My three-year-old son has taught himself how to burp at will.
He did this all by himself, with absolutely no help from his mom or dad.
He takes a drink, makes a funny face, swallows air, and lets one out. Then he laughs like crazy, shows his famous smile, and says, "I burpted!"
He is so very proud of himself.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Little Things
So much happening and so little time to sit down and write!
I guess I'll just type out a few quick things, there's too much swirling in my brain to pound out a regular post.
We're having some work done to our rental house next door. The rental doesn't have a driveway, and since "The Guys," as Little Man calls them, have trucks with trailers and equipment and things, they've been using our driveway. So mom's had to park on the street. This morning Little Man comes up to me and said, "Mommy, you didn't do a very good job parking your car." He says this as he shakes his head. Then he says, with hand motions to match, "Your tires should be straight, not turned like this." When did you turn into such a grownup, my sweet firstborn?
Little Man is having a fantastic time having "The Guys" around. He looks out the window, "The Guys are here!" or "The Guys left!" I hear, "I want to go in the backyard and see how The Guys are doing," at least 20 times a day. Little Man loves anything to do with construction, or repair, or building. He loves to see and figure out how things work, I could sit and watch him for hours try to figure things out. Who knows what he'll eventually do with that little brain of his.
Not to be left out, Baby Girl is also very entertaining these days. She now climbs into her highchair all by herself. She doesn't know how to get down, so once she climbs up there, she's stuck! She's singing more and more of "Baa Baa Black Sheep." She mainly produces the vowel sounds, but she has all of the song down pat. Baa baa ba see av oo a-e ool? Eh er, eh er, ee ba ool. On oo ei ater on oo ei am. On oo ei eel on oo e own a an. Ba ba ba see av oo a-e ool? Eh er, eh er, ee ba ool. The other day she said, "NO" for the first time. It was to her big brother, of course. When you ask her to blow a kiss, she'll smack her lips then put her hand up to her lips. When you ask her for a hug she does the same thing! Cute!
That's about it. It's a cool, rainy day. Perfect for open windows and nice breezed. I'm about to go enjoy.
I guess I'll just type out a few quick things, there's too much swirling in my brain to pound out a regular post.
We're having some work done to our rental house next door. The rental doesn't have a driveway, and since "The Guys," as Little Man calls them, have trucks with trailers and equipment and things, they've been using our driveway. So mom's had to park on the street. This morning Little Man comes up to me and said, "Mommy, you didn't do a very good job parking your car." He says this as he shakes his head. Then he says, with hand motions to match, "Your tires should be straight, not turned like this." When did you turn into such a grownup, my sweet firstborn?
Little Man is having a fantastic time having "The Guys" around. He looks out the window, "The Guys are here!" or "The Guys left!" I hear, "I want to go in the backyard and see how The Guys are doing," at least 20 times a day. Little Man loves anything to do with construction, or repair, or building. He loves to see and figure out how things work, I could sit and watch him for hours try to figure things out. Who knows what he'll eventually do with that little brain of his.
Not to be left out, Baby Girl is also very entertaining these days. She now climbs into her highchair all by herself. She doesn't know how to get down, so once she climbs up there, she's stuck! She's singing more and more of "Baa Baa Black Sheep." She mainly produces the vowel sounds, but she has all of the song down pat. Baa baa ba see av oo a-e ool? Eh er, eh er, ee ba ool. On oo ei ater on oo ei am. On oo ei eel on oo e own a an. Ba ba ba see av oo a-e ool? Eh er, eh er, ee ba ool. The other day she said, "NO" for the first time. It was to her big brother, of course. When you ask her to blow a kiss, she'll smack her lips then put her hand up to her lips. When you ask her for a hug she does the same thing! Cute!
That's about it. It's a cool, rainy day. Perfect for open windows and nice breezed. I'm about to go enjoy.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Small Sacrifices
I gave up diet coke for Lent.
That's big time, Big Time, for me.
I do love me some diet coke.
What I do for and give up for Lent isn't something that I advertise, but over the course of five or so weeks, a few people, mostly family, do figure it out. I get a few interesting responses. Some people completely understand the Lenten concept, and are encouraging. Then others look at me like I've grown a second head and are obviously wondering why one should bother. Last year, at the beginning of Lent, a relative (a very opinionated and much-loved one ;) ) went so far as to tell me it was "stupid" to give up something for Lent, that God didn't need you to "deprive yourself from something you love" in order to honor Him. I must admit, that statement rattled me a bit. He did have a point. "Why do we give up cherished activities, things, or food for Lent?" I thought. At the time I didn't really have an answer.
