Thankful

I am thankful that Gavin wears out the name "Mommy."

I am thankful that Kailee is shrill.

I am thankful that Gavin asks the same question 50 times a day.

I am thankful that Kailee climbs on everything and about gives me a heart attack.

I am thankful that Gavin talks back to me sometimes.

I am thankful that Kailee can destroy a perfectly clean room in less than 5 minutes.

I am thankful that Gavin sometimes gets poop all over his hands when wiping.

I am thankful that Kailee got poop all over her face last weekend.

I am thankful that these are the things that I normally complain about. 

I am thankful that I only have trivial worries. 

I am thankful that both of my children are healthy.

It is so easy to get caught up in the minor annoyances of daily life and become very stressed about these things.  The reality is, I have it pretty easy in the long scheme of things.  Our priest has said on two occasions that when parents complain to him about messy rooms, he says, "Go to Children's Medical Center and tell those parents about your complaints.  I guarantee you they'd switch worries in a heartbeat."  I have it lucky.  I am truly blessed, and today I am counting my blessings instead of my sorrows.

Sunday School

I am in a really awesome Sunday school class and every week that I'm there, I get something out of the lesson. Here are some of the things that have impacted me:

January 16th:
"Sometimes we are so right, we are wrong."  We get so caught up in the rules that we forget the reasons behind them and then mess up.  I totally have done this myself.

January 30th:
Our teacher said that many people ignore little signs of God's presence and refuse to recognize them as miracles.  I am glad that I can recognize the little miracles in my life.  I am grateful for miracles of any size!

Today:
Among other things, the food for thought: "If the USA were a Christian nation, we would not have a military."  If you think about it, it's true.

OMG!

Would you guess this face did something so gross?!?!

A few minutes ago, Kailee came into the game room with what I immediately thought was peanut butter all over her face.  I FREAKED out thinking maybe Gavin had hid a sandwich and she had found it.  Kailee is allergic to peanut butter so naturally I'm thinking, "I have to get the epi-pen."  Then Gavin says, "Maybe it's poop."  My heart stops.  I sniff her hand and confirm that Gavin is correct.  That adorable, mischievous little girl opened her diaper pail (it's one of those that is almost impossible to get into unless it's full, in which case, the last diaper stays in the thing you flip into the pail) and helped herself to the diaper I had just changed.  She dispersed the wipes around her bedroom too.

This has been the grossest week of motherhood!

Discussing God with a 4-year-old

Gavin has so many questions about God right now and sometimes his questions stump me.  The reason I find his questions difficult is that my answers do not always satisfy him.  For example, today in the car he asked me if there was one God or a lot of gods.  I told him there was one. He then asked me if God was in my heart.  I said, "yes," and then I asked him the same.  He said, "No."  I asked him why he said that, and he had a logical answer for a four-year-old: "Because if God's in your heart, he can't be in mine because he can't be in two places at the same time."

I then tried to explain how God is everywhere and with us all, but his four-year-old brain could not understand my explanation.  In his mind, no one can be in two places at the same time, and I totally get where he's coming from.  He kept telling me that I was wrong, and that he was right.  He told me over and over again that there are lots of gods.  I even got my mom on the phone to tell him that God is huge and is everywhere with us.  I don't know that we ever completely resolved the issue at hand...

I told Brady about our conversation to prepare him in case Gavin came to him about it.  We do not agree on religion these days, but thankfully he has agreed to answer that there's one God who's great enough to be with all of us.  His initial response was, "Well that depends on your belief system."  Yeah, that's not exactly what I'd say to our four-year-old!

On the positive side, I love that Gavin is talking about God with us.  I want him to grow up knowing God's love and feeling comfortable talking about Him with us.

The not so fun part of being a mom

Gavin has been potty trained for over a year.  Recently he has begun wiping himself and has done a pretty great job considering he's 4.  Today was the grossest experience of my life.  Let me just say, this did not involve any sort of accident but I did have to change his entire outfit, wash his clothes, scrub his hands, and clean the toilet.   Then I had to scrub the experience off of me.  I'm still haunted!

