky (short for Stinky). And StinkyMan? He's usually called "Bubby".
So see? It's equal opportunity smelly nickname assignments around here. No one is playing favorites and no one is being mean. They are all equally StinkyPeople.
So I gave them their Blog Names. And apparently it bothers some people that while my girls have sweeter names, my son has a name that indicates he is somehow smelly.
First of all, he is not smelly. I do bathe him, as much if not more than my girls, for he likes to hop in the shower with his dad in addition to regular baths. He is not really yucky or stinky or dirty in any way. The name came from when he was a baby and he pooped once every 14 days and when he finally went, it was HORRENDOUSLY smelly. He was my stinky little man. And the name stuck.
So why are the girls all sweetness and light? Curly is Curly due to her hair, Peanut is Peanut due to her size and BabyGirl being BabyGirl is fairly obvious. But what you don't know is that IRL (in real life) it is a different story.
Curly is often called Poops or Mumu. Peanut is often called La Poo. BabyGirl is often called 'Tinky (short for Stinky). And StinkyMan? He's usually called "Bubby".
So see? It's equal opportunity smelly nickname assignments around here. No one is playing favorites and no one is being mean. They are all equally StinkyPeople.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
My boy is turning 4
4 years ago I was in labor. I was induced at 38 weeks, but had been utterly miserable for much, much longer.
It started at 31 weeks with some spotting and contractions. Bed rest was ordered, along with twice weekly stress tests and weekly doctors appointments. In the middle of all that Husband had received a job transfer and we were selling our house and buying a new one nearly 2 hours away.
But I had finally made it to "Baby Day" as I recall saying to Best Friend when I called to tell her the doctor had given the green light to an induction. We knew we were having a boy. We did not know yet what his name would be...we were at a stalemate there. But we were excited to add to our family.
Labor was uneventful but difficult. I took the epidural as I had with Curly, but was also on magnesium for high blood pressure and that stuff made me see triple and vomit. Not fun.
At 12:44 in the morning he was born. He was perfect, ten amazing fingers and 10 tiny, perfect toes. I won the name game, as I think most women do after they deliver their husbands' offspring.
He is an incredible kid. If there is one thing I have learned in 4 years it's that he will never cease to amaze me. He is so smart...often sitting next to Curly and completing her homework assignments with her. He is stubborn; the only one so far who will not give in to the rules simply because we say so. He has the biggest heart. He loves his sisters wholly and can be devastated when the sisters he loves do something to him that is less than lovable. He is brave. He is sweet. He has the greatest giggle ever. He gives good hugs and is the most likely to commit random acts of snuggling. And of course he is the most handsome boy in town.
Happy Birthday StinkyMan. I love you more than you can know. Thanks for being such a great kid.
It started at 31 weeks with some spotting and contractions. Bed rest was ordered, along with twice weekly stress tests and weekly doctors appointments. In the middle of all that Husband had received a job transfer and we were selling our house and buying a new one nearly 2 hours away.
But I had finally made it to "Baby Day" as I recall saying to Best Friend when I called to tell her the doctor had given the green light to an induction. We knew we were having a boy. We did not know yet what his name would be...we were at a stalemate there. But we were excited to add to our family.
Labor was uneventful but difficult. I took the epidural as I had with Curly, but was also on magnesium for high blood pressure and that stuff made me see triple and vomit. Not fun.
At 12:44 in the morning he was born. He was perfect, ten amazing fingers and 10 tiny, perfect toes. I won the name game, as I think most women do after they deliver their husbands' offspring.
He is an incredible kid. If there is one thing I have learned in 4 years it's that he will never cease to amaze me. He is so smart...often sitting next to Curly and completing her homework assignments with her. He is stubborn; the only one so far who will not give in to the rules simply because we say so. He has the biggest heart. He loves his sisters wholly and can be devastated when the sisters he loves do something to him that is less than lovable. He is brave. He is sweet. He has the greatest giggle ever. He gives good hugs and is the most likely to commit random acts of snuggling. And of course he is the most handsome boy in town.
Happy Birthday StinkyMan. I love you more than you can know. Thanks for being such a great kid.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Deal alert!
