Coloring

So Connor gets stamps at Gymboree when he goes. So I thought it would be cute to draw a little fish on his belly. That quickly turned into this:

~Brooke

Commercials

In the age of DVR's I feel no need to ever watch commercials.  You want to hold my attention? Or want me to watch?  It better be funny.  I have found two that I laugh at every time without fail:







~Brooke

The vaccine debate settled....for me

My brother recently got married a month ago. I love my new sister-in-law. She really will be the sister I never had. They went on their honeymoon to Cabo in Mexico and had a great time. They came home and Megan wasn't feeling that well and hasn't really for about a month. Yesterday was the worst she has ever felt. My brother to her to the ER. They ran a few tests, including one for H1N1. Turns out, she has viral menengitis! She's been admitted to the hospital and is in pain, but should be fine. She was worried about everyone she's been in contact with - particularly kids. I told her not to worry about Connor - he's been vaccinated. And I was so relieved my husband and I made that decision. To vaccinate. I know they can be scary, but in this instance - its been peace of mind.

She's of course, worried about me getting it as well. I told her I'll be fine - she didn't lick me :)

~Brooke

Motherhood 101

My motherhood top 10 to date:


1. I have already fallen prey to the thumb lick. It happened Friday. I hate the thumb lick. Hopefully I won't do it again. (But, what choice did I have - we were on our way to Target and he had cream cheese on his nose. I had to get it off).

2. I had my first morning blow out just this week. Got up, went to the bathroom, got myself together - then got Con changed. Um yeah, poop everywhere. Inside the jammies, up the back, up the belly. Good lord it was not a pretty sight. He went straight to the tub.

3. I have had to hold my child when peeing. Before Connor I swore the bathroom was off limits. When I'm in the bathroom, no one else can come in. Yeah that lasted a long time. When he melts down and says "up" while I'm peeing, what choice do I have to stop the tantrum?

4. I have put him in the trunk. While yes, this is, in fact, true, it's only when I'm loading the groceries. Let me tell you, you get some funny looks standing there with your kid with him in the trunk. (And before you call CSA, I have a hand on him and he can't pull the trunk lid down on himself.)

5. I have taken him out of his crib at night just to hold him while he's sleeping.

6. I have to check on him before I go to bed...and every time I get up at night. I wonder what age he will have to be before I quit that one?

7. In a pinch, I've taken a drink out of the sippy cup. :hanging head:

8. I use having a child as an excuse to play on the playground too. If you can't get in there and enjoy it with them - what's the point?

9.  As a working mom, I have never been one to be annoyed at middle of the night wake-ups.  I look at it as a little more time I get to spend with him.

10. I am fiercly protective of my family.  Something happened after I gave birth.  It's not just my son, it's my whole family unit.  I'm like some sort of freaky steriod-laced lioness.

Tampons make good bath fellows

I can't remember the actual saying...something makes strange bedfellows, but what that something is, I can't remember.


Anyway -


Connor has started coughing and has a funky belly. Tonight I'm stripping him down for his bath and his poor behind could not be redder from the tummy trouble. I've never seen a little butt so red (I'm sure he'll be thrilled I broadcast that once he's older). He's screaming and crying while I'm trying to clean him up. I decide to give him a bath. It's one of his favorite things - he's not calming down. In an effort to distract him from the pain, I try giving him cups, balls, razers (just seeing if you're paying attention). Finally I reach down and give him a tampon. He loves it. And really, what's not to love. Add water - it takes on a whole new shape! So, I give him a bath and use my secret diaper rash remedy (okay, it's equal parts plain yogurt and aquaphor. Mix and keep it chilled in the fridge) to which he started to scream again. After some snuggle time, he calmed down (with the help of Handy Manny) and hopefully he's now out for the night. Who knew tampons were such fun?

Rules were meant to be broken

While Con is only 17 months old, I think I'm teaching him to break the rules a little early. You know what? I'm okay with that. As long as he's not hurting himself or someone else, why not break the rules? My friend Stacy can tell you a story about the time we took the kids to the zoo. She ducked into the bathroom. She has a son about Connor's age, and another who is 6. Her 6 year old brought a friend. They both wanted to push her youngest in the stroller, so I offered up Connor so they could both push a stroller. By the time Stacy came out of the bathroom, both 6 year olds were running around the zoo lobby with strollers. The little ones liked the speed, the big boys were happy. I still think Stacy wonders what the hell is wrong with me.

I probably let Connor do things other parents wouldn't let their kids do. (You've seen the bil-jac post). We have a wagon with a canopy on it. Connor was being a monster on our walk one day, so I put him on top of the canopy and pushed him home. I sometimes let him eat cookies before lunch, I let him play in the trash - along as it's not too gross. I don't stifle him when he wants to splash water, write with an ink pen or play in my make-up bag. Frankly the only thing he gets told no to is headbutting and biting. Anything else is up for grabs. Being a fairly big follower of "the rules," I think life would be more fun if every once in a while, they are broken.

Honestly

I don't know why I'm surprised any more. I can't turn my head away from this family. I'm oddly fascinated by them. Maybe it's the fact they live debt free, but come on. Really? 19? I just have one thing to say to that.