This little man is the cutest, sweetest little ray of joy in our lives. I just love seeing what he's going to do next. Spontaneous hugs, please and thank yous, questions and observations, and of course a spirited mind of his own are all things that I enjoy about him every single day. And- I won't lie- he's got a bit of an evil streak too.
This kid is friendly. He says "HI!!" and "BYE!!!" to everybody and everything he runs across.
(more to come later)
Today Parker didn't take his nap. Which is not all that unusual. Most days he does, but sometimes (increasingly so) he opts out of it, and on days like today I go in there after listening to ignoring him jumping around and squealing for over 35 minutes, I find him naked from the neck down, diaper flung across the room, and one arm stuck out of the neckhole of his shirt. He says "Good morning! I'm wake up!"
So apparently he has some energy to burn so I bundle us up and we go for a walk in the pumpkin field. I cannot stand to look at him for ONE MORE MINUTE in that green coat he's been wearing for two years, so I find another coat in the closet which I thought was too big but actually wasn't so bad. It was very cold today, but still such a pretty day and I've been enjoying the winter landscape so much this winter (because there's no snow yet!) I do love a snowless winter because it reminds me of home and it FEELS like a proper winter to me. I rather like it. The pumpkin field is vast and stark and empty. We saw one lone turkey who looked like it had one leg hopping around in the lower part. Then he flew away.
He found a golf ball in the field, and asked me to take a picture of it. :)
It was a much better way to spend an afternoon than sleeping, I think. Parker likes these pictures, he looks at them and talks about his gray coat, blue shoes, hat, and his teeth. :) And he likes the walk in the field.
Not much new to share, so I'll post some cute baby pics from when the boys were both 6ish months old. This was a cute age, but I'm soooooo glad we're well past that now. :) I love the fact that Parker wants me to tell him about Santa every night as I'm tucking him in, and he talks about him flying in the sky, and opening presents and about how we went to the mall today to see Santa, and Drew sat with him but Parker was scared and sad. He TOLD me this. Something about how Drew asked for a dinosaur and Parker wants a train. That kid is amazing.
Tonight Halloween was redeemed! We had a great time trick-or-treating and the kids had fun, so I've made my peace with Halloween this year for the most part and had decent closure. Oh well. October was kind of messed up and disjointed and out of control, except for the first week during which I was having an awesomely fun week at home in North Carolina! Back in NH, from a job perspective I shot some of my very best work of the year this month, and was so happy with the photos. On a personal level it was a little too chaotic and disappointing with not being able to go to Spookyworld or out to dinner for our anniversary, and having Halloween snowed out. And not to mention probably the worst thing overall is that our neighbor across the street who created such fantastic graveyard scenes for Halloween the past few years passed away about six weeks ago so he was really, really missed this year. So sad that he went before he could see his favorite holiday one more time. So it wasn't the greatest Halloween year ever but everybody had fun (eventually) and it wasn't completely cancelled, only postponed, so I guess we'll take it.
Turns out, our "new" day for Halloween was beautiful and 55 degrees (not bad for this time of year!) so it was pretty nice. We managed to get all our leaves in the yard all cleaned up, which is a month-long HUGE process, and hopefully it is mostly taken care of. The leaves seem to really be holding onto the leaves late this year.
So Parker wouldn't wear his monkey costume tonight as expected so I pulled out his hamburger suit from last year. It still fit pretty well, although snug in the arms, and he was fine with it. I don't really know what the difference was, but he was pretty opinionated about it, so I let him have it. They were so excited about candy, trick or treating, the lights we put outside, the candle in the (mostly furry moldy) jack-o-lantern,and everything else. AMAZING how Drew and Parker both arrived at an understanding of the holiday at the same time.
And time marches on. I love this time of year but can't seem to get a grip. We need 2% milk, but with each trip to any kind of store I can't seem to remember to get any, even when it's clearly written in huge letters on my list. So I'm beyond the place where list-making seems to help. I'm just insane. I can't get it together.
At any rate, I tried to get some photos of the kids today while the last few leaves are clinging to the ends of the branches. Won't be long and they'll be all gone.
Drew is excited for Halloween, and seems to mostly remember going trick or treating at the mall last year. And keeps asking when we can go do that. He loves to wear his monkey costume, although he's certain he's going as a ghost this year (he's not.) Parker also has a matching monkey costume but is resistant to wearing it, so who knows if he will wear it for trick or treating on Halloween night. I'll have to bust out his hamburger costume again from last year (which still kinda fits) and see if he'll wear that if necessary.
This weekend we went back to Storyland. Last time we went, it was POURING down rain all weekend long and it made for a very soggy and miserable time. We knew we needed to go back one more time this year, in good weather, to redeem ourselves with a good visit. And we did! It was such a treat to actually be able to take my camera into the park and not have to fight to keep it dry.
This vintage milking cow is one of those things that's been around for 50 years or more.....
