“My momma is Nina,” I smile at him and say.  ‘Nina’ named herself after my brother gave her her first grandchild seven years ago.  I’m not sure why she didn’t want to be called ‘grandma’, but I have a sneaking suspicion it had a something to with her feeling too young to take the title.

“Your momma is Nina,” he squints while questioning my reply.

“Yeah, buddy.  Nina is my momma,” I confirm.

Reichen mulls it a minute before asking, “Momma?  Who is Dadda’s momma?”

I see it.  It’s happening right in front of me.  He’s making connections, my first born.  He’s beginning to think outside himself.

“Dadda’s momma is Grandma,” I say.

“Dadda’s momma is Grandma,” he reiterates.

During the 10 minute trip to Target, we go through quite a few branches of our family tree.  Who are my brothers, aunts, uncles, grandmas, and grandpas.  Who are daddy’s brothers, aunts, uncles, grandmas, and grandpas.

And he gets it.  And it’s amazing. 

Almost as amazing as him going #2 on the toilet. 

Almost.

Thanks Parenting 411 for naming 3 Stinky Boys and Me to your Top 20 Best Parenting Blogs.  I’m so super psyched about it.  And if I had a designer dress, I’d totally wear it while writing this post.

But I don’t.

Instead of this…

That wouldn’t happen.

A fabric potted plant from Etsy:  it’s a good thing.

David:  “Why do you want me to go to work, buddy?”

Reichen:  “Because I need some money to give the lady at the mall so I can ride the carousel.”

The sweet conversation I overheard between Reichen and his Daddy.

You squeeze me tight and say, “Don’t let me float away.”

“Never,” I reply.  “You’re my baby now and for always.”

I realize it’s the wind that you’re worried about

“These are really big gusts,” you snuggle up and shout.

Your 3 year old self is convinced it will happen

You just know you’ll drift away unless you take action.

So you scamper up my leg and to my neck you cling

“Momma, hold me tight,” I hear you begging.

My world stops spinning and I will myself to remember

This moment with you, I will treasure it forever.

Your words, your embrace, your weight in my arms

Your smile, your giggle, your little boy charms.

You won’t fly away now, but one day you will

You’ll have lots of adventures with the dreams that you fill.

And when you’re soaring in the sky, I will remember this day

When the wind whipped and you worried you might float away.

And, here’s the cherry on top of my what’s wrong with me sundae:  it’s not the first time I’ve done it.

Interior designer Palmer Weiss is a genius.  Click here to enjoy more of her absolute awesomeness.

My husband bragging about how he was the one who finally got Reichen to poop on the potty.  The trick:  bribery.  David bought our little boy a Lightening McQueen race track set and told him the only way he was going to get it is to go #2 on the toilet.

The Crystal Glace Neckace is such a lovey, layered piece.  I love the mix of geometric shapes and the contrasting colors of the hand-cut glass stones.  $118.

I really like the delicate asymmetry of this vintage-inspired mulitstrand necklace.  The Crystal Web piece has teardrop-shaped pendants scattered on strands of crystal and hematite chains.  $85.

All the pears, crystals, and brass chains makes for such a twisty treat on your wrist.  I think it’s so great  that all you have to do is put on one piece and yet, it’s such a great layered look.  $88.

I so die like Rachel Zoe over this black bracelet.  The soft hand-dyed pink ribbon contrasting with the hard black glass is such a cool combination.  $65.

This vintage inspired ring is as classic as it gets and you can wear it to more places than a cocktail party.  I would pair mine with boyfriend jeans, a white T and a little black blazer.  $65.

These golden bursts of fireworks are going to light up your lobes when you wear them.  The simple and stunning JCrew earrings are $55.

Fiona the Fern

August 2009 – February 2009