I should say that last year was the first year I have participated in Lent since I was a teenager. As a child, I went to a Catholic school, so every spring the kids would talk about their Lenten sacrifices. Back then I always cheated during Lent, and the whole experience was just a sort of burden I was required to participate in for school. No chocolate for a month and a half? Yeah, right! Thankfully, as an adult, the experience of Lent has been quite different. It's not any easier, although my impulse control has improved, as if often does with age! No, giving up my cherished loves (last year - Starbucks, that was hard!) is still difficult, but now it's meaningful. Powerful even. What I've learned about life, faith, God's love, and myself from making small sacrifices is staggering, I can even say life changing.
Yeah, I said it. My life has changed by simply giving up Starbucks and diet coke for a few weeks.
Wow.
Here's how I see it. So I'm having a day where I'm really jonesing for a diet coke, I mean hard -core gotta have it. Oh yeah, they're still stocked in the fridge, the fridge that this stay-at-home mom looks at all day. The Husband doesn't really like the idea of giving up diet coke until Easter, so I still buy them for him. Most of the time I'm fine, but there are days when the craving for a coke gets so bad that I'll open the fridge and just look at them. Then - I - have - to - back - away.
Practicing self control is no fun, but it's so good for me.
Ok, so back to the how I see it part. So I want a diet coke and can't have one. It really, really stinks in the moment, but in reality what's the big deal?
Wanting something I can't have reminds me that there are people who are truly needy. I think about the people that want nutritious food and don't have any. Of those that want shelter, a warm, welcoming home, medicine and access to health care, safety and security for their children. Heck, just the ability to care for and feed their children. I have those things, and much, much more. My house may be smallish and simple, but many people in the world would consider it a palace. We never, ever go hungry around here, as anyone can plainly see, and we can pick up and go to the doctor anytime we please. It may cost us an arm and a leg, but we can still go and pay for it without sacrificing another necessity. My kids have abundance of excellent educational opportunities, and thankfully, The Husband has the ability to provide well for us all. We have lots of love, fun, and laughter.
It's a beautiful, wonderful life. It's my life, the life that I have. How wonderful is that?
Giving up diet coke, or Starbucks, puts my life in perspective, in a big way. During Lent, and for a long while afterwards, my approach towards life changes. My thinking changes. My view goes from, "I want...we need...I don't have...," to "I'm so thankful that we have.... we are so blessed."
As if that weren't enough, there's more. Small sacrifices make me more compassionate towards others. I'm reminded to pray more for the needy, I'm more generous with my giving. Sacrificing, no matter how small, reminds me that we are a society, that we're not all in it for ourselves. I'm reminded that the lives of others are just as important as our lives. What a wonderful lesson, one that I know I could use from time to time.
Powerful lessons can be learned by giving up a simple, but much-loved thing. I almost hope that this year my relative tells me again that Lenten sacrifice is "stupid." This year I have a thing or two I can share about that.
That's big time, Big Time, for me.
I do love me some diet coke.
What I do for and give up for Lent isn't something that I advertise, but over the course of five or so weeks, a few people, mostly family, do figure it out. I get a few interesting responses. Some people completely understand the Lenten concept, and are encouraging. Then others look at me like I've grown a second head and are obviously wondering why one should bother. Last year, at the beginning of Lent, a relative (a very opinionated and much-loved one ;) ) went so far as to tell me it was "stupid" to give up something for Lent, that God didn't need you to "deprive yourself from something you love" in order to honor Him. I must admit, that statement rattled me a bit. He did have a point. "Why do we give up cherished activities, things, or food for Lent?" I thought. At the time I didn't really have an answer.
I should say that last year was the first year I have participated in Lent since I was a teenager. As a child, I went to a Catholic school, so every spring the kids would talk about their Lenten sacrifices. Back then I always cheated during Lent, and the whole experience was just a sort of burden I was required to participate in for school. No chocolate for a month and a half? Yeah, right! Thankfully, as an adult, the experience of Lent has been quite different. It's not any easier, although my impulse control has improved, as if often does with age! No, giving up my cherished loves (last year - Starbucks, that was hard!) is still difficult, but now it's meaningful. Powerful even. What I've learned about life, faith, God's love, and myself from making small sacrifices is staggering, I can even say life changing.
Yeah, I said it. My life has changed by simply giving up Starbucks and diet coke for a few weeks.
Wow.
