underwear

So, Bubba decided yesterday that he was going to wear underwear.  I put them on him in the morning, put on a nappy for nap, and back on after the nap.  He had no accidents through the day and told me every time he needed to use the toilet.  He did have one accident, but it was outside after supper and it was cold.  He did NOT like the feel of wet jeans.  Today he did it again. Told me every time, held it, and went--today we even did it standing up.  We did wear a pull up to the grocery store, but went to the bathroom twice while we were there (at his request) and he actually went both times.  Had to stop on the side of the road on the way home, but he did go as he claimed he needed to. Had two small accidents--one outside before supper (because he was playing with water "helping" wash our dear neighbour's car), and one when we got home from the grocery store because he was mad and crying on the floor.

I was NOT ready for this.  He's my little man--my baby.  I wasn't planning on doing this until we got back from traveling!!!  Guess it's not really my choice.  He's ready.  But where did my cuddly, nappy-wearing boy go?  He speaks more clearly than he should for his age, though I won't complain.  He can already ride the Princess's bicycle and peddle without help.  He's so independent.  He's turning into a little boy and outgrowing that toddler stage.  Not sure I'm ready to let that happen, but what mama is?

While I'm thinking, I've been meaning to write down our version of Rock a Bye Baby
Rock a bye, baby, in mama's arms
Nothing can hurt you, you'll come to no harm
Close I will keep you, I'll hold you tight
I'll rock and protect you, all through the night
Much better than being dropped out of a tree in the wind.

naps and tears

I have successfully put my entire family down for naps--even the husband.  Actually, the children put Daddy down for a nap--they tucked him in and even read him a story.  Puff the Magic Dragon.  Such a sweet sound.  Then off to naps for them.  I am left to finish rinsing and then putting out to dry the load of nappies.  If I'm fast, I may even be able to sneak in another cup of coffee.  Might be pushing it, but we'll see.

We attended my uncle's 80th birthday party last night, and I had a surprisingly nice time.  For whatever reason, we don't very often get together as a large family so I haven't seen my uncle, his children, and his grand and great grandchildren for years.  The lovely part of the evening was talking to one of my older cousins, who gave me an unexpected memory of my mom.  She cried when she talked about her, and if felt so good to have someone else remember her and miss her.  She told me about all the cakes my mom made and decorated for her, and for just a moment I had a connection to my mom.  For a few seconds I could hear her laugh and remember the feel of her arms around me.  I don't have a lot of those memories.  I wish I did.  I miss her.  It will be twenty-six years this November 6th.  How have I survived without her?  How did I have a wedding day or birth two children without her encouragement?  How do I breathe?

Most of the time I think I'm fine, but the days that I think about her are bittersweet.  I long for just one more hug, one more touch, one more "I love you."  So I pour my longing into my kids--I give them what I long for.  I need a hug, I give one.  I need a touch, I caress their faces.  I need to hear "I love you," I tell them.  And I thank God in his wisdom for choosing the perfect children to chase away my tears.

Bubba

I was having a few quiet moments to myself--four children napping (my two and the two I watch).  This was an amazing moment as this rarely happens.  The two two-year-olds usually nap, but the three and four rarely do.  I had a cup of coffee, messed around with this blog, and then I heard the door open to the bedroom.  Bubba.

So my quiet moment has been interrupted by my boy.  We don't often get snuggle time, just he and I, so I will take this as a lovely moment.  My Bubba is such a love.  He's gentle, funny, and very verbal.  He has recently decided that he can use the toilet (not for everything, but I'm fine with that as the job he's chosen to master first is the dirtiest one).

Bubba is also a bit of a stinker.  He is always after my coffee, which he loves.  Don't worry.  I don't let him really drink it.  He usually gets the drips at the end of my cup.  Today he bit little M--twice.  When I asked him why, he said "I'm just crabby, Mom."  Well, we all have those days.  Where would I be without this guy?  He makes me smile and laugh.  He melts my heart.  He always asks "You happy with me, Mom?"  Oh yes, Bubby.  I'm happy with you.  I couldn't be happier.  God chose you for me because he knew I needed your smiles and sillies.  Bub is a lot like his daddy.  Both of them can make me smile even when I'm angry with them.

