Wow, it's 3:06 on a Wednesday, and here I am, sipping coffee and casually catching up on my computer stuff. How can it be so? This morning Liam had his first ever Before School Playdate. This amazing luxury included his friend's mom picking him up from our house, taking him and said friend to play, then taking them back to her house for lunch, bringing them to school AND bringing Liam home after school. WOW!! I actually felt a little sick to my stomach about Liam not being here with us this morning, but mostly incredibly happy for him to be able to play with his friend all day. I was also happy Brendan handled NOT going as well as he did (which is to say perfectly!)
Then my parents came over and I was able to get a few things done around the house too. Brendan almost didn't take a nap, but finally did, and it definitely has been awesome. Next year Liam will probably be going to am kindergarten at his grade school, and then pm at the Montessori, so it will be a very long day for him (especially since it starts around 8, and he doesn't even wake up til 9!) And I already miss him and all the years I've had with him before school really started. But time marches forward. One consolation for me is that Brendan will be with Liam in the afternoon school (and I won't even begin to complain how monumentally expensive next year's tuition bills will be, which is sort of crazy considering it's preschool/kindergarten, but that's a rambling for a different day.)
The strangest part of all my sentimentality is that for the last couple weeks, we have had no daytime routine to speak of and we're totally full of cabin fever and there hasn't been a zen moment during our days much at all, and my work schedule's been a bit insane, and I don't like the mood in our house many times throughout the course of our days. Yet still, when I have a moment to myself I find my thoughts focused on wanting to spend as much time with these little guys as I can, before they're not so little anymore. This morning Liam got into his friend's car and shut the door without so much as a kiss or wave goodbye to Mom (though he did wave, probably with some prompting, as they pulled out of the driveway.) He's so ready to dive into the next chapter of his adorable little life, and I just hope I am too!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
(Two Posts in Two Days!) Da-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah, nah-nah-nah
Two buds...
The hawk that flew over my head in the backyard a few months ago. Liam and Brendan spotted it across the street a couple weeks ago.
Tired Jedis
Youngest Jedi
I kept wondering why Zoey loved the Gingerbread House so much, and then I remembered there were a couple peppermint kisses on it - her fav
Cousins and uncle rocking out Christmas Eve
I see a garage band in my future (good thing we have a detached garage
The two newest babies in our family
Me and my bro and our new sons
Christmas Eve
LTs bday
The hawk that flew over my head in the backyard a few months ago. Liam and Brendan spotted it across the street a couple weeks ago.
Tired Jedis
Youngest Jedi
I kept wondering why Zoey loved the Gingerbread House so much, and then I remembered there were a couple peppermint kisses on it - her fav
Cousins and uncle rocking out Christmas Eve
I see a garage band in my future (good thing we have a detached garage
The two newest babies in our family
Me and my bro and our new sons
Christmas Eve
LTs bday
Monday, January 10, 2011
Our House
I sent Eric a list of improvements I still want to make to the house. They are as follows:
area carpet for LR
new carpeting/flooring in the back room
activity table for the boys downstairs
Zoran paint back room (and dining room?)(which requires new trim)
new doors upstairs and the closet downstairs
redo upstairs bathroom
fence the yard
addition on or above the backroom
move
Actually, the list is quite a bit smaller than it was when we moved in. And it has been shrinking every year, sometimes dramatically. However, so has the value of our house. Our starter house. Which we did not plan on living in forever. Which was grossly overpriced when we bought it, but surely real estate prices would never decrease. Surely not. Maybe plateau for a time, which would be perfectly reasonable. And then, with the thousands of improvements we made to the place, we could sell it for a comfortable price and buy the Right House. The one we envisoned living in. The one which probably was not this house. Really, as I look around now, this house is fine. I don't even know where I would want the right house to be. When we were potentially going to move I started to love this house, and miss it. I can see the kids' school from this house. Our amazingly awesome babysitter lives across the street. Eric can walk to the train in 5 minutes, and I can walk to work in 7. We have a new, open basement for the kids to play in, a nice long backyard for the same purpose, only a few things left on the list to complete and it will be perfect. So what's the problem? Is it that the grass is always greener? I guess so. And I'm just not used to staying in one place for so long. Except for when I was growing up, because we never moved.
Speaking of houses, I never posted the gingerbread house LT, Brando and I made this year.
Or his birthday cake, which he and Brendan decorated (and picked the colors of, though I did write the "Happy Birthday" part:
Here is Brendan, when he insisted on wearing a fireman hat and a knit cap, in that order, to go outside:
area carpet for LR
new carpeting/flooring in the back room
activity table for the boys downstairs
Zoran paint back room (and dining room?)(which requires new trim)
new doors upstairs and the closet downstairs
redo upstairs bathroom
fence the yard
addition on or above the backroom
move
Actually, the list is quite a bit smaller than it was when we moved in. And it has been shrinking every year, sometimes dramatically. However, so has the value of our house. Our starter house. Which we did not plan on living in forever. Which was grossly overpriced when we bought it, but surely real estate prices would never decrease. Surely not. Maybe plateau for a time, which would be perfectly reasonable. And then, with the thousands of improvements we made to the place, we could sell it for a comfortable price and buy the Right House. The one we envisoned living in. The one which probably was not this house. Really, as I look around now, this house is fine. I don't even know where I would want the right house to be. When we were potentially going to move I started to love this house, and miss it. I can see the kids' school from this house. Our amazingly awesome babysitter lives across the street. Eric can walk to the train in 5 minutes, and I can walk to work in 7. We have a new, open basement for the kids to play in, a nice long backyard for the same purpose, only a few things left on the list to complete and it will be perfect. So what's the problem? Is it that the grass is always greener? I guess so. And I'm just not used to staying in one place for so long. Except for when I was growing up, because we never moved.