The antique cars are a classic ride at Storyland, being the very first one inside the park. The lines are always very long, so we only do it ONCE. The kids have a hard time waiting in line that long. Drew loves to drive although he can't reach the gas pedal. It's kind of a sickening ride when he drives. ;)
I love this shot..... that's Parker in the orange shirt up on the bridge.
I had no idea how much they were going to fight over this dang $4.35 slushie. Sheesh!!! I guess they really liked it. And we were TOTALLY sharing that drink back and forth between me, Drew, and impetigo-infested Parker. We didn't have any clue what it was that he had.
And speaking of which, here are the kids all wallowing all over the very public ball pit, Parker spreading his impetigo germs all over the place. I had no idea what he had, I swear! I never even heard of it until we got back home and took him to the doctor on Monday.
A couple of Storyland classics..... the train, and the Old Woman in the Shoe. And yes, there is actually an old woman in the shoe, handing out stickers. I was shocked and amazed that Drew actually went in there and got a sticker from her (both days!).
Parker was, and has been, always obsessed with the train. Even before we went, somehow he remembered our trip in June and when I mentioned Storyland was always talking about "train tracks." I really don't know HOW he remembered that, but it's amazing talking to a two-year old that doesn't have a language delay because oftentimes they really DO know what they're talking about!!! I'm astounded.
In fact, ever since we've been home, he's been talking about the traintracks, and also the flamingo, hippopotamus, alligator, and monkeys..... all of which are things that we saw from the train during our many rides around the park. I can't believe he really remembered all those things and is still talking about it, even a week later! It really was his favorite thing, last time and this time, so who am I to question? The heart wants what the heart wants.
As we left, we had to let the kids run under the tunnel that connects each side of Rt. 16...... even though we didn't park on the other side of the road, they were still fascinated by the tunnel and had to check it out.... as kids do, crazy obsessed about "tunnels" and running to the other side of them, no matter how bland or uninteresting they are. I think they need to paint a mural in there. :)
We stayed at a different motel this time, in North Conway, and it (like the other one) had outstanding ratings on Trip Advisor and was just great. They even recommended a restaurant, Muddy Moose, sort of across the street that we actually walked to, and it was very kid-friendly. In fact the whole place was filled with kids. Drew did much better this time, alternating his time between coloring and Angry Birds. It was much less stressful than the last time we tried to take them out in public. All in all, pretty good, but not something we'll be doing again any time soon. That's my nice big Blue Moon beer there......
I just love Parker. He kind of falls into the shadows here on my blog, because Drew is older and has so many extra needs. But Parker is an amazing little guy, and he's such a bright spot in our family. And he has been even since before he arrived.
This will possibly sound weird, but I'm 100% certain I'm not the only mother that ever had this kind of experience. After I had Drew, and for several months afterwards, I was completely OVER the whole pregnancy/birth/having babies thing. I was done. I was so bitter about my c-section, so exhausted and fed up with breastfeeding, and colic, and sleepless nights and feeling so clueless and helpless about every minute of my life, that I swore up and down we would never have another baby. Like, okay, I tried it once and wasn't thrilled with the experience, so I just won't be doing that again. And yet, I had this feeling that I would. One more. I felt like there was another child out there for me. Who would be coming later, definitely..... not just right then, but soon enough.
When Drew was 12 months old we started talking about having another baby. Which--looking back on it--seems RIDICULOUSLY soon. What the hell were we thinking? But it was seriously like we were on some kind of path. We had started to have a clue that something was different about Drew but didn't know how, and we really believed that giving him a baby sibling to grow up with, in the long run, would probably be really good for him. And I got pregnant when he was just 14 months old. I cried at night, wondering if we were doing the right thing by Drew because I knew I wouldn't have as much time with him during his twos. It seems naive, looking back on it. I think you obsess a lot when you only have one child to worry about. In truth, it's not that big of a deal.
So anyway, there came Parker. He didn't arrive in the form that I expected. I was 100% certain I was carrying a girl. I had a girl's name picked out, and girl's bedding and a whole theme for the baby's room. We went to our ultrasound and the tech said it was a boy and I started crying and cried the rest of the day, actually. The waterworks were endless. I cried for several months after that, in private. Oh well. It all seems so dramatic in retrospect..... but at the time I was really torn up about it. The truth is, it just doesn't matter.
Time heals everything, and by the time I was into the 3rd trimester I was fine with it. His pregnancy was so easy, and everything went so well. When he was born, I had the VBAC I wanted, and it healed all of that unfulfillment that I had with my previous c-section. Whereas for 2 years I had not a day go by that I didn't think about it, and felt the pang of bitterness. After I had Parker and the VBAC, I have rarely thought of that c-section again. It's like it never even happened to me. He healed me in a wonderful way, because I got the birth experience that I wanted, and I have happy memories now. It was like I called do-overs and was able to correct everything that I hated the first time around. That's good stuff.
