He is so me

A cat darts across the street on our way home.

"There's a cat, mom."

"Yep."

"We don't like cats."

"We don't like cats?"

"Yeah. We are dog people. We are not cat people."

Amen, brother.

The one where my heart nearly busted with pride

We always conclude our day with a bedtime story for Dexter. He loves books. He always has and this mama hopes that he always will.

Tonight he started "reading" this book to me. He recited it from memory start to finish, stumbling over a few words that he couldn't quite remember. I prompted him and once he remembered what part we were at he quickly shushed me so that his voice was the only one we could hear.

I tell ya, this parenting stuff is tough. But every now and again it's pretty awesome.

Heard around these parts lately

I trapped, Mom. I trapped.

Mama of two

I am the mom of two. Two kids! Two! Two sounds legit. It sounds serious. It sounds like there's a chance that I might know what I am doing. Some days I do, many days it's an educated guess.

Dexter is the guinea pig. He came first. He is the OG. He reminds me that every challenge, every age is just a season, feeling like we are forever stuck and also in a fleeting moment all at the same time. We rode the wave from baby to boy together. We're still out there waiting for the next wave to come in.

Everly is the baby. She gave me my mama sway back. We are at the point where it feels as if she's been part of our family forever. Her new found smile is smoothing over all the bumps and cracks that my postpartum self felt.

The best is yet to come. Happy Mother's Day, mamas!

Easter came a little early

Josh's office hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids last weekend. We missed last year's event so when I found out we would be in town this year, I was pretty pumped for it. Big thumbs up to companies that plan family outings! I was even more delighted when the weather cooperated and it was 76 degrees and sunny. Ah, I love this season. Even if you make all the candy in the eggs a melted mess, you're good stuff in my book, Spring.

Why does the Easter Bunny always look so creepy? Also, take a looksie at that Easter basket. Somebody's mom doesn't have a basket ready for this kid so instead we've upcycled a gift bag.

Pretty pumped for this egg hunt thing, can't you tell? Evy looked like this the entire time Dexter ran around. Too cool for school.

First of many "Sit down by your sister so I can take your picture" photos.

He's an egg finding machine. It was like watching Pacman eat the pellets.

Have a great Easter, everyone!

A fate worse than death

He waved his sword at me and told me he was going to take me away and put me in jail and then a shark was going to get me, and a tiger was going to bite me and finally...a car was going to get me.

Hopefully to take me to the hospital, right?

Where your heart melts

He looked at me and with all the innocence in the world behind those eyes asked, "Mom, you're my best friend?"

Aye aye, buddy. 

**P.S. I have it on good authority that he also said that Pop Tarts were his best friend. I am thrilled to be included in such good company.

Dexter turns 3

This little boy turned three. He has amassed quite the sword collection in these three short years. The two most important Ds in his life are dinosaurs and dragons. Well, Dad too so that makes three Ds. If ever I need proof that I am doing okay, I just need to look at those two boys. Seeing them pal around together makes me feel very full.

Dexter keeps telling us that he's not a baby, he's big. He's becoming a little more independent each day picking out his clothes and trying to dress himself. The result is that he wears the same dinosaur and Ninja Turtles shirts every week and getting out the door or ready for bed takes just a bit longer. It's an exercise in patience for me and Josh.

This year he is having one of those birthdays that lasts forever. On his real birthday, he took robot treats to daycare. That's what happens when mommy is on maternity leave. She steps her game up. For his birthday dinner, we dined on chicken nuggets at Chick Fil A and he ran around the playplace. P.S. that Chick Fil A on Mills Civic does the business! A steady stream of families the whole time we were there and the drive thru was never empty. Crazy town.

His eyes were shut for the first photo so I said "Open your eyes" and his eyes got quite wide and turned out like this.

And then this weekend, we had the big family shindig featuring a build your own sandwich bar and a shark cake. Word to the wise: if you're going to build your own sandwich, hit up Graziano's for all your meaty needs. There was a rapid fire present opening where lots of tiny cousin hands helped expedite the unwrapping process. Our house is now the official showroom for Ninja Turtles and Imaginext toys.

He began to tear into one gift before everyone arrived. That's what happens when no one is parenting you.