Here's how I see it. So I'm having a day where I'm really jonesing for a diet coke, I mean hard -core gotta have it. Oh yeah, they're still stocked in the fridge, the fridge that this stay-at-home mom looks at all day. The Husband doesn't really like the idea of giving up diet coke until Easter, so I still buy them for him. Most of the time I'm fine, but there are days when the craving for a coke gets so bad that I'll open the fridge and just look at them. Then - I - have - to - back - away.
Practicing self control is no fun, but it's so good for me.
Ok, so back to the how I see it part. So I want a diet coke and can't have one. It really, really stinks in the moment, but in reality what's the big deal?
Wanting something I can't have reminds me that there are people who are truly needy. I think about the people that want nutritious food and don't have any. Of those that want shelter, a warm, welcoming home, medicine and access to health care, safety and security for their children. Heck, just the ability to care for and feed their children. I have those things, and much, much more. My house may be smallish and simple, but many people in the world would consider it a palace. We never, ever go hungry around here, as anyone can plainly see, and we can pick up and go to the doctor anytime we please. It may cost us an arm and a leg, but we can still go and pay for it without sacrificing another necessity. My kids have abundance of excellent educational opportunities, and thankfully, The Husband has the ability to provide well for us all. We have lots of love, fun, and laughter.
It's a beautiful, wonderful life. It's my life, the life that I have. How wonderful is that?
Giving up diet coke, or Starbucks, puts my life in perspective, in a big way. During Lent, and for a long while afterwards, my approach towards life changes. My thinking changes. My view goes from, "I want...we need...I don't have...," to "I'm so thankful that we have.... we are so blessed."
As if that weren't enough, there's more. Small sacrifices make me more compassionate towards others. I'm reminded to pray more for the needy, I'm more generous with my giving. Sacrificing, no matter how small, reminds me that we are a society, that we're not all in it for ourselves. I'm reminded that the lives of others are just as important as our lives. What a wonderful lesson, one that I know I could use from time to time.
Powerful lessons can be learned by giving up a simple, but much-loved thing. I almost hope that this year my relative tells me again that Lenten sacrifice is "stupid." This year I have a thing or two I can share about that.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Not much
I don't have much to say.
I do, however, have to tell on The Husband.
The Husband helped to give the kids a bath tonight. We were all up there together, having a great time talking and watching the kids play in the tub. Our kids love bathtime.
Well, the bath does have a business aspect to it, so eventually I got around to washing Baby Girl, and The Husband got around to washing Little Man.
I'm kind of watching out of the corner of my eye, just a habit of mine, something I don't even realize I'm doing most of the time.
Well, I see The Husband take a clean washcloth, and where I attack bathing face first, he attacks Little Man's behind first.
The behind that just did some business.
Yuck.
I mentioned to The Husband that maybe it would be more sanitary if he washed the behind last, you know, since it's the dirtiest.
He took the bait and replied, "Well, why would I wash it last when I can wash it first and follow with the face?"
Ugh.. The sad part is he was only half joking.
I also need to say that this is the same man, who when I was big and pregnant with Baby Girl, did all the bathing of Little Man.
One day I caught him washing Little Man without using any soap, just a washcloth and water.
Then I found out this had been going on for quite some time.
His excuse that time was something equally lame, I can't remember exactly, but something like the water got Little Man clean enough without soap.
Men.
Oh well. So maybe Little Man hasn't been as clean as I've always thought he was. I guess he's no worse off for it. I do hope, though, that The Husband starts washing the face first and then the behind.
I mean we kiss that sweet face.
I do, however, have to tell on The Husband.
The Husband helped to give the kids a bath tonight. We were all up there together, having a great time talking and watching the kids play in the tub. Our kids love bathtime.
Well, the bath does have a business aspect to it, so eventually I got around to washing Baby Girl, and The Husband got around to washing Little Man.
I'm kind of watching out of the corner of my eye, just a habit of mine, something I don't even realize I'm doing most of the time.
Well, I see The Husband take a clean washcloth, and where I attack bathing face first, he attacks Little Man's behind first.
The behind that just did some business.
Yuck.
I mentioned to The Husband that maybe it would be more sanitary if he washed the behind last, you know, since it's the dirtiest.
He took the bait and replied, "Well, why would I wash it last when I can wash it first and follow with the face?"
Ugh.. The sad part is he was only half joking.
I also need to say that this is the same man, who when I was big and pregnant with Baby Girl, did all the bathing of Little Man.
One day I caught him washing Little Man without using any soap, just a washcloth and water.
Then I found out this had been going on for quite some time.
His excuse that time was something equally lame, I can't remember exactly, but something like the water got Little Man clean enough without soap.
Men.