It's a good thing he's adorable!

Oh Gavin 2/12/11

Gavin streaks by.

Me: Gavin!  Put on some pants right now!

Gavin: All right, if you insist!

Where does he get this big vocabulary?!?!

"Mommy, you're the best!" and some other things...

Gavin might be the sweetest little boy in the whole world.  My mom has been telling me for months how he talks about me with her and says things like, "My mommy's the best," or "I have the best mommy."  Well in the last week, he's started telling me these things and it's so sweet.  He hasn't even figured out the manipulation technique of saying that before asking for something.  He just says it to say it and to make his mommy feel good.  And let me tell ya, he makes his mommy feel AMAZING when he says that.  It's so crazy how your kids can just look at you and make your heart skip a beat as you are reminded how much you love them.  I sure cherish these sweet moments.

On a side note, I was awakened during the night by the adorable sound of Gavin giggling in his sleep.   It makes me smile just remembering it.  He's so precious!  Brady's out of town which of course means there's a party in Mommy's bed!  I may even try both kids in there tonight--just kidding!  Kailee is the worst child to share a bed with and I want to get some sleep! :)

Now for an update: Today was another big day for Kailee.  She took a nap again today without the paci!  What does that mean?  Mommy has to give it a try herself tomorrow.  I'll report back, hopefully sharing success!

So proud of Kailee!!!!

The paci...

Gavin gave up the paci on his own by the time he was 15 months old.  I think my last picture of him with a paci in his mouth was at the age of 14 months.  I realize this is not the norm but boy were we lucky!

Kailee LOVES her paci.  Loves loves LOVES it.  Her childcare center has been wonderful about not allowing her to have it except at the very end of the day for months.  During Snowmageddon last week, I took it a step further and made it where she only got it in her crib.  Her school was 100% on board with us this week, and her teachers even said they thought she could go without it at nap.  I said, "Give it a try if you want. I have tried and failed, but I know kids test Mommy and Daddy more than anyone else."  Today they gave it a try and she did it!  She fell asleep and took a nap sans paci!!!!  THIS IS HUGE!  If she handles it well again tomorrow, I'm going to re-attempt it myself on Saturday at home.  I'm so unbelievably proud of our little lady!

Oh and did I mention she also got her 15 and 18 month shots before naptime?  What a big girl to deal with all of that and then go without the paci for nap!  So proud!

Fun Times in Casa Barber

It is an interesting time in Casa Barber as Gavin and Kailee are having to learn to live with each other.  While yes, there are many times that they adorably play together--especially chasing each other around--but a lot of the time, it's bickering, and Kailee can't even really talk back!  Here are some common scenes:

Kailee accidentally drops a toy, Gavin grabs it and runs off with it saying, Kailee screams, Gavin says, "She was done with it."

Kailee sets down her milk sippy, Gavin drinks it all and tells me, "Kailee said I could have it."

Gavin decides Kailee can't play with something and disciplines her by either spanking her or grabbing her arm and pulling her down to the ground.

Gavin or Kailee is in a chair.  The other climbs up and they proceed to both fight for space, Gavin yelling "Kaaaaaaileeeeee!" and Kailee just shrieks until Mommy and/or Daddy break it up.

Kailee gets mad about something (it may not even have anything to do with Gavin) and then proceeds to walk up and smack Gavin on the back of the head.

Neither wants a toy unless the other has it first.  Gavin likes to trade with Kailee but does not understand why she won't trade a colorful and cool looking action figure for a small stuffed animal.

Gavin also does not understand why we ALWAYS let Kailee have pink puppy when she cries for it.  He's never had a security blanket/toy so he doesn't remotely understand why we say that Kailee gets puppy whenever she wants it no matter what.