Speaking of houses, I never posted the gingerbread house LT, Brando and I made this year.
Or his birthday cake, which he and Brendan decorated (and picked the colors of, though I did write the "Happy Birthday" part:
Here is Brendan, when he insisted on wearing a fireman hat and a knit cap, in that order, to go outside:
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
INEXPLICABLE POCKET
Sorry about that; my caps lock was on.
I have two semesters left of school. Obviously, that is a very good thing, but I'm already feeling nostalgic about those trips down to Champaign. (Did I already write this post before?) I submitted my application to the program at 11:59 on February 31, about 4 years ago. It was due by March 1, but I didn't know if that meant 11:59 on February 31 or March 1. I didn't want to have put myself through that entire application process to be rejected for being late. Anyway, what I should have learned from the application process was that it was going to be an extremely stressful journey. I think Eric and I almost broke up at 11:56, but I got the application in, and I couldn't have done it without Eric's help. And that was another glimmer into the future, because I couldn't have this program at all without Eric's help. Wait, this is turning into an Academy Award acceptance speech. So, would now be a good time to mention the time we were in Chamapign and Brendan didn't want to go to bed so he had a 9.0 temper tantrum and threw up on the hotel bed? Yes, maybe finishing this program will be even better than I'm thinking.
So anyway I started the program in July when I was what, 7 months pregnant with Brando. That was insane. We had one two-credit-hour class that met down at UIUC over 10 days. It was INSANE. They call it bootcamp, and I think the comparison is a tiny bit justified. But by far the hardest semester was this past one, with Aidan a newborn and the big boys not quite so big. Eric could of course one-up me, because he finished his grad program the year after Liam was born, and he interviewed at the big G in Mountainview with the whole family in tow when I was 7 months pregnant with Aidan, and with the big F the week after Aidan was born, and had to decide if we would all move to Palo Alto in about 3 days. That was quite a lot of pressure too. Now, with the end sort of finally in sight, I am starting to get giddy about having extra time to do stuff besides schoolwork. Wow, that will be so incredible!
Also, btw, I am a TOTAL Psychic! Because tonight, for the first time in a looong time, after I wrote the above post but before I posted it, Brando had a 9.0 temper tantrum. Fortunately he did not throw up, but he did expertly push my buttons, so that I at one point made the exact same yelling noise he was making, to see what he'd do, and he stopped for a second, looked at me, asked for a kleenex, and then continued right on with his The Exorcist meltdown, and it didn't phase him at all. I can't quite imagine what I would have done if my mom yelled at me, but apparently from Brando's reaction, not much of anything. I know, just leave him alone. (sorting or directing him to anything once the meltdown has begun does not work.) I'm sure with a lot of kids they'll stop in ten minutes, or an hour. BP? Not likely. It was our fault because we let him stay up til the ungodly hour of 8:30. I know, what the hell were we thinking?!? But like I say, these are much fewer and further between these days, so that's good. Instead he just teeters on the brink of meltdown, and usually is able to recover himself before going off the cliff. But if he's going to go down, by lord he's taking the lot of us down with him.
Oh yes, and finally. Why do so many of Aidan's clothes have pockets?
no pocket here...
(we call him Aidan Michael Jordan. If you can't see the resemblance above, well, you will when you see his out-of-this-world hops on the bball court.)
I have two semesters left of school. Obviously, that is a very good thing, but I'm already feeling nostalgic about those trips down to Champaign. (Did I already write this post before?) I submitted my application to the program at 11:59 on February 31, about 4 years ago. It was due by March 1, but I didn't know if that meant 11:59 on February 31 or March 1. I didn't want to have put myself through that entire application process to be rejected for being late. Anyway, what I should have learned from the application process was that it was going to be an extremely stressful journey. I think Eric and I almost broke up at 11:56, but I got the application in, and I couldn't have done it without Eric's help. And that was another glimmer into the future, because I couldn't have this program at all without Eric's help. Wait, this is turning into an Academy Award acceptance speech. So, would now be a good time to mention the time we were in Chamapign and Brendan didn't want to go to bed so he had a 9.0 temper tantrum and threw up on the hotel bed? Yes, maybe finishing this program will be even better than I'm thinking.
