Posts Tagged ‘Reichen’

A Sign of the Times

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Singing Lady GaGa’s latest, Telephone,  at the top of our lungs, the boys and I stop suddenly when we see it, the sign.  We pass the placard as we pull into our driveway after spending a fun morning playing at the park.

 younghouse3

“What’s that, Momma,” Reichen asks.  “Is it a sign?”

“Yes, baby, it’s a sign,” I say while wondering how to answer the question I know is next.

“What does it say,” he asks.

It’s the question I’ve been dreading.  How do you tell a 3 year old we’re leaving this life and starting another?  I decide I’m being a bit dramatic and instead only give him the answer to the one he asked.

“It’s a sign,” I say, ”telling everyone who sees it we’re moving.”

“We’re moving,” he questions.

“Yup, we’re moving,” I confirm.

“Oh,”  he says.  “Let’s swing!”

Since then, we’ve had a few more conversations about how daddy got a promotion and in order to do his new job, we need to move from one state to another. 

“Ne-bwahhh-ska,” he tells our neighbors when they come over inquiring about the sign.  “We’re moving to Ne-bwahhh-ska.”

It’s so sweet. 

What’s not so sweet:  Keeping your house in immaculate condition while raising two toddlers so any time a realtor calls and says she’ll be there in 15 minutes to  show your house, it will be ready.  That’s so the opposite of sweet.  And so are the some of the duds who’ve toured my home and say I have too much personal style.

I’m not kidding, that’s what some say.  And I agree, I guess I do.  I don’t live in a house of beige and cream.  I love stripes, color, and lots, and lots, and lots of throw pillows.  If you want to see for yourself, you can click here for a mini tour. 

Some people love it, others don’t, and that’s putting it kindly.  Whatever the case, I believe the ‘personal style’ of our home will be what sells it.  Some one will see it and love it just as much as we do.

In the meantime, I think Reichen is right.  Let’s swing!

Toddler Talk

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Latham:    “What are those, RyRy?”

Reichen:   “Those are your balls.”

Latham:    “Where are Daddy’s balls?”

Reichen:   “They’re not here.  They’re at work with Daddy.”

The comical conversation between my two boys this afternoon while I changed Latham’s diaper.

Toddler Talk

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Reichen:  “Where did the bubbles go, Dadda?”

The question my 3 year old asked after his father, my husband, told him it was alright to urinate outside for the first time this afternoon.  David explained bubbles are only a perk when you pee in the potty.  The perk when you pee outside:  writing your name anywhere you want. 

Of course, I was not there for that conversation.  I only learned about it after Reichen excitedly volunteered all the gory details at dinner.

Sigh.

He Just Kept His Secret and Smiled

Monday, March 15th, 2010

When he meandered out of his room and into mine, I. Could. Not. Believe. It.

“Hi Momma,” he grinned like it was no big deal he just hurled his baby body out of his crib, opened his bedroom door, strolled down the hall to his brother’s room and twisted open that knob too.

“Latham, how did you get out of your crib,” I gasped as he toddled toward me.

“I don’t know,” he laughed after he wrapped his chubby arms around my neck and squeezed.

Released from his room, Reichen was two steps behind breathless to provide play by play of their great escape.  “MOMMA, Latham opened my door!  He got out of his crib,” he excitedly said while jumping and clapping.

Out of curiosity, I walked Latham to his room, plopped him in his crib, and asked him to show me how he hopped out. 

He didn’t. 

He just kept his secret and smiled. 

latham09

 

Who’s Your Momma?

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

“Who is your momma, Momma?”  It takes me by surprise, his question.  With brows furrowed, Reichen peers at me through the rear view mirror waiting for an answer.  We’re in the minivan driving to Target.  I promised my potty training toddler he could pick out one toy from the super store if  he went #2 on the toilet.  A few minutes and a series of squeezes later, we had a winner.

“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.

Toddler Talk

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

Reichen:  “Can you go to work, Dadda?”

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.

Don’t Let Me Float Away

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

young_nov09_22

 

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.

Toddler Talk

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Reichen:  “The girl in blue hurt me today.”

Me:  “She did?”

Reichen:  “Yeah.”

Me:  “What happened?”

Reichen:  “She hit me in the head with a car and then I yelled NAUGHTY GIRL!!! NAUGHTY GIRL!!!  And then…”

{pause} {pause} {pause}

Reichen:  “I spit in her face.”

What my 3 year old said happened after I dropped him off for an hour at the gym daycare this morning.  After I died a little on the inside, we had a very long conversation about how you never spit at anyone.  Ever.