One "cheese sammich".

I keep coming back to this quote--"the days are long but the years are short." It feels very true. Some days with Dexter (and now Evy) make me want to throw up my hands and say this parenting stuff is for the birds! How many times do I need to repeat myself? Is it nap time yet? When will this phase be over? Long, long exhausting days.

But then, look at this KID! This action figure wielding, get his own glass of water, cheese sandwich requesting KID. Short, short years.

What are you doing New Years Eve?

It's December 31 and I am at home on my couch, snuggled up in PJs and a new robe that Josh got me for Christmas. I am nearly 34 weeks pregnant. I am not comfortable. Although it isn't the weight gain or the jabs from the baby that is making me uncomfortable. It's not even the cold that I am currently battling that's causing me discomfort. It's the two year old boy who keeps coming out of his bedroom, refusing to go to sleep. I hear the click of his door opening and then quietly shutting, the tiny pitter patter of feet on the wood floor. You know that scene in Jurassic Park where they all look at the glass of water and see it tremble? They realize what's coming and get all wide-eyed and terrified. That is exactly what bedtime in our house is like these days. T-Rex on the loose. It's just a real mess.

Josh is sick too. We ordered sushi, put on sweats and called our New Years Eve good. I chugged some Pepsi in hopes of staying up until midnight to ring in 2014. It felt like the right thing to do. We are standing on the precipice of another life changing year. A year where we will dig in our heels and start parenting another kid from scratch.

2013 was a solid year. I switched jobs, Josh traveled, Dexter grew up a little more. We are now readying ourselves for the next big thing in our lives. When I say we, I mostly mean me and Josh. Dexter refuses to acknowledge this baby. Ignore it all you want, kid. It's happening.

So long, 2013! And to you, 2014, please be kind. We have no idea what we're in for.

And now a word about tantrums

What is up with the tantrums, man? There's this part in Where the Wild Things Are:

"And when he came to the place where the wild things are, they roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws..."

That is pretty much how I feel when Dexter is in the middle of a tantrum. This kid who says to his dad "how bout hug?" before bed and says "ooh, sowwy, mama", if he accidentally hits me while pretend sword fighting, who is generally mild mannered and sweet, shy even, loses his (earmuffs here) shit. There's a lot of tears involved, a fair amount of yelling, oh and as an added bonus he's recently added jumping up and down to his repertoire. Fun stuff, I tell you. It is not a slow meltdown either. There's no time to brace yourself for impact, it's zero to sixty in no seconds flat. It is loud and proud and beyond comfort or caring.

Tantrums leave me exhausted. They leave me frazzled and frustrated. The quickest way to take the wind out of my sails as a parent is to throw a tantrum into the mix. He ate his meal without complaint, put away his toys, turned the TV off without a whine--nothing to see here, folks just a little A+ parenting. But then. But then a tantrum strikes and pfffft. Wind gone. Just another deflated mother struggling to wrangle her son and pull him back from the edge of insanity and despair while trying not to fall in herself.

Perhaps I'm being a tad bit dramatic but there's a certain feeling of helplessness when this is going down. It's happening and it's happening fast and the attempts to ignore, acknowledge and distract aren't working. I realize my job is to teach him how to handle his feelings and I'm to mold him into a well-adjusted little person. Sometimes though all I can think is WTF, I did not sign up for this (I did). It's the kind of situation that requires grace under pressure and that my friends, is something I have not yet mastered. Sweats under pressure is more my style.

Have you heard that three year olds are worse? I've heard that. Lord, help us all. This too shall pass. And I am counting down the days.

Father's Day Weekend

Hello, friends! Thought I should pop in with a little Fathers Day weekend action before it gets too far away from me. Joshie and I had the chance to go on a date on Friday night. A real live date! We haven't been on one of those since February, people. Very exciting stuff.  So off we went to happy hour at The Continental where we enjoyed a tasty fried cheese plate. The gruyere puffs were my favorite. After that it was off to Zombie Burger. I swear I could eat my weight (and yours) in fries. Skinny fries preferably.

