Stickers

Big Boy Pants!
Day One
Day Eight
That's all it took. Stickers. Yes, amazing even to me, that's all it took. This was one of those events in Motherhood that I had been dreading. When do I start him? How will I know he's ready? How am I going to deal with the accidents? remembering to remind him? not getting frustrated if it doesn't seem to work?

Fortunately, my first child let me know when he was ready. He just recently turned 2 1/2, so I knew it was coming. We read books about the potty. We showed him his potty seat. But never did we say, "It's time you start learning how to use the potty, Kid." He woke up last Tuesday and said he needed to use the toilet. I took him in the bathroom, not really expecting anything, then I heard the lovely, tinkling sound in the toilet-- he went! I, of course, went crazy, hurriedly made a potty chart, and the stickers began. I'm not saying he hasn't wet his big boys pants, and he's definitely not wanting to go #2 on the potty yet, but we've started. And, there's no turning back. I'm pretty sure he's used the toilet more in one week than I do in a month, but that's okay. He's starting to wake up dry and stay dry all day long. Such a determined kid. He'll stare at his potty chart proudly, talking about the different stickers he's earned, excited about making his "sticker tr-ain." Amazing. I know, I know. Every child goes through it at some point or another, but never with me as his mom. I love this boy!

Working Woman

Ethan loves to sit on the chair behind me while I work during Logan's morning nap. For me: not so comfortable....

It feels like it's been an extremely long time since I've blogged. I've been so busy! Not only did Joe bring our things back to AZ from Idaho, but I've unpacked like a madwoman (to get it over with, since unpacking/packing depresses me), AND I got a job-- yes, a job! Plus side is: I do it from home at any time I want and for as long as I want. I am so excited for it. I like to feel like I'm contributing something financially, though I know I contribute a lot as a homemaker. Down side is (and I knew I would do this), I've been working any possible second I may have a free moment (which is not very often). So, I now feel more tired and like I have less time to read a few minutes or even just sit and relax. Why do I do this to myself? I don't know. I guess the quote is true with everything: "Moderation in all things." I am trying.

miracles

Miracle: an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.

What better way to describe my children? Both during pregnancy and after birth, it's been nothing but one amazement after another.

At times, I ask myself: Are my days too monotonous? What is there about staying at home with two kids-- two NEEDY kids, at that-- that should make my life feel fulfilled? But, my days are NOT monotonous. In fact, they are quite the opposite.

Who would've known?

Ethan, at almost 2 1/2, does and says at LEAST twenty funny and amazing things a day. He likes to look at the bright side of things. He woke up from his nap today, having wet through his diaper and onto his sheet, looks at the wet spot, and gleefully declares, "I make a CIRCLE!" He also thinks he can do anything and is all powerful, too. He tells the sun, shining on him through the blinds during breakfast, "No, sun. No. Go, sun. Go." I came in the room the other day, after his nap, and he exclaims, "Happy Valentimes!" He has no need for Kleenex, as his snake-like tongue always does the trick, yet his hands can never, ever be dirty. And those are just a few things.

And then, there's my baby Logan, now 8-months old, who sounds like a pterodactyl when he nurses (you don't know what they sound like?-- well, I do!), prefers graham crackers to any other food, and must be fully undressed before he eats, as it is the most sensible way to feed such a messy, messy child. He's had an extreme temper since at least 4-months of age, and he will crawl to me-- bawling as though the world has ended-- if I don't pick him up fast enough. He learned at 6-months old that if he splashes at a toy in the bathtub long enough, it will eventually come to him; that way, he does not need to waste any energy crawling the 3 inches forward to get it.

How are these not amazing beings? They are! And, I am their mother! I could never, ever feel an ounce of boredom with these two as my children. I often still marvel that I am even a mother at all. Did I really go through two (agonizing!) pregnancies, two births, with two little miracles as the result? I now understand why some people have seventeen children. My personal goal is not nearly so high, but I can understand it. My children are unique individuals, yet I love them both the same-- but for different reasons. They are my boys, my miracles.