Toddler Talk

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Reichen:  “What is that, Momma?  Is that a little bit of poop?”

What my 3 year old toddler said to me after I spilled taco meat all over myself.

We’re Not Really a TV Family. And By We, I Mean My Boys, Not Me.

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

We’re not really a TV family.  And by we, I mean my boys, not me.  I am totally a TV person.  In fact, my DVR and I are best friends.  I know this because not only have we exchanged BFF necklaces where she wears one half of the gold heart charm and I wear the other, we also spend all of our free time together watching Project Runway, The Housewives of Orange County, and The Bachelor.  It’s awesome.

What’s also awesome:  the power the one program I allow Reichen to watch every night before bed wields over him.  Have you seen The Wonder Pets on NickJr?  It chronicles the adventures of three singing classroom pets:  Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling and Turtle Tuck, who travel the world and use teamwork to save baby animals in distress.

wonderPets

I don’t know who makes this stuff up, but who ever it is, commands more control over my son than I do.  No matter how many times I tell Reichen his baby brother doesn’t really like being gagged, tackled, and whipped to the floor,  nothing stops my kid quicker than me threatening him with The Wonder Pets.

Me: “Don’t tackle your brother.  It’s not nice.”

Reichen:“I like to tackle Latham.  He likes it.”

Me:“If you tackle Latham again, you have to sit in time out.”

Reichen:“Okay, Momma.  I’m going to tackle Latham and sit in time out.”

Me:“If you tackle Latham, you have to give me your cars.”

Reichen: “Okay, Momma.”

Me:“If you tackle Latham, you can’t watch The Wonder Pets tonight.”

Reichen: “I can’t watch The Wonder Pets?  Okay, Momma.  I won’t tackle him.”

The  Wonder Pets threat works for everything:  eating veggies, taking a nap, not touching toys at Target.  Everything.  I’m even thinking about writing a book about it as a new technique to parent toddlers.  At play dates, it’ll be the talk of all the moms.

Mom #1: “My toddler is throwing tantrums every time I ask him to eat his peas.”

Mom #2: “Have you read that book about The Wonder Pets technique?”

Mom #1: “No, I haven’t.  Does it really work?”

Mom #2: “It really works.  You should read it.”

Yup, I think it would be a best seller. Maybe I’ll even get on Oprah.  I’m totally going to write it, but first I have to watch Project Runway with my BFF.   Until then, here’s Reichen singing The Wonder Pets theme song. He busted it out on us tonight.  We didn’t even know he knew it.

I’m So Losing My Mom Membership

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Did I tell you I am a failure as a mother signed Reichen and Latham up for a Valentine sticker exchange?  I thought it would be so fun to peel stickers off my walls for my two toddlers, so when the local moms club I joined this summer offered to pair off all the kids in the group for a Valentine and sticker exchange I was all, why would I ever do that we’re so in!

I bundled up the boys and drove them to Target last week where they begged for every toy in the store searched for their Valentine selection.  After yelling ‘I WANT THAT ONE!’ so loudly my eardrums are now permanently scarred a collective collaboration, the boys picked this cheap sweet box of Nemo cards.

nemo

Reichen and Latham also whined for me to buy them selected these stickers from the movie Cars to mail their friends.

carstickers

Since there were two sheets of stickers in one package, I thought I’d be cheap split them.  A day later, I mailed each of the boys on our exchange list one Valentine and one sheet of stickers and I admit,  I was feeling frickin fabulous relieved about completing my task on time, that is, until Latham received this:

songbook

IT’S A HOMEMADE VALENTINE SONG AND FINGERPLAY BOOK!!!

book

WITH PAGES AND PAGES AND PAGES…

book1

OF SONGS AND FINGERPLAYS!!!  BUT THAT’S NOT ALL…

lathamname

THE MOM WHO MADE IT ALSO STAMPED LATHAM’S NAME IN SESAME STREET LETTERS!!!  AND…

heart

SHE MELTED CRAYONS INTO THE SHAPE OF A HEART AND ATTATCHED IT TO THE FRONT OF THE BOOKLET!!!  AND…

elmostickers

SHE DIDN’T EVEN SPLIT THE TWO SHEET PACKAGE OF ELMO STICKERS!  SHE GAVE LATHAM BOTH SHEETS!!!

Sigh.  I didn’t even know you could melt crayons into the shape of heart.  I’m so going to lose my membership in the moms club for this one.