I tried out a zumba class with a friend at Gray's Lake and then we hit up the Farmers Market on Saturday. Dexter tried to wear this white hat with pink flowers that he found at Lolo's house to the market. And Josh in his infinite father wisdom, told Dexter that "we don't wear hats to farmers markets". Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies. And shocker, he actually listened and left it behind in the car! Mini donuts all around! Victory!

Then the skies turned a little gray so we headed home. We binge-watched the third season of Game of Thrones since it was HBO free weekend. The Red Wedding was particularly stabby. And when we had our fill of wildlings and Unsullied, we went to Target because we hadn't been in at least five days. We got the itch. We picked up a few necessities and a boatload of luxuries including this hat which is much better than that doll hat he tried to rock earlier if you ask me.

And then it was Father's Day and we decided that brunch was a lovely idea. As I write this, I'm thinking good heavens, all you do is eat! Days are distinguished by meals. Indeed, this is how we seem to operate around these parts. So brunch! Brunch is a great idea for toddlers because you don't have to order and wait for your food. But hold up, what about the wait to get seated, you say. Sunday brunch on Father's Day, there surely has to be a wait, you say. Ah, yes, there is a wait, friends. And my advice is as follows: if the wait is less than 30 minutes, if the sun is smiling upon you, if there is a sidewalk to explore, if your child has had a small Baggie of Cheerios on the way there, then brunch shall be yours. The outdoor waiting area is your new promised land.

Once our bellies were full, we stopped by Lowe's because that's what you do when you're getting ready to sell your house.

We spent the afternoon at Lolo's house to cap off the day. He treats Dexter like a little prince, which I suppose is what Lolos are for.

Dear, Dexter, you have some good men in your life. We are so very lucky to have this Grandpa (who was sunning himself in Florida on Father's Day, lucky duck!), this Lolo and this Dada.

Here I come to save the Day

There comes a time in every young man's life where he must face his destiny. Not only face it but embrace it. A time where he must do what others cannot. A time where he must do something great--nay, something super. That time is now.

Checking in with random stuff

Hello, there, friends! What have you been up to? We've been crossing off a few more house projects on our list. We still have plenty more to do before we're ready to list but we are slowly but surely making progress.  It feels like we are going to get our house just so and then we (hopefully) are going to pick up and move without getting to enjoy it. I think I'm ready to move though. I say that now when it seems likes a distant possibility and not a near reality. Talk to me when we are closer to putting that for sale sign up.

And now to check in with some randomness...

I've been wondering if I should hang up my blogging hat recently. It's hard to keep up with it, the writing and the photos, and I feel like a lot of time I'm just rambling around here. I keep going because between all the ramblings, it's a nice way to share our life with friends and family. Sometimes I wonder if Dexter will ever read this. I know if my mom would've kept something like this I would've eaten it up but maybe that's just a girl thing.

I saw this tweet recently from Chevy Chase and all I could think was "Amen".

Going on Facebook is now the equivalent of opening the fridge and staring at it, even though you aren't hungry

Dunkin Donuts Coconut Coffee is amazing. And that's coming from a non-coffee drinker so it must be true. Sister-in-laws who introduce you to said coffee? Also amazing.

I just got a pair of white denim jeans from Old Navy. When I bought them I felt like I was living on the edge. A two year old and white pants? Pssh, girl, you crazy.

Dexter just started his new daycare this week. The first day was okay but then the last couple of mornings have been pretty rough. Or so I've heard. I haven't been doing the drop off. When I pick him up in the afternoon he's been in good spirits though so I feel like that's a good sign. We chose a center that also has preschool since I figured we should do this transition thing as little as possible. We also chose a center where we know other parents.  My big thing that I don't love about center life is the multiple people you have to talk to when inquiring about your kid since there's morning staff and afternoon staff. I have a feeling that this transition is going to be harder for me than Dexter.

We've been having company-wide meetings at work this week. During one of the sessions I got to learn about twitter which was kind of fun. I also got to participate in new hire introductions which was both awkward and silly. And there may or may not be a Harlem Shake video of me out there somewhere.. ;)

And now to follow up on my sleeping post. Dexter, you are the silliest.

Um, who is this kid?

I took this photo at the zoo a couple of weekends ago and good heavens, who is this kid? I mean, seriously he looks like a legit kid. Toddler? What toddler?

