Too Quiet

Here I sit on the couch in my house missing a little boy, because it is too quiet in the house. I can hear the babble of a little girl talking about her shoes and reading a book, I hear the sound of two crazy dogs wrestling as they try to figure out who is top dog (for the millionth time), and outside I can hear the construction from a couple of blocks away, but the sound that's is missing is Morgan. The silly laugh, the endless chatter, the pitter patter of little feet always finding something new and exciting to do and even the sound of all the "noisy" toys he loves to play with with Chloe.

While I kept it all together on Monday, today was a different story. Monday I didn't have to leave him, but today, dropping off my little baby boy to spend three hours learning and laughing and playing without me, I realized that he really isn't a baby boy anymore. He's a big boy who doesn't have a twinge of fear knowing that he is on his own today...no mommy, no daddy, no Chloe, just Morgan, Miss Corinne, Giffy, Wyatt and all his new preschool buddies...not even a glance behind him as he headed off to the manupulative table to the sound of my "Goodbye, I love you!" Chloe and I were like a couple of lost sheep when we got home, not knowing what to do with ourselves, so we went on some girly errands to pick out fun fabrics, but still the time could not pass fast enough. While I know that I will adjust and adapt and learn to relish this time while he is gone, for today I am counting down the minutes until we can go pick him up and give him an extra big hug, just so he knows we missed him!

(Now, does that sound more like the emotional mess of a mommy you all know and love?)

Back to School

Today was the day...Morgan's first day of preschool. Last night, his nerves started to get the best of him and he said, "Mom, I'm not big enough to go to preschool. I'm still little." I couldn't agree more little buddy! Then he told Seth he wanted to have Dad come with him and not Mom. Well, that didn't sound like a good plan to me, so instead we both went and I think he was pretty happy about that.

He looked utterly adoreable in his back to school clothes and his itty bitty backpack.

While I didn't get nearly as emotional as I expected, I am sure it was obvious that he is my oldest child. I had the camera out and ready to capture every moment of his first day. Now, I am not a crazy, follow-your-kid to school mom, it just so happens that the first day of preschool at his school is an "open-house" meaning that parents come with their kids for a shorter-than-normal class to learn how things work and see the kids in their routine. It was so fun to watch him learn new things, interact with new people and get excited about all the cool things waiting to be explored! I could tell he was a little overwhelmed with all of the excitement and just trying to soak it all in, but as we talked about it after class, I could tell that he loved it!

One of my favorite parts was watching him raise his hand to answer questions. Every question that was asked, he raised his hand...and kept it raised long after the question was answered (sometimes even by him) and all the other kids' hands were down. So funny!

I also loved how excited he got about the "library" station where they have little couches and books to read. He just went right in, picked out a book, found a seat and started "reading". That's my little guy for you!

The scariest part was when they got to color some basic shapes and cut them out with parent assistance...I was very scared for the safety of my fingers as I helped him move the paper to cut out the shapes. Circles and hearts are a little tricky for a first-time scissor user. (Sorry, no pictures of this event...I had the camera around my neck but my hands were very busy trying to avoid choppage!

As soon as we got home, Morgan went down to his room to change out of his "school clothes" until I realized what he was doing and explained that "school clothes" is just what we call them, we still wear them ALL DAY. He is already talking about the next time he goes to school, so I think he liked it enough to go back! Happy first day of school sweetie!

The Birthday Song

Mom, this post is for you, so that you know I am documenting all the little things!

Today I realized that August and September are big birthday months in our family. Within a few short weeks we celebrate Uncle Jonathan, Grandma Denese, Grandma Becky, mine, Sarah and Grandpa John's birthdays (and I think I am forgetting someone in there...blame it on pregnancy brain!). Not only does this make for ice cream and cake (or ice cream cake, in my family) every Sunday for almost two months, it also makes for a lot of singing of the Happy Birthday song.

While Morgan has known the Happy Birthday song (extended Tate version and regular version) for a long time now, I didn't realize just how much we must sing it until today...
We called everyone in to "sing happy birthday to Grandpa John" and as Chloe was walking in the room, we all heard her distinctly singing (not saying, singing with inflection and changing pitches), "Happy birthday to you..." Of course I second guessed that she actually sang it and thought I might be interpreting just a little too much, but when my mom said, "did you hear that?" and Seth and Grandpa John said they had, I knew I was not just nuts. Who knew that a 17-month-old girl could sing the first line of happy birthday? Next thing I know she will be two-years-old, busting into the Cleaners singing "Just another maniac Monday" like her momma used to do. (Oh, and I do know that it is manic monday, but I used to sing maniac.)

To My Cute Hubby...

Seth has finished his second week of school, and it is already overwhelming with homework, classes, 3 pm to 3 am work shifts, and all the projects you are finding the time to work on at home. So, this post is just to say THANK YOU to my wonderful hubby for all you are taking on to make sure our growing family has a happy future ahead. I know that school and work are time-consuming and demanding, but the fact that you are willing to help me out around the house, spend time with the kids, and finish up all of our projects in your "spare time" (and still find time to read this blog) is just amazing ! Hopefully all our projects will be done soon and we can spend some "spare time" playing rock band...until then, know that the kids and I are really proud of you and grateful to have you as our dad/hubby. We love you Sethy!