Right now, they are great by themselves.  I love how all day today, Kailee will run it, give me a hug, say "bye bye," blow a kiss and run off.  And Gavin is VERY cuddly now!  He wants to get in bed with Mommy to watch the Munsters before bed whenever he can.

I love my crazy kids!

L-J's Review of Water for Elephants

I decided to read this book after getting it for only $5 on my Nook.  I did not know anything about it other than the fact that the movie with Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson will come out soon.

I started the book and was caught up in the story immediately.  What a interesting idea it was for the author to write about circus life during the Great Depression.  The book goes back and forth between Jacob as an old man and his memories of his life.  It was entertaining and intriguing from the beginning.  More specifically, it was unique, moving, funny, scary, sad and unpredictable.  On a negative note, I found the animal cruelty hard to handle though completely believable. At one point I had to take a break to stomach an incident before continuing.  Other than that, I found the book exceptionally enjoyable.  The ending had twists that I never saw coming, something I find to be a rare treasure.  I laughed, I cried, and I am glad I read this awesome book.

Hopefully the movie will uphold the integrity of the novel.

Crazy ABC's by the Barenaked Ladies

We heard this in the car today on the way home today.  I cracked up the whole way especially the line about Qat being great for scrabble.  Listen to it here!


Crazy ABC's Lyrics

Hey Steve!
Hey Ed, that sounds nice, what is it?
Thank you, it’s an alphabet song I’m working on
Oh great, a whole new alphabet,
I just learned the old one.
A is for aisle 
B is for bdelliums
C is for czar 
And if you see him, would you mind telling him-

Okay, hang on a second, yeah aisle?
Yeah, aisle like a, like a theatre.
Alright, okay, and bdelliums?
Bdelliums, it’s a gum like tree resin, it starts with a silent B
And then czar?
Yeah, it’s uh- like a Russian czar.
You know, everyone knows apple ball and cat,
I wanted to get into some you know,
some stranger words.
Right, I see what you’re doing.
D is for djinn
E for Euphrates
F is for fohn, but not like when I call the ladies

I thought phone started with a “p”...like a “ph”
No its f-o-h-n, it’s a kind of wind
Yeah, I know what you mean by wind
G for Gnarly, 
I for irk
H is for hour
J for jalapeños
Good in either corn or flour (tortillas…)
Nice rhyme
K is for knick-knack
L is for llama
[Crazy ABC's Lyrics on http://www.elyricsworld.com ]

Pramma, llama, ding - what’s so strange about llama?
Llama, its starts with two L’s
What’s the second one for?
No idea.
I know, loser.
N for neumonic
M is for mdomo
O is for ouija board
P for pneumonia pterodactyl and psychosis
Q is for qat

Okay, Q - qat? What?
Yeah it’s uh...q-a-t,
It’s an evergreen shrub
It’s a perfect scrabble word because it’s a q with no u,
There’s not many of those
You have too much time on your hands.
R is for R-gyle
No, it isn’t

Okay, you’re right; I couldn’t find a good “r” word
S is for Saar, a lovely German river
T for tsunami, a wave that makes me quiver
U is for urn, but not like earning money
V for vraisemblance from French,
And therefore kind of funny
W for wren, wrinkly, and who.
X is for Xian, an ancient Chinese city, true!

Ancient Chinese city, huh?
My guitar player, some hotshot.
Y is for yperite, a very nasty gas.
And zed’s the final letter
And by final, I mean last.

Okay, when you say zed,
For the benefit of our American friends
You really mean Z, right?
No I mean Zed, like, like Zed Zed Top.
Zed Zed Top?
Yeah, you know the guys with the big long beards
Well, except the guy whose name is Beard,
he has a mustache
I always thought that was interesting
You done with the alphabet?
No extra letters I haven’t heard of?
I think so.
Well this was a great help, I think, you know,
the contribution you made to world literacy
Well, I’m just saying, kids
I’m just saying
Think outside the box a little bit
Box with an “r”
Yeah, well, no, box with a b-a-l-k-s, like a pitcher.
Ahh, as opposed to b-a-c-h-s,
Right, think outside the “balks” 

Oh Gavin 2/6/11

Me to Brady: I have heartburn from the pizza.  I guess that's when you know you're getting old.