This was our first trip to our zoo here and we had excellent tour guides in our cousins. The animals were fine but I'm fairly confident that Dexter's favorite part was the playground. That playground brought out the wild man in him. At one point I found him trying to scale a ladder. Then, the kid who is ever so cautious around the baby slides at the park tried to launch himself down two tube slides. It was madness, I tell you.

Dexter is equal parts cute and challenging. He makes us laugh with his incessant chatter and funny faces. He pretends to be a pirate and a superhero. He corrects us. "Look, Dex, a beetle." "No, mama, BUG." He sings like the guy who only knows half of the lyrics of a song, muttering the middle parts under his breath but then with all his might belting out the last word. He loves cartoons even the really bad ones. I'm talking the cartoon with the two black and white terriers. Chauncey and Frenchy? I totally made those names up. Never mind, it's not good. Mickey is the bees knees though. He can do no wrong in that little boy's eyes. Should we ever make it to Disneyworld, and this mama would love to, I think his mind would explode if he crossed paths with that mouse.

We are still working on the whole tantrum thing. Sometimes we'll make it out of the store without a single whine. Other times we aren't so lucky. I imagine that I'm about as red in the face as he is during those times. He gets terribly frustrated when he can't do something by himself like put on socks or get a puzzle piece to fit. It's a good reminder for both of us that patience is something we learn, not something we are born with. He is beginning to test us and let me tell you, that is super fun. Repeating yourself over and over is not annoying at all. I'm not sure what's worse though, the kid who is just not listening or the kid who shakes his head no when you ask him to do something. Ummm, actually I'm gonna go with the kid who shakes his head no. Definitely worse.

Parenting a two year old is tough stuff. It's like the adorable puppy with its tiny paws and big eyes that eventually nips at you and poops all over your carpet. Equal parts cute and challenging.

All by ourselves with Dexter

When Josh was away last weekend, Dexter and I did this...

played with streamers,

went to the park,

 and fingerpainted.

When I was away at dinner with friends, Josh and Dexter did this...

71 freaking degrees

It is 71 freaking degrees out right now and the sun is shining and Dexter is taking a nap. Josh is in Houston for a wedding. Me? I am sitting on our patio and type typing away to tell you that it is 71 freaking degrees out and the sun is shining. Hooray, Mother Nature, you did it! I knew you could! The sun is making me kind of itchy...and I love it.

After romping around outdoors, we went to Target because mommy needs a playground fix too, you know. I bought a pair of sunglasses. Josh and I had a sunglasses debate a few weeks ago since he noted that he spent big bucks on his pair that he's had for years whereas I go through a pair and a half every season since I buy a cheap pair and treat them as such. That is a true story. So I chose to buy my sunglasses this weekend with only Dexter's non-judging eyes watching me. While the cat's away...

Also I would like to note that Dexter is an excellent partner for trying on sunglasses. "How bout this one?" "Bout this one?" The kid is eager to help. We settled on these fellas.

As a sidenote, taking this photo of myself was awkward. Because while I really enjoyed the selfie in college and still kind of do today when I'm four bevvies in, this is just weird.  I felt that I owed you a photo of said sunglasses since I am making such a fuss over them though. Oh, the look that I'm sporting is the dirty hair, same t-shirt I wore yesterday and will most likely wear tomorrow look.  

I said, "Glasses on. Windows down." Dexter thought that was kind of cool. He especially enjoys the sunroof. "This one, mama. This one, mama," he says while pointing up. A window that looks up into the sky, what will they think of next?

I took a roundabout way home so we could ride a little longer with those windows down and with the sun in our eyes. It's these small things that are good for the soul, right?

P.S. Josh just texted me that I should do some yard work. That text was preceded by a text telling me that he is laying out by the pool. Psssh, directions from beyond. Child, please, try the veal.

A note about daycare

Is there no greater joy than receiving a package on your doorstep? I know that I am the one that purchased it and I am the one checking the tracking info and really it shouldn't be any sort of surprise when it arrives...but it is! Isn't it? Oh, the thrill!