Now that we're well into the game, I can't imagine not having my kids so close together (despite comments from relatives about how it wasn't a great idea). Dave surprised me one day recently when he said, "I think the best thing we ever did for Drew was to have Parker." And I have always thought the same thing. For all the therapies that we get him, and all his time at school, nothing is as valuable as having a typically developing role model to live with day in, and day out, at a time when he really needs it the most. I can't even imagine how less effective it would be if we'd had our 2nd child a year or two later. The moment of need would have passed, and things would be so different. Now that Parker is 2 years and 4 months old, he's a a developmental stage that in some ways is not TOO different from where Drew is, from a social and play skills stand point. This puts them very much as peers and they learn so much from each other on a daily basis. I really think that Drew would not be where he is today if we hadn't had Parker when we did.
He's also good from a momma standpoint. It's thrilling to have a typically developing child. I'm so much more aware of the milestones and the stages, and it's such a relief (and so fun!) to have him hit all his marks when he's supposed to. So cute to hear a child start talking so early, and express himself, and be so funny. It's just nice to have a nice, typical, "normal" experience with your child and be in the moment. We take normal for granted, but it's just such a relief.......a nice, easy thing. And so cheap!!! :D We often marvel at how Parker says and does things on his own that we've had Drew in therapy for months to be able to do.
So as you can see, these two are brothers from somewhere in the universe sent to me to be their momma. Not sure why they picked me, but they came as a package no doubt.
Yesterday we went to Odiorne State Park because there's lots to do there, including a big playground, tidepools and rocks to explore at the water, trails to walk around and the Seacoast Science Center. The kids are getting so big, and so easy to take along to places like this. It took LONG ENOUGH for us to get to this point. It seems Parker and Drew have both arrived at this nice easy place at the same time. Phew.
Drew loves his hat. Wore it all day yesterday. Sadly, the hat is now gone and got lost in our travels. Probably got left behind at the Science Center, that was the last place we saw it. Such a bummer!!
On the way home we had lunch in Maine at the Dog House. We quickly had to correct ourselves and tell Drew it was the HOT Dog House, because he started to think there were really going to be dogs there. Haha. Everything will be fine as long as we manage his expectations. :)
This was my super messy smeared up foot-long chili dog. With beans in it, which is typical for a New England chili dog. ;) But it was good anyway.
And hey there's me!!! I made it onto my own blog.
It was a fun day! Will update later with some pics of Parker. He was there too. :)
I thought for a change from my months-long summaries that I occasionally do for my boys, that I would do a snapshot of this week. This week only. The most up to the date kind of thing.
Drew:
His current obsession is America's Funniest Home Videos. So we have a bunch of AFVs in the DVR right now, and he loves them all.
He's become a different kid just this week. His language is amazing. Now he's arguing with us, and being contrary to everything we say. In other words, probably the closest version to a normal 4 year old that he's ever been so far! He's using pronouns and possesive pronouns like they're going out of style, and using them correctly. We can't wait to see Cass tomorrow to tell her about the stuff he's saying. It's off the hook.
Been talking a lot about his Thomas trains. We went to Toys R Us this weekend and got him a couple new trains because he's now into collecting. He looks at the little poster that comes in the trains and points out all the ones he doesn't have yet and says things like, "I have an idea. I think we need Edward. Can we get Edward for here my house?" "I think we need more trains."
He loves riding the bus to school. Loves school.
Currently preoccupied with going back to Liquid Planet to ride the waterslides. We went last weekend and he rode the waterslide with Dave no less than 17 times. After that he lost count. Also still asking to go back to Storyland.
Was SUCH a big boy in the past week. Rode the bus for the first time with no tears, got his haircut last weekend with no tears (usually the screaming and hysterics are so bad that we're afraid the neighbors will call the police), waited in line at the waterslide with no problem.
Parker:
Well, Parker is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. Mr. Personality. His language is really taking off too, and I am not joking when I say that Drew has learned (many) things from Parker. Everybody warned us that Parker would be a model for Drew, and it's very true.
I was having a really hard time with the bus pick-up and drop-off with Parker around because he wants ON THAT BUS and pitched the biggest, most physical fits the first week of school. But this week I have him in a routine where he doesn't even wake up until Drew is on the bus at 7:25. And when he comes home I can usually distract him long enough inside the house with something or another so that I can sneak down the driveway to get Drew off the bus. And he never even notices!
He's loving the variety of fresh fruits right now..... blueberries, strawberries, raspberries.
After a hiatus of a couple of months where he was completely disinterested in the iPhone and iPad, he's back on full obsession. He can nail letters, shapes, colors, animals, puzzles, small vs. large, and many other concepts. He knows all the numbers for counting 1-10 and can't do them ALL in order yet, but can get a few here and there in the right order and loves yelling, " NINE TEN!"
Gives lots of hugs and will practically trip me in order to grab my legs and pull tight and say "hug!!"
Another quick one from today. Not much story to tell, just a straightforward trip to Clough State Park which is a quick drive from us. A dip in the lake is a great way to keep the kids occupied for a morning! Dude. That water is cold.
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