Oh well. So maybe Little Man hasn't been as clean as I've always thought he was. I guess he's no worse off for it. I do hope, though, that The Husband starts washing the face first and then the behind.
I mean we kiss that sweet face.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Craaazy
Did a kick-butt workout this morning. Afterwards I felt super skinny and toned. I was so excited!! I tried on some of my cute summer clothes, which DO fit better than they did a few weeks ago! I felt like a goddess. By then I was cooled off, so I took a shower. By the time I got out of the shower I felt like a gelatinous blog again. Am I going crazy or were my post-workout endorphins really that strong? Hmmm...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Playing Catch-up
Well.... obviously I've not been much into blogging lately. The kids have done so many, many cute and funny things and I always think, "Oh, I need to blog about that before I forget it!" then of course I forget it. The kids are active now, to put it mildly, and we are having a lot of fun! Even so, even fun can zap your mental energy, and blogging always falls to the bottom of the list. But I've found a few minutes tonight, so here are just a few things that have happened lately:
Baby Girl is singing! She sings the first part of "Baa Baa Black Sheep." It goes like this - "Baa Baa Ba She." Absolutely Adorable. I think she's also tried her hand at "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" but it's a bit hard to tell, it may just be wishful thinking on my part.
Little Man is totally in love with his little sister, and it's amazing to see. He says things like, "I will share (insert name of his favorite toy of the day) with her and help her play." The other night they were outside in the dark while The Husband was grilling our dinner, and he said to his daddy as he held his sister's hand, "I will keep her safe out here, and I will keep her brave." So, so sweet. Whenever The Husband and Little Man build a fire in the chiminea, they go to the side of the house, where it is dark, to find wood. Little Man always asks his daddy to go with him and keep him brave. I thought it was the sweetest thing that he would do the same for his baby sister. One of my greatest hopes in life is that they are one of each other's best friends throughout life. They're off to a good start!
Today we were thinking about our family over in Europe. Little Man has a new favorite book, called The Story of Ferdinand, which is about a bull in Spain. He has to read this book at least twice every night, and today he asked if he could draw a picture of one of his favorite pages. He drew some grass, a cork tree, a bumblebee, and Ferdinand the Bull, it was so good! He decided he wanted to send it to his cousins, like the thoughtful Little Man that he is, so off we sent it. He was so proud, and so was his momma.
Last week we bought a membership to our Botanic Gardens. They have a wonderful permanent children's exhibit, so the membership was well worth the cost. After I bought it I realized that we now have a membership to the zoo, the children's museum, and the gardens. I don't know if the kids are spoiled or we are!
Well, as I expected I had about ten different things on my "to write" list, but I can't remember them. Hmm, I may have to start jotting my ideas down on paper. I can't keep forgetting super cute things like, "Baa Baa Ba She!"
Baby Girl is singing! She sings the first part of "Baa Baa Black Sheep." It goes like this - "Baa Baa Ba She." Absolutely Adorable. I think she's also tried her hand at "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" but it's a bit hard to tell, it may just be wishful thinking on my part.
Little Man is totally in love with his little sister, and it's amazing to see. He says things like, "I will share (insert name of his favorite toy of the day) with her and help her play." The other night they were outside in the dark while The Husband was grilling our dinner, and he said to his daddy as he held his sister's hand, "I will keep her safe out here, and I will keep her brave." So, so sweet. Whenever The Husband and Little Man build a fire in the chiminea, they go to the side of the house, where it is dark, to find wood. Little Man always asks his daddy to go with him and keep him brave. I thought it was the sweetest thing that he would do the same for his baby sister. One of my greatest hopes in life is that they are one of each other's best friends throughout life. They're off to a good start!
Today we were thinking about our family over in Europe. Little Man has a new favorite book, called The Story of Ferdinand, which is about a bull in Spain. He has to read this book at least twice every night, and today he asked if he could draw a picture of one of his favorite pages. He drew some grass, a cork tree, a bumblebee, and Ferdinand the Bull, it was so good! He decided he wanted to send it to his cousins, like the thoughtful Little Man that he is, so off we sent it. He was so proud, and so was his momma.
Last week we bought a membership to our Botanic Gardens. They have a wonderful permanent children's exhibit, so the membership was well worth the cost. After I bought it I realized that we now have a membership to the zoo, the children's museum, and the gardens. I don't know if the kids are spoiled or we are!
Well, as I expected I had about ten different things on my "to write" list, but I can't remember them. Hmm, I may have to start jotting my ideas down on paper. I can't keep forgetting super cute things like, "Baa Baa Ba She!"
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