Quick Update, ok, Not So Quick

[katemn]

Life is Good but Challenging.  Here's why:

1.  Andrew is 3.  He hides under his covers from the  monsters every night.  He plays that game, I want it, no I don't, I want it, no I don't.  He's perfected the art of whining--you gals should hear him, hoo boy.  He plays with his baby sister soooo nicely!!  He gives hugs and kisses and loves to play in his swimming pool and help me bake, we are starting to have to give the bread away or put it in the freezer. 

2. Chloe is learning to crawl.  She gets frustrated but keeps trying.  She's so little that she's barely broken 14 pounds but she's sitting up and vocalising and grabbing and all the rest of it.  She's figured out how to use a sippy cup--no more bottles, yay!  She still doesn't have any teeth.  She loves to take toys out of her basket and she will willingly take her vitamins which are supposed to help her grow.

3.  Morgan is so wonderful to be around most of the time because he's smart enough to have a good conversation and asks intelligent questions.  Unfortunately, he seems to be getting this idea that he doesn't have to follow the rules of the house unless they suit him.  Too long of a summer with not enough to do, and growing desire for independence coupled with not enough maturity.  Typical teenager problems!

4. My husband has been/will be gone for a total of five weeks this summer, doing graduate classes.  He is about to come home from week #3.  When he's gone, I'm in charge.  When he's here, he's in charge.  It's really really hard to let go Friday at 8 pm.  I love him dearly, but we have such different parenting styles.  Luckily, I love him dearly, see next item.

5.  Last week when my husband was home all week, he installed our new dishwasher and all the handles on our cabinet doors (which he picked out without my help) and they look great.  We have been working on our kitchen since spring break.  The only thing left to do is the trim around the floor (which he also finished up about two weeks ago) and the tile on the wall, but that'll be my job. 

6.  I learned how to cook some traditional Mexican recipes from Chloe's babysitter, whose sister came over to help out when they did the lesson and demonstration for my parents.    I got a couple of things wrong but for the most part, I have learned to make some of my favorite things.  The whole house smells like red chili sauce and onions, and I can't wait to have more of the frijoles.  I'll never eat refried beans out of a can again.

7.  I have been working the socks I started then had to rip out.  What helped me was watching the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy during naptime and after the kids go to bed.  I'm a little short on sleep but boy does that sock look nice, lace with no mistakes!  And I'll have fond memories of Rivendell, Mordor. Gollum, and of course, Gandalf, the Hobbits, Legolas and Aragorn every time I look at them, which won't be much because I intend to send them to a friend. 

8.  The weather has been just about near perfect these last few weeks.  We went to the Sand Dunes when my parents were here visiting and Chloe discovered mud for the first time.  In the mornings I can't think of a better time to go outside and help Andrew play with his pool.  The only problem is we currently have our annual infestation of flying ants, which really don't fly, they just crawl around, congregate in big piles, and, well, I need to keep this G-rated. 

9.  Summer fruit and my husband at the grill.  I don't think I need to say anything more on that. 

10.  We recently became a Nielsen family.  I was always wondering about how that worked, and they sent us a diary and thirty bucks.  That's a box and a half of diapers!!  But we have to fill out a diary of what we watched, which is exactly Wheel of Fortune on Tuesday and some stuff tonight, because I've run out of ideas, and, frankly, patience, and have resorted to the electronic babysitter.  Hey, Andrew's learning his letters, right?  Seriously, though, he knows what an A looks like, I discovered today.   That's one of those little things that helps convince me that no matter what my other failings as a mother might be, I must be doing something right for him to recognize an A, and that is about the most wonderful feeling in the world.

 

[tressa260]

Jul. 11, 2008 at 8:47 PM

A+ to you for his recognizing the letter A!  I ashamedly admit that the television and her computer sometimes babysits Alyson.  :-S 

I'm glad you are having such a great summer! I'd love to see that kitchen! Now I'm off to check out your pics. Maybe there's one in there.

[Bell49]

Jul. 11, 2008 at 10:25 PM

Oh my where do I start ... well first off you are not only a wonderful mother but teacher, mentor & friend.  Andrew & Chloe sound like they are doing just fine ... enjoying life and the world around them.  Kudos to you.  Morgan ... yes he sounds like a typical teen.  Hang in there, stand your ground, give him hugs & smiles, reassuring words and of course love.  Parenting styles ... yup I understand that one :-)  Congrats on your Mexican food cooking.  My daughter too will never eat re-fried beans from a can.  I haven't had the pleasure of sampling them ... yet.  The sock, the sock oh the sock.  I can hardly wait to see a pic of this pair of socks.  The sweater vest I'm knitting for my granD is coming along nicely.  Your husbands classes ... well wk 3 is over ... getting close.  The return on the sacrifice you are both making for this will make it all worth it.  Congrats to him.  I'm sure it's hard on him too ... you love birds :-)  I'm not sure about ... husband, fruit & the grill is a good thing(?) Hopefully it's tasty, yummy creations he's coming up with.  Nielsens' ratings ... I always wondered too.  I'm not a picky eater but I am a really, really picky TV watcher ... I'm sure they wouldn't want me.  However I too can recognize the letter "A" ah-la Wheel of Fortune ... lol      And so my friend I can see you're having a full summer ... love, family, children's adventures and all in a beautiful place to live.  Enjoy. Don't stress out and remember some day you will be where I am ... retired, just me & my man and time to sleep, yet lots & lots to do.  Hang in there ... you're doing beautifully.  Thanks for sharing.  ((hugs)) Belle

[MommaK2007]

Jul. 14, 2008 at 4:48 PM How do I miss these posts?! I devour them as soon as I discover them, but this one is a whole three days old and I'm just now savoring it!!! I always wondered about the Neilson thing too.  Interesting.  And speaking of interesting.....what an interesting, well-rounded, amazing, and intriguing woman you are, Kate!!!  Mexican cuisine, hand-knitted socks, triathalons.....!!!!!!  I love hearing about your endeavours and about your family, who sound almost as amazing as you!