P.S. I don't think there is anything sweeter than the sight of you concentrating on doing homework on your laptop with Chloe sitting on your lap reading a book, while you occasionally point out her favorite pictures. You are the best!

Quirky

First of all, let me just say that I really like the word quirky. It just sounds so cool! Anywho...I have been ignoring a number of tags (mostly because I have been slacking in my blogging) and thought I'd get back on the tag-wagon by completing this one...

List 6 quirky things about you.

1. I am really really really happy when my house is clean (that's not the quirky part) but it very rarely is. I really hate clutter on my countertops/table/dresser/piano/etc. but can never keep any of them clear for more than a couple of days at a time. I wish that I could afford a housecleaner!

2. When it comes to my social views, I see things more like a guy than a girl - I am not easily offended (though I do notice things that should be offensive and wonder why I am not offended), I am quick to forgive and forget, I am a believer in "work it out and move on", I am not into clicks - I am an includer, and I HATE drama...so much that I will subconsciously distance myself from people who create drama in my life.

3. I really don't like watching (and often reading) the news which is funny since I graduated with a degree in Public Relations (a very close relative to journalism). I cry during the broadcasts and I am bored during the rest, so I just avoid the news altogether. This was a huge problem when I was in school and a portion of every class was devoted to discussing current events or how public relations was affecting the hot topics in the media. When I was working, "stay more aware of current events" was the only suggestion for improvement on my annual review.

4. While I am a bit of a daredevil in real life, I can't handle scary movies or the sight/implication of blood. In fact, I can't handle commercials for scary movies, they give me nightmares for weeks. Have you ever seen the movie First Knight? Well, the fight scene from that movie doesn't even show blood, but I still can't handle it! Pathetic, I know.

5. Even though I survived and thrived on an average of 3-5 hours of sleep a night in college, if I don't get a solid 8 hours plus nowadays, I feel exhausted all day long. Luckily, my kids are really good sleepers, and I usually get my 8+.

6. I always take on more than I can handle...not just a little more...a lot more (I realize that this is a statement of the obvious). Whether it be home improvement projects, crafts, furniture to refinish, schedules filled with commitments, responsibilities or an ornate dinner in a tiny slice of time - I try to take on the world! In fact, I don't know what to do with myself when I haven't taken on too much.

Sorry to all of you whose tags I have failed to complete!

Ultrasound

We had the ultrasound today and the gender was clear. Watch the video to find out...girl or boy?

If you couldn't tell from the video, it is definitely a girl, and I'm afraid she may be just as stubborn as her sister is. She was such a little stinker during the ultrasound - it took forever to get everything they needed because she wouldn't stop moving and when she did stop she was in the weirdest positions. A big HOORAY for dressing up my little girls up in twinner outfits, though.

Mesmerized

Yesterday we took a little family outing to Toys-R-Us. I wish I had captured on video Chloe's reaction to the moving puppies, barbies and especially the baby doll aisle. Every time she would see something new (and preferably pink) she would inhale really long with her mouth wide open and make this gasping noise as if to say, "WOW, look at that!" (It was the equivalent of what my reaction would be shopping for diamond tennis bracelets or boats that I could afford.) Then she would figure out which buttons to push to make it move, talk or cry, until she saw something else that was equally cool and exciting and start the process over again! I have a feeling that Christmas is going to be really fun with her this year. Oh, to be 1 again!

Where did he learn that?

I often find myself asking this question about Morgan. It seems like he knows so much that I haven't "taught" him. He only watches limited Signing Time Videos, Elmo's World Videos and the occasional Veggie Tales or Disney movies, so he isn't picking this stuff up from TV and Preschool doesn't start for another 5 days (yes, the countdown has begun) so he isn't getting it there...yet, though I know he will soon.

Today, we were coloring a picture to give his preschool teacher on his first day, and as I watched him color, I realized that he was holding the crayon with the correct writing grip - we've never worked on that, so I wonder how he figured it out? Then he said, "I'm going to write my name now," and 'signed' his name in one long squiggly line at the bottom as he sounded out Morgan - again, writing his name is not something we have even talked about. Lately at mealtime he has been very grateful for his food. It doesn't matter whether I have whipped up Chicken Piccata, mashed potatoes, squash and bruschette or a grilled cheese sandwich, Morgan always says, "This ________ is really good Mommy. Thank you for making it for me." I probably should have taught him this, but I capped my manners training at a simple please and thank you - I know, low expecations for a 3 year old, right? So, while I am blissfully happy that he has learned these things, I am still left to wonder where he learned it.

Then there are the things that I see him do and know exactly where they come from...often to my dismay. "Freaking dogs," "Not gonna happen" and a bossy little, "Sit down Chloe or you will have to get out of the bath right now," are among the many phrases he has picked up from yours truly. I occassionally notice him biting his nails when he gets nervous or edgy about something and his expectations that everything to be done exactly his way are all too familiar.

One thing is for certain, I sure love watching this little guy learn new things. I'm glad he is picking up some good stuff along the way, and while I may not know the source, It's great to know that even if you don't do everything right as a parent ('cause who really does) kids learn the stuff they need to anyway!