I already put up the Deal of the Day today, but I could not let this one go by unposted. Click HERE for great deals on ladies swimsuits. Lands End is a great product line and these suits run as high as $99 otherwise. Even better use code FREESHIPPING PIN Number: 0006021 to get it sent to your door for nothing. And if you don't like it you can take it to your closest Sears to return it no problem. Check it out!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
First foods
It is time to start BabyGirl on solids. Actually, it's past the time she can start which is widely considered to be 4 months. She is 7 months today (can you believe it?!) and it is time to give her something besides "nursey" as my kids call it.
Apparently my children have caught on to the fact that the time for more than breast milk has come, because StinkyMan just emerged from the nursery, bag of tortilla chips in hand and said "Mommy, BabyGirl likes chips!"
Being the 4th kid is hazardous to her health. It'll be a wonder if she makes it to adulthood safely.
Apparently my children have caught on to the fact that the time for more than breast milk has come, because StinkyMan just emerged from the nursery, bag of tortilla chips in hand and said "Mommy, BabyGirl likes chips!"
Being the 4th kid is hazardous to her health. It'll be a wonder if she makes it to adulthood safely.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
kid speak
My kids got a new game from my friend Claud this past weekend called "1,2,3, Octopus and Me." StinkyMan is especially excited because he loves games of all kinds. So all day long he has been asking me to play. And I have been putting him off.
Why, you ask? Because every time he asks to play it, he says "Mommy, can we play '1,2,3 Octocles and Me"? and I think it is the cutest thing I have ever heard and I want to make him say it again. Maybe it's a cross between octopus and tentacles. More likely he just hears it wrong.
Kids make the funniest things out of words. Octocles for octopus is my current favorite. Around here you will hear "meyote" instead of "remote" when we want to change the channel and running around without your shoes or socks is called "polar bear feet". That little gem was from Curly when she was 3 and I cannot let it go.
Scholars and educators alike would say that I should not encourage these mispronunciations or phrase misinterpretations. It's a disservice to the children. I had a friend who was in high school before she knew refrigerator magnets weren't really called "ree-rees".
Experts be damned. They are only young once. And if my world is full of Octocles and Polar Bear feet then that is a-ok with me. I asked Curly once if she knew where the REmote was, and she promptly handed it to me. So she does know. And my friend with the ree-rees? Yeah, she called them ree-rees even as an adult and her daughter called them ree-rees too when she was small. My friend has her Master's degree. She's no slouch.
It doesn't hurt to let them be little. They become so wise so fast, sometimes too fast. They will learn "the right words" soon enough. I don't need to correct them. I just use the right words and they'll catch on eventually. Selfishly I hope eventually comes later as opposed to sooner. I'm not ready to give up the octocles any time soon.
Why, you ask? Because every time he asks to play it, he says "Mommy, can we play '1,2,3 Octocles and Me"? and I think it is the cutest thing I have ever heard and I want to make him say it again. Maybe it's a cross between octopus and tentacles. More likely he just hears it wrong.
Kids make the funniest things out of words. Octocles for octopus is my current favorite. Around here you will hear "meyote" instead of "remote" when we want to change the channel and running around without your shoes or socks is called "polar bear feet". That little gem was from Curly when she was 3 and I cannot let it go.
Scholars and educators alike would say that I should not encourage these mispronunciations or phrase misinterpretations. It's a disservice to the children. I had a friend who was in high school before she knew refrigerator magnets weren't really called "ree-rees".
Experts be damned. They are only young once. And if my world is full of Octocles and Polar Bear feet then that is a-ok with me. I asked Curly once if she knew where the REmote was, and she promptly handed it to me. So she does know. And my friend with the ree-rees? Yeah, she called them ree-rees even as an adult and her daughter called them ree-rees too when she was small. My friend has her Master's degree. She's no slouch.
It doesn't hurt to let them be little. They become so wise so fast, sometimes too fast. They will learn "the right words" soon enough. I don't need to correct them. I just use the right words and they'll catch on eventually. Selfishly I hope eventually comes later as opposed to sooner. I'm not ready to give up the octocles any time soon.
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