Yesterday I came home to a package that I had ordered for our sitter as a thank you. Spoiler alert: it's a brag book since she's moving (also they were having a sale!). Ugh, I'm still bummed about this. Finding good daycare is the best and looking for good daycare is the worst. It was funny how she came into our lives. She came by way of Craigslist. I know, I know. What can't you find on Craigslist, right? I was ready to break up with the center that Dexter was going to at the time and feeling terrible about it. I found her ad and we interviewed her at her home and called references and it became very clear that this was a better fit than our current situation. I ended up having a very awkward it's not you, it's me talk with the owner of our other daycare and then a few weeks later, Dexter started with our new sitter and we haven't looked back. Okay, that's not totally true. I did panic that first day that I dropped him off because one, I am prone to second guessing everything I do and two, hello, we found her on Craigslist! Who does that? We do, friends, we do.

And I'm sure glad we did.

Note: the pixelated part is where I put our thank you message but I thought I should blur it out since I'm not mentioning names in this post? Writing on the interweb is weird and I don't know all the etiquette, back off.

Easter 2013

I realize that Easter is old news now. Very old news. Candy, eggs, church, yada, yada, yada. I haven't been very motivated to blog lately. Could it be that I am running out of things to say?

We spent our holiday in Davenport. It was the first year that I really felt like Dexter could partake in the candy, eggs, yada, yada, yada. He liked all of it and it really is so nice that he has his cousin Owen who is so close in age. These boys are fun stuff. Terribly cute too.  Are they going to be trouble when they get older? You betcha.

And now photos of the candy, eggs, yada, yada, yada.

Over the weekend: St. Patty's Day 2013

As you may recall, I have married into a family that has a standing tradition of marching in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in the Quad Cities. Joshie had a bachelor party in St. Louis so I went all single mom up in that parade and Dexter and I represented. And by represented I mean he cried at the beginning and I stressed the eff out. It was cold, he was just getting over his bout with the flu, and I am not used to flying solo when it comes to these kinds of things.

I tell you what, all you single mamas out there, I tip my hat to you. I had a helluva time trying to throw beads, steer a stroller/carry a kid and not run into the trailer or the parade goers.  I also decided that I may need to join a gym or something because I am crazy sore. So weak. 

It's worth it though because look how gosh darn cute he is in his outfit! Baby leg warmers is where it's at, kids. Write it down.

And if this was a style blog, I would tell you the pants are from Target and are part of a two piece Carter's pajama set and that they are a size 5t that are being held up by a hairtie because someone refused to wear suspenders. Then I would tell you the bowtie was thrifted and the hat is vintage c/o Grandma. And that's how you do St. Patty's Day.

That's what happens when you speak too soon

Last week Dexter had his two year old checkup and the doctor made the remark about how we have managed to stay out of their office this winter despite all the junk that's been running rampant this season. Shortly after that observation was made, I went and ran my mouth to my coworkers and sitter about this miracle of miracles.

Twelve hours later, Dexter woke up in his own puke. It's probably the saddest and grossest thing all at the same time. Poor kid.

Helplessness really is one of the top adjectives that comes to mind when your kid is sick. For me there is also a level of uncertainty about whether I'm doing the right thing. And I hate uncertainty. So I rely on those who have walked the path before me for reassurance and advice. We are one of the last in our circle of friends to the baby-having game and in times like these, I'm glad we weren't the trailblazers. I'm sure some of it is the blind leading the blind but I'd rather be the latter than the former. 

There was a lot of TV watching, cracker nibbling and water guzzling this weekend. Friday and Saturday were the saddest days. He barely said a word and cuddled like crazy which is terribly out of the ordinary for a kid that is go go go these days. Cuddling? Ain't nobody got time for that. (Sorry, I had to.) He even fell asleep on me on the couch. Whaaa?

A popsicle seemed to lift his spirits later that day and by Sunday we were starting to get a glimpse of the regular Dexter. It's been so strange with his alternate sick personality. The house is just so quiet. There wasn't the sound of steps bounding through the rooms or play-by-play announcement ("I hold it!", "I kicked it", "I throw it"). No fake crying. I actually kind of missed the fake crying. Don't tell him I said that though.  

Dexter's still not 100% but hopefully we'll knock this bug out this week.