Gavin: Are you about to die?

Me: No!  What?

Gavin: When you get old, you die.

I am going to miss this literal phase.  It's so entertaining!

Loving Two

I came across this poem when I was pregnant with Kailee.  I cried many times in the last couple of months of pregnancy and the first month after having Kailee because I felt guilty for Gavin.  Even now rereading the poem, I teared up thinking back to the special time when it was just Brady, Gavin and me.  It's true that the memories of before Kailee have faded significantly and that we have become an even more special family unit with her.  Anytime a friend goes from 1 to 2 children, I plan to share this poem with her.  I'm posting it here now so that I can always find it down the road.

Loving Two

I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then she is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you’ve never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way, “Please love only me”. And I hear myself telling you in mine, “I can’t”, knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. I’m afraid to let you see me enjoying her, as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.

But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two. There are new times – only now, we are three. I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how she adores you – as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I haven’t taken something from you, I’ve given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.

I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement. Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you – only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you’ll never share my love. There’s enough of that for both of you – you each have your own supply.

I love you – both. And I thank you both for blessing my life. Author Unknown

Being A Mother...

Someone shared this with me and I couldn't resist sharing it here:

BEING A MOTHER....
After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'

* * *
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

* * *
That night I called to invite her to go out for
dinner and a movie.

* * *
'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?
* * *
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
* * *
'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some
time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'  She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much..'
* * *
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick 
her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th.
* * *
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.
* * *
We went to a restaurant that, although not
elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.
* * *
During the dinner, we had an agreeable 
conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
* * *
As we arrived at her house later, she said,
'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.
* * *
'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I  answered.
* * *
A few days later, my mother died of a massive
heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.
* * *
Some time later, I received an envelope with a
copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife.  You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'
* * *
At that moment, I understood the importance of
saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'
* * *
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby..... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is  history.
* * *
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by
instinct ... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping. 
* * *
Somebody said being a mother is boring .....
somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'..... somebody thinks a child comes with
directions and a guarantee.
* * *
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
* * *
Somebody said you can't love the second child as
much as you love the first ..... somebody doesn't have two children.
* * *
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery....somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of  kindergarten ...or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'
* * *
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
* * *
Somebody said a mother's job is done when
her last child leaves home....somebody never had grandchildren.

* * *

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't have to tell her....somebody isn't a mother.

L-J's Review of Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella

Snow days are great for catching up on reading (when you aren't chasing around small children).  Yesterday, I decided to start another Sophie Kinsella novel,  Remember Me.

As I updated my reading status on Goodreads.com, I glanced down at my friends' reviews and saw that 2 of my friends really LOVED this book so my expectations were high--which of course, is often dangerous for optimists like me who often get disappointed by high expectations.  This book delivered!  I was hooked from the start and stayed that way throughout.

The premise of this book is that Lexi has awoken after a car accident and her last memory is from 3 years before.  She does not remember getting as thin/beautiful as she is, getting married, getting the job she has.  This book takes us through her rediscovery of her life figuring out how she became the person she is.  I was wondering how the author could make it plausible as Lexi's personality changed 100% but she pulled it off.  Obviously this was a well-planned out novel.

This book is a great quick read.  I started it and finished it within 12 hours (and that wasn't 12 hours of sitting and reading as I was busy chasing after the children).  I could not put it down.  I had to know what happened.  I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, fast, lighthearted read.

Oh Gavin 2/4/11

Gavin: There's enough snow to eat!

Mommy: We don't eat snow!

Gavin: Yes we do!  When we eat it it turns to pee so it's okay!

Oh Gavin

I'm going to start documenting the funny conversations I have with the kids.