So anyway I started the program in July when I was what, 7 months pregnant with Brando. That was insane. We had one two-credit-hour class that met down at UIUC over 10 days. It was INSANE. They call it bootcamp, and I think the comparison is a tiny bit justified. But by far the hardest semester was this past one, with Aidan a newborn and the big boys not quite so big. Eric could of course one-up me, because he finished his grad program the year after Liam was born, and he interviewed at the big G in Mountainview with the whole family in tow when I was 7 months pregnant with Aidan, and with the big F the week after Aidan was born, and had to decide if we would all move to Palo Alto in about 3 days. That was quite a lot of pressure too. Now, with the end sort of finally in sight, I am starting to get giddy about having extra time to do stuff besides schoolwork. Wow, that will be so incredible!
Also, btw, I am a TOTAL Psychic! Because tonight, for the first time in a looong time, after I wrote the above post but before I posted it, Brando had a 9.0 temper tantrum. Fortunately he did not throw up, but he did expertly push my buttons, so that I at one point made the exact same yelling noise he was making, to see what he'd do, and he stopped for a second, looked at me, asked for a kleenex, and then continued right on with his The Exorcist meltdown, and it didn't phase him at all. I can't quite imagine what I would have done if my mom yelled at me, but apparently from Brando's reaction, not much of anything. I know, just leave him alone. (sorting or directing him to anything once the meltdown has begun does not work.) I'm sure with a lot of kids they'll stop in ten minutes, or an hour. BP? Not likely. It was our fault because we let him stay up til the ungodly hour of 8:30. I know, what the hell were we thinking?!? But like I say, these are much fewer and further between these days, so that's good. Instead he just teeters on the brink of meltdown, and usually is able to recover himself before going off the cliff. But if he's going to go down, by lord he's taking the lot of us down with him.
Oh yes, and finally. Why do so many of Aidan's clothes have pockets?
no pocket here...
(we call him Aidan Michael Jordan. If you can't see the resemblance above, well, you will when you see his out-of-this-world hops on the bball court.)
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Noble Kings and Princes
Every day, I complain about something. I'm not proud of that, but I know I do. Yet I also think I do have a real appreciation for all that I have, so much so that I'm always a little worried it's TOO good. Recently I've been realizing how I live better than almost all the past kings and queens ever did. They never had indoor plumbing, heating and air conditioning, cars, top notch medical practices, delicious food of every kind and culture at their fingertips, etc. etc. It's pretty amazing to think that you live better than a queen. I once told a friend some advice that I was told. Before you walk down the aisle at your wedding, stop for a minute and really take it all in, look at the people and the church and experience it, because it goes by so fast and most of it's a blur. She reminded me of that in the Christmas card she sent me this year, and I immediately went to the Living Room and watched my boys playing and then made them come over and give me a hug. (Ok, Aidan was in the entertainment saucer, but he was watching.) Anyway, I wish I would complain less, but I am happy that I pretty much know how lucky I am and really do appreciate it every day. But a lot of times I feel like my hamster and just want to eat my kids because I love them so much. (well, at least that's the reason I would eat my kids. In her case it might have been some other reason.) So in the midst of baking and present wrapping I'm going to stop and take it all in once and a while too.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Last day of Having a 4 Year Old & 3 Year old
I don't have time to wax poetic about Liam's transition from 4 to 5. Or about how awesome it's been to have these little boys take over my house, starting just about 5 years ago. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to do that, but until then I'm just posting some random pics of my 3 favorite boys. Most are of Liam and Brendan, because today is my last day of having a 4 yr old and a 3 yr old. Aidan will still be zero for some time. :o) I love these little guys and I feel so lucky that they love each other too.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Well That Didn't Last Long
My self-imposed teetotaler status has ended. Like I said, that was one fun party on Friday night, but I think I can get back in the saddle again. Phew. This'll make me more fun on margarita night. So...when's margarita night?! Ok, after y'all have your babies. Fine. Should I bring the blender to the hospital? I'm so classy.
And no, contrary to how this post reads, not drunk. Just a little overtired since Aidan's been getting up periodically for the last couple weeks because of "teeth pains." Basically on any given night SOMEone gets up for some reason, but I'm not going to complain at all because for a week or two Aidan completely stopped going down easily into the crib (again that magical thing where he would be awake and you could PUT HIM DOWN and he would just GO TO SLEEP. Incredible! Never would I have believed it really happens if I didn't get him.) but now things are back on track there. So if I have to get up once or twice for a short time (or more accurately if Eric has to) then I can't complain cause overall it's fine. Just tiring.
I need a drink. :o)
And no, contrary to how this post reads, not drunk. Just a little overtired since Aidan's been getting up periodically for the last couple weeks because of "teeth pains." Basically on any given night SOMEone gets up for some reason, but I'm not going to complain at all because for a week or two Aidan completely stopped going down easily into the crib (again that magical thing where he would be awake and you could PUT HIM DOWN and he would just GO TO SLEEP. Incredible! Never would I have believed it really happens if I didn't get him.) but now things are back on track there. So if I have to get up once or twice for a short time (or more accurately if Eric has to) then I can't complain cause overall it's fine. Just tiring.
I need a drink. :o)
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