David Just Knows. And Reichen Does, too.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

David was out of town the first time he really freaked me out. We had just moved in together after dating about 8 months and while I knew him pretty well, I didn’t know anything about his most intriguing trait. He doesn’t like to talk about it. Even now, he’s wary of me to writing about it. He says if I do, it might go away. But it never does. And we’ve talked about it a lot over the years because he keeps doing it. And now, it appears, my 3 year old does it too.

All I wanted to do when I pulled into our drive way that night nearly a decade ago was eat dinner and go to bed. It had been a long day at work and with David out of town, I wanted it to be over. But when I grabbed my purse and shut the door of my Ford, Explorer, I just stopped and stared. I immediately jumped back in my SUV, locked the doors, and with my heart racing, I dialed David.

I told him something really strange was happening in the house and before I said another word he interrupted, “Every light in the house is on.”

I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. How could he know? He had been out of town two days. I’m the one who turned off the lights and locked the house that morning. Not to mention I never turn on every light in the house.

“How do you know that,” I stammered.

“I just know things,” he said simply.

Since that day, I have heard that phrase more times than I can count. David just knows things. And I’m not sure how he knows them. He just does.

He knows what strangers at the table next to us at are going to order before they do. He knows the exact score of a football, baseball, or basketball game before they’re played. He knows exactly how many pieces of candy are in a bag of m&ms.

David just knows things.

I agree, it sounds odd. It is odd. I wouldn’t believe it myself, if I didn’t witness David doing it day and in and day out over and over and over again through the years.

What’s even more odd: Reichen now knows things, too.

Reichen is passionate about music. When we’re in the car, he begs me to turn on the radio and from my rear view mirror I see my son dancing and singing to the songs. He wants to know the name of every tune and he wants to know who sings it.

I never thought much of it, until the boys and I were driving to get my daily dose of diet vanilla coke a few days ago, that’s when Reichen spouted off One Republic would be the band to play the next song.

“We’ll see,” I said.

My eyes bugged when the band’s latest hit began to blare through my minivan speakers. Reichen jammed a bit before making his next prediction.

“Momma, Fireflies is next,” he smiled.

“All right, Doodle Bug. Let’s listen for it,” I replied.

Good thing we were stopped at Sonic waiting for the drink I ordered, because I was stunned when the top 40 song started playing.

Since that day, Reichen has made other mind boggling predictions, ones impossible for him to predict.

Ever since Reichen was born, he has been the spitting image of his father.  And it’s not just me who says it. Complete strangers stop me on the street, at airports, and restaurants and confirm it.  But it appears he’s inherited more than his father’s looks.

Reichen, just like his dad, now just knows things, too.

ReichenandDavid

Chugga Chugga Poo Poo

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

pottytraining

 

I hear it coming, it’s on the way

In fact, it’s here and it’s here to stay.

 

The potty train is at your front door

And I’m the conductor yelling, ”All Aboard!”

 

You get mad and say it’s not for you

To that, I reply “Chugga Chugga Poo Poo!”

 

You think it’s funny and laugh a little bit

Until you’re on the stool and then you start to kick.

 

You’re filled full of  fluids and I know you have to go

But when I ask you if you’re ready, you say ’No! No! No!!”

 

So we continue to sit and wait several minutes

We read, play games, and I try every gimmick.

 

I tell you there’s candy, it’s your favorite reward

You just have to potty and every piece can be yours.

 

We wait and we wait and get really bored

But suddenly you’re ready and both of us are floored.

 

You did it! I knew it! I’m so full of elation!

Reichen’s train has finally left the potty station.

Toddler Talk

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Reichen:  “I like playing with you, Dadda.”

The sweet, simple statement my 3 year old said while building a Lego dinosaur with David.

There’s. Nothing. Funny. About. It.

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Reichen has been really sick the past 10 days.  He has hand, foot, and mouth, the same horrible disease Latham contracted just a few months ago.  And it’s been truly terrible.  Again.

For days and days, I’ve tried to think of a light, clever, and funny way to blog about the illness, but then I realized:  there is nothing funny about my 3 year old running a high fever, not eating a single bite, and sleeping constantly for 10 straight days. 

fullhoofandmouth

There’s nothing funny about my 3 year old losing 15% of his body weight, his repeated bloody noses, or having the worst case of blisters in his mouth and down his throat the pediatrician has ever seen.

hoofandmouth

There’s nothing funny about the sores covering my 3 year old’s mouth, nose, and lips, his gums being so inflamed every time I brush his teeth they bleed, or hearing him cry from pain in his sleep.

There’s.  Nothing.  Funny.  About.  It.

 

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