Here's one from yesterday:

(I had just found out we were going to have snow day number 3)
Me: You and Kailee are gonna drive me crazy tomorrow aren't ya?
Gavin: Kailee and I can't drive, Mommy!

Here's one from tonight:

(Gavin is teasing Kailee with a huge pink fish stuffed animal)

Gavin: You can't always get what you want!  Remember in Yo Gabba Gabba New Friends.

Me: I'm glad you are trying to teach Kailee a lesson but I have a feeling if the shoe were on the other foot, you would not like Kailee teaching you that lesson.

Gavin: Yeah, well Kailee doesn't know how to put on her shoes.

This/Last week's TV shows recap

As I’ve been stuck inside basically all week, I’ve had time to catch up on some shows....  Here are my thoughts on what I’ve been watching this week:

Pretty Little Liars

Talk about a great show!  I am not sure where they are going with it all though they definitely somewhat follow the books.  I was excited to see that they are incorporating the Spencer “blackouts,” though they haven’t called them that yet.  I’m curious to see where they go with that plot line in the next episode.  I’m also interested to see how far they can take this series as they are already jumping into stuff further along in the series.  Guess we’ll see.... For now, I’m hooked!

Parenthood

LOVE this show!  I am curious to see what's going to happen with the whole Hallie/Alex thing with her parents.  I get why her parents are concerned about her dating an older guy who lives on his own and who is a recovering alcoholic, but I agree with Camille that they may be fighting the wrong battle.

The Biggest Loser

I am soooo glad the other twin guy went home.  Dan and Don were such a waste of contestants on the show.  Both are so condescending and act like they are above the trainers' advice.  They drove me absolutely nuts.  It didn't matter as much to me who of the unknowns went home; I just didn't want another one of the ranch teams to leave.  We've spent more time with them, so I like those teams more.

Vampire Diaries (last week’s)

I was hopeful that they would find a cure for the wolf-bite but apparently there is not one.  I am not sure how I feel about the Caroline-Tyler relationship but I don’t really like Matt.  Having read some of these books, I can say they have mostly strayed away from the books with some elements staying the same--Tyler as a werewolf, Klaus (though he hasn’t appeared on the series, just mentioned), Catherine returning.  

Cougar Town (Last week’s)

Can I just say, I LOVE this show.  It’s like Monica is back with a whole new group of friends.  I love the chemistry between the characters!  On this episode, it cracked me up watching them play Sardines.  My cousins and I used to play that game all the time growing up.  While watching, it made me think, “Oh my God, I’m Jules.”  I was (and still am though hopefully not as bad as an adult) a total control freak and would only play what I wanted to play.  If I didn’t want to do it, I’d throw a fit and eventually everyone would pretty much give in.  

Harry’s Law (The Pilot)

I had 3 episodes recorded and finally watched the Pilot.  I LOVED this show.  I love the quirky characters.  My favorite part by far was when the neighborhood “security” guy came by to ask for $200 to protect the law office.  Kathy Bates’ response was so well-written and bad-a**.  I definitely will keep watching this show.

Toddler’s and Tiaras

I was shocked on this episode to hear that one of the moms gives her daughter coffee to get her going.  She’s like 6!  The last couple of episodes, the pixistix have been insane and I did see one episode last season where they gave the little girl red bull.  These moms get a bit nutty!  I love how you often see girls at each pageant that have been featured on the show already.  This terror MacKenzie (sp) was in the same group as 2 of this episode’s girls.  She’s quite SCARY when she doesn’t have her “nee-nee” (paci).  I was satisfied with who won overall.  She really was the best of the ones shown.

Gilmore Girls

Yes, I realize this show is not current but I love it!  I just watched the episode where Rory returns to Stars Hollow after spending the summer in Europe with Emily and Luke has returned to Lorelai after helping his sister and TJ deal with injuries.  Lane also is realizing she has feelings for Zack.  I love the fairly clean drama that happens on this happy show.  I miss this show!

Now that I’ve wasted days watching TV, I think I’ll go read a book!