Make a wish

My sweet sweet Eliot is turning 1. A whole year has gone by since I was in that hospital room wondering what on earth I was thinking birthing him naturally. I am so happy we are at this milestone. Eliot is so happy and silly as he learns to toddle, insists on drinking water from my cup and eating what is on my plate. "None of that baby food for me mom!" Oh and tonight he grabbed his sister with all his might and hugged his sister to his cheek with a look of sheer joy and fierce determination. We all better watch out, this little guy has plans!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

paddling in circles

Do you ever have those days when you need to get a few things done but just simply don't feel like it? So you finally push through that legargic unmotivated obstacle and get into a tiny part of that to do item and then the kids get clingy?

When I locked Eliot and my keys in the car this morning I should have given myself a hug and said, take it easy today nothing needs to get done that bad. But for some reason I just can't be ok with it today. My house is in post tornado aftermath, my little man's two front teeth are cutting, I am exhausted.

Where is God, right now?

My daughter prepared me early for the tough questions most parents dread. At 2 1/2 she marched into my office one afternoon and informed me she had a penis in her vagina. Unsure where to even begin I finally replied with, "So how does that feel?" Her response: "It tickles"

So I knew there would be many interesting Q and A sessions in my future. Now at 3 1/2 we discuss God a lot. Where is he, can he come to school with her tomorrow, etc. Since I am still figuring out some of those answers I tell her I am not sure and we discuss. God is everywhere doesn't work at 3, she just looks around the room and back to me as if to say, "Are you jokin me mom?"

So one night just before I turn the light out Aresa says she would like to visit God. So I say great, in your prayers tonight ask him if you can come visit. Why not?

Next morning we are down getting breakfast ready and I remember the request from the previous night. I ask her, "Did you visit God last night?"
"No. Yes, I was joyful with him, but then he had to do some work"
"Oh, did you get to go with him to do the work?"
"yes"
"Did you get to help him?"
"No mommy, God doesn't need my help."

Well, don't I feel silly ;)

A conessuir of dirt

I recall the child safety information with my first baby. I went ahead and plugged all the outlets, put a lock on the fridge, etc. but Aresa wasn't mischievous that way. Or so I thought. Now I am realizing she would have gotten into everything if I had made things available.

With my second child, little Eliot the toilet splasher, there is a whole world of wonderful things to explore, often because big sister doesn't remember our constant talks about keeping things off the floor. Today has been particularly interesting/challenging depending of which of us you ask. I have pulled paper, a large rock, blue marker, a hair ball (you know, those balls of hair that come off clothes after they've been dried), and a big hunk of dirt out of Eliot's mouth. Well, not the dirt, by the time I caught that most of it had gone down hatch.

At least I was able to get most things out but my sanity is eating away at itself :) And this too shall pass. Maybe that should be the name of this blog.

Excuse me, where is your restroom?

I have two children Aresa is 3 and Eliot is 10 months. When Aresa went mobile I frantically plugged outlets and locked the toilet seat down. This proved to be very challenging for guests. Even a ivy league education doesn't prepare you for outsmarting an infant. But Aresa didn't care about the toilet, nothing about it was interesting.

Then Eliot came along. He is a very easy going, happy guy. I am able to basically block off the upstairs and let him explore on all fours. But baby El is as curious as a cat. 4 times yesterday I found him... you guessed it...playing in the toilet. Are you kidding me? He hates taking a bath, but cold water that has the potential to be gross, he is thrilled.

Ever time I turned around he had bolted in there. Whole different road. But my mother-in-law reminded me it runs in his genes. She loves to tell stories about my sweet husband jumping around in the toilet in his brand new shoes at about 4 years old.

Ok, off to find my toilet locks. Have a great day!