Good Night Crib

Brad is again trying to grow up on me. I only moved Cole out of the crib because I needed it for Brad. This time around I swore I would keep Brad in there as long as I could. WHY does he think he wants a big boy bed?

Last night Brad wouldn't sleep in his crib because he said there were dragons in there. Right. (thank you Cole) Today he wouldn't nap because..... there were dragons in there. Tonight, you got it, dragons. I pulled out all the tricks and I can't get that kid to sleep in his crib. So in my infinite mommy wisdom, I decided to keep him up. He'll have to go to sleep sometime right? Wrong. He stayed up and talked about "nokey nokey" (Pinocchio) Then at 11pm when I figured he was tired enough to fall asleep without fighting we headed upstairs for bed.

SIDE NOTE:I turned the lights off and he said "oh, it dark!" When did he learn that? It just dawned on me that he knows the differences. I don't recall TEACHING light/dark or day/night, but he's learning it anyway. Bittersweet.

I tell him to go into his room and Brad matter-of-factly said "No, I sleep in Co-Be's bed" and walked away. He crawled into bed next to his brother and is fast asleep.

Is this a phase? Does he just want someone close by because he's scared? Does this mean he needs a big boy bed? I can't do it. I can not take down that crib. I don't want to take it down thinking it might not be used again. So, he's going to have to tough it out till Keith gets home. And I'm not strong enough to carry the mattress upstairs by myself. I refuse to give a big boy room to my infant son.

Quick what are some nice dragon movies I can sway him with? Parenting at it's finest.

We Have a Cuspid

Another big day in the mouth of Brad! He has a lower cuspid poking through his gum line. This should be logged in a baby book, but my boys are dentally challenged. Actually, it appears he's not THAT far off with his lower cuspids. He's just over 26 months for the average 17-23 month range. Not shabby!

The upper gum line is what's worrying me. He's missing an upper lateral incisor. The average 9-13 month old has em'. Over a year behind there. He's also missing an upper cuspid.

Well, I love that gappy mouth smile. He can sway me with the gummy bridge. And if it keeps the girls from calling or strutting across my doorstep, then I just might never take him to the dentist. That's normal, right?

EDITED TO ADD: The other lower cuspid broke through 9-14-08!! Now we're minus 3 teeth and counting!

Best.Idea.Ever.

Why hasn't someone told me about this wonderful store? Really! We've been here a year and 2 months and I am regretting not finding this place 14 months ago. I'm sure some people are laughing at this. It's like I've discovered Wal-Mart. Get this - THEY HAVE FREE CHILDCARE!

They have a Starbucks, groceries with a nice organic section and produce, household goods liking Bed Bath and Beyond, flowers, clothes, furniture, a jewelry store, toys, shoes, camping gear... and all of it can be covered while your kids are in the PLAYROOM! Too bad it's in Boise, but just might be worth the drive. I'm not kidding, the drive alone might be worth drinking Starbucks with friends while kids are being watched for free. Anyone want to have a girls day out at Fred Myer? Maybe I wouldn't be so excited about this place if I wasn't at the tail end of a deployment. Dang Air Force has me all excited over a grocery store. I have to get out more.

Kindergarten

My Baby. Can you believe it? I feel like telling you to hang on to your britches, here comes the life long learning train. One would think there would be time to collect your thoughts and reflect on such a milestone. There wasn't. It was a hurry and get ready morning, eat your breakfast and go. Find a parking spot, hurry though the gate someone is holding open for you... then you take off to the playground.

That was it - welcome to your first day of kindergarten. I guess it's a good thing. You like the school, are comfortable with the teachers, and already spotted your friends. It makes it easier to not be sad. It's a private school so in a way I still feel like I'm protecting you. AND you have to do it again next year because of your late birthday. No need to get all sad and weepy today, it's just dress rehearsal. Not that the heart-of-stone would ever get sad and weepy over such a big day in her baby's life. But I do wonder what you're doing right now, and if your happy or nervous or scared. Are you listening to your teachers, confused by the directions? Do you know where the bathroom is? SIGH - You do.

Thank you to Mrs. Owen, Mrs. Cool, Ms. Meagan, and Mrs. McCaw for the easy transition from preschool to here. What is there to be sad about? Now... whatever will I do with my time? Oh ya, I think your brother is into the markers! Have a good year baby. I love you forever - As long as I'm living my Colby you'll be.

FOUND!!!

Whew - My earrings have been found. YIPPIE!!! I want to jump up and down. There they were just sitting on my dresser. How did they ever get there? Seriously, I meticulously went through the vacuum bag (vomica) and was even tempted to go through the dog and cat poop thinking they swallowed them. Man, what timing on that one!!! Thank you God ;-)

Honey, I found my wedding day earrings. All is well and I think I can now make it a few more weeks (it sounds better than months)

Not Gonna Do It

Brad, my baby, sweet little guy, just born yesterday thinks he is ready to be potty trained. I find this highly impossible and am happy to overlook the HUGE signs pointing to his excitement over this. I am lazy, and I don't believe in infant training.

The past few nights he's been telling me "pee pee potty mommy". He takes his own diaper off and goes into the bathroom. I lift him on the toilet and he pees. Great. He will get out of the bathtub to pee (good news for Cole!), and thinks flushing is the best part! He's even tried #2.

So today I bought him a ring to sit on top of the lid so I don't have to hold him in place. Do you know that little bugger went without a diaper all evening after dinner, peed 3 times and didn't have any accidents? Well, that's fine and dandy, but I'm not ready to train him.

He's got another thing coming if he's trying to grow up on me. I should write a potty training book on reverse psychology. I could be on Oprah and get to meet George Strait....... Maybe I'll start training tomorrow.

Heartbroken

I'm over this deployment. When we were in Texas, Cole stubbed his toe and hysterically kept crying for his daddy. That was his trigger. Stubbing his toe and all his feelings of missing his dad came rushing over him. I couldn't console him. Today was my trigger.

I've lost my diamond earrings. Keith bought a pair of diamond earrings for me on our wedding day. As I was getting ready, he went to the small jeweler across the street from the Embassy Suites. He bought these earrings he probably couldn't afford. I loved them and now they're gone. There were my "something new" - my only traditional thing in my nontraditional wedding. Wearing them reminded me of Lake Tahoe and saying "I do" to my love. They're gone. Keith's gone. It sucks.

I want them back, and I need Keith back.

Granted, they are earrings - a material possession. Somewhat replaceable. ;-) My kids are healthy and Keith is safe. Life will go on, but tonight I am sad. And I'll forever be sad when I think of my groom handing me the small package before we left to get married. The boys gave me a group hug tonight in an effort to cheer me up. As they are squeezing my neck, their heads nestled on my shoulders, it reminded me of the pair I have now. The pair that isn't missing. If that is my trade up, I'll keep em'