So much for a nice quiet time to write.  Bubba wants to play "the milky and the apple" game.  I have no idea what that is.  But I'll figure it out. . . for him.   Because I love him.

kenmore model 116

For some reason, when I clicked in the title bar today, the phrase "kenmore model 116" popped up as a choice.  At first I couldn't figure it out, but now I remember that is the make and model of my vacuum--the one that Stu had to replace.  Twice.  The first time it did legitimately blow up on its own.  Burned out the motor.  Stu ordered one we thought would replace it off ebay.  It didn't work, but Stu thought he could rig it to work.  In the middle of his rewiring attempt, I switched it on--frying the thing.  Don't worry.  I didn't fry Stu.  So, back to ebay for another vacuum.  I haven't ruined it yet.  :)

What is this like??

"What is this like, Mom?"  Our favourite game.  A ripped piece of paper becomes a camel, a sandwich becomes a heart, a cloud is most assuredly a dragon.  Every where the kids and I look, we try to find the pictures hidden in the composition.  Bubba is especially into this now--love getting to play with him.  When Cotton Babies posted a question for a contest to win free nappies about how I encourage a  "creative, artistic spirit in your baby, toddler or young child?" I immediately thought of this game we play.  We love to find things lurking in the ordinary.

After contemplating this a bit, I guess I do more than I think I do.


We make up stories all the time.  We become characters from the stories and act out all the scenes.  We dance like maniacs and sing at the top of our lungs.  We listen to Mozart at full volume and let the walls shake (for about 5 minutes, after which my head hurts and we have to turn it down), after which we swing to big band music and mosh to the local rock station. We read, read, read, read, and read.  We paint with edible mediums (pudding and sweetened condensed milk with food colouring).  We dig in the dirt.  We plant flowers and talk about how amazing it was that God created such incredible things--especially how God created our minds to work in such phenomenal ways.  We use big words and think of synonyms for them. We just play.


I would love to play the discovery game with the new Tiny Socialite Collection bumGenius 4.0 Artist Series--love to let the kids stare at the wild prints and find out what they could "see" in the prints.  I know the names of the prints offer suggestions, but it would be more fun to just let them hunt for pictures.

What do you see in the prints?  Check them out on www.cottonbabies.com or www.bumgenius.com

haircuts and the letter N

Had a lovely time this morning with two sisters, enjoying coffee and adultish conversation.  Seems that no matter how much moms try to speak about adult things, conversation always slides back to nappies and all things baby.  But speaking of nappies, got to show off my Bubba's cloth-covered bum to one mom.  She had no idea that cloth diapers had come so far.  Her comment was that if she was having another (which she isn't planning on), she'd consider cloth if they looked like that.  When I told her about the new prints on the BGs, she was amazed.  Now, her younger sister--who has two in diapers--didn't jump up and scream "I'm gonna git me some of them." She did seem to know a little about them, though.  Who knows.  Maybe I'll get a convert.

Lunch with my friend Amy was lovely--followed by a haircut for the resident princess.  Said princess is now pouting and crying on the living room floor because

• she can't make a proper letter S or N
• she can't reach to put the marker back on her own

Pictures in Sioux City tomorrow--new tire as well as an oil change for the car.  Should be a nice day.  Warm.

screaming children, cold coffee

Just saw Bubba sitting on a toy drum--told me he was going potty.  Great.  Next time I see something wet in the drum I won't assume some child has filled it with water.  So, screaming children. I started watching two others during the days, which has added to my incidences of cold coffee.  It's been a challenge, but a good thing.  Of course there have been frustrations as the kids adjust to one another.  For the most part, however, they do quite well together.  The littlest even claps for me when I go to the bathroom.  What a wonderful audience.  Gotta love kids.  Really, though, how many can say they get a standing ovation for performing bodily functions?

Pat the patio cat is perched on the ledge of our front picture window, watching us. He spends a good deal of his days watching us, either from there or from the patio.I kind of wish that I liked cats.  Pat would make a great pet and would be a great house cat for someone.  Just not for us--can't stand cat hair on clothes or furniture.

Should post this and go sit with the kids.  EK has already knocked all the books of the middle shelf of their bookshelf.  I need a camera that goes into the play room.  Maybe after we redo that room.  Happy Thursday.