Who Cares if it's Pink?

Ethan is my favorite toddler. This is what we found in an alleyway in downtown Peoria today while taking a walk, waiting for our car to get fixed. After hitting off some of the cobwebs with my flip-flop, I let him ride it down the street to the auto shop. Once there, we used some shop rags and some good 'ole drinking fountain water to wash it up. I'm pretty sure the mechanics got a kick out of him almost as much as I did. One spider and hundreds of cobwebs later, he proudly rode his car around the shop until our bigger car was fixed. Then, much to his satisfaction and delight, I let him take it home with us. Much thanks to the little girl who previously owned this treasure: you made my little boy's day.

I Love 2. And, I Don't.

I love 2.

I love that he's talking so well and loves learning and repeating what he has learned. Colors, shapes, letters, and numbers are some of his favorites. I love that he can pick out all of the cars in parking lots like our car, Jordon's car, Grandma's car, Grandpa's car, and Tommy's car-- even if they're a different color or newer version. I love that he's not a picky eater and eats what I won't. I love that he's usually sweet and says "Luv You" and "Pease" and "Tank Tou" without encouragement. I love that he's my helper and thrives off helping with the laundry, putting clothes in the hamper, collecting the trash cans, bringing me diapers, putting dishes in the dishwasher, and plugging in his four (yes FOUR!) nightlights before bedtime. I love that he still takes naps, and that occasionally he plays in his bed for sometimes an hour or so AFTER he wakes up. I love that he sleeps through Logan's screaming. I love his fierce independence and that he loves putting on his socks and shoes by himself, and insists on buckling himself in, etc., etc., etc. I love his almost constant smile and exuberance for life. I love that the littlest things make him so happy.

And, I don't.

I don't enjoy when he runs away from me, refusing to obey, even after threats of spankings and timeouts. I don't enjoy when he laughs in my face after a spanking, which generally has little to no effect (though it's getting better). I don't enjoy that he thinks everything is his and that he can get into the fridge or his snacks whenever he pleases. I don't enjoy when he starts (joyfully!) yelling when I tell him I'm trying to get Logan down for a nap. I don't enjoy the occasional jealous moments when he takes things from Logan just because.

BUT....

What I do love about 2, my Ethan, far outweighs the things I may not always enjoy. In a way, I do not fully dislike those things that may frustrate me. For, without them, Ethan would not be Ethan, and he would not be the completely wonderful, little boy that I love. I try, daily, to count my blessing for all the good that he is and not let the frustrating times get me down. He is TWO, after all.... Someday, I will miss all his innocence.

My Baby Daddy

I am so happy to have a husband who is also a good father. Sometimes I feel like he's my third son, but it's usually in a good way. He's a big kid, and my boys love to play with him. He tries so hard to make them happy, and he misses them so much when he's gone at work during the day. I love the "baby talk" he swore he'd never do before we had kids. I love that he helps bathe them and dress them and feed them, even when he gets frustrated. I love that he spoils them a little when "mom" is not around. I love that man. He is my husband. He is a father.

Simplicity

So, we've been without TV (for the most part) for about 4 months now-- living with my in-laws who don't have one, being at my parents' house where it was rarely turned on, and now living on our own again, with our TVs in storage in Idaho. It's actually been pretty wonderful. After breakfast, the boys and I go outside, jump on the trampoline, explore the backyard, color with sidewalk chalk, play hide-and-seek, take long walks with the double stroller, go to the park.... Ethan's intensely curious about everything, and I love to see how he can find the most random things so interesting. He's been into collecting treasures lately. Give him a plastic container with pennies in it, and he's in heaven. I love to watch Logan and his reactions to things. He loves observing Ethan, too, and he smiles and tries to mimic him. I think they will be good friends. I love being a mom.