I was just putting all the clean dishes away and cleaning the dirty dishes. I had the dishwasher open for easy access. Cullen was pulling out a few spoons and forks which happens all the time whenever the dishwasher is open.
I'm finishing up the last pan when I hear Cullen pull dishes out. I glance over and see he has a dinner plate in each hand. My first thought was, "This is not going to turn out well." I just had a gut feeling. He's done this before especially when he 'helps' unload the dishwasher. So, I see a dinner plate in each hand and am vehemently telling him no and to put them down. This gets a giggle and smile out of him while bringing the plates up higher in the air.
My hands are soaking wet with soap and water. I go to throw the pan and sponge in my hands in the sink when I hear the inevitable. The sound of a dinner plate hitting the tile floor and breaking.
I see Cullen standing in the middle of a broken plate not quite sure what has happened, and then try to walk away from it. I grab and pick up Cullen removing him from the immediate threat of broken porcelain. I put him down to look at the bottom of his feet and see shards from the plate. To the bathroom we go! Rinsed off his feet, then went to go clean up.
As I'm cleaning up the kitchen, I hear Cullen playing in the bathroom and the toilet flush. I go to check on him on my way to get the vacuum. I find he has pulled out all of Jackson's toddler wipes and put them in the toilet bowl. Good times!
After cleaning up the broken dinner plate and the bathroom mess, I realize I'm not angry. I don't care about the dinner plate or the toddler wipes. Those can be replaced. As long as Cullen wasn't cut and doesn't attempt another daring weight lifting attempt, the mess doesn't bother me. Funny how my mind has completely shifted after having kids. As long as they are okay, everything else can be replaced. Although, I'm terminating Cullen's 'attempts' at helping for awhile.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Ingenious Minds
Although not technically safe, I only made a half-hearted try to stop it. I mean really. It's not like the sofa cushions are going to break. Mayhap, the child if for not landing on the cushions, but that didn't happen (this time). The boys did this all on their own while I stepped out of the room for a few minutes. After about 30 minutes non-stop of jumping, I finally put an end to it and called nap time. At least nap time went well!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Gross Anatomy Lesson
I've been working on teaching Jackson and Cullen body parts since they were little. We started off with the easy ones, such as nose, ears, eyes, mouth, etc. From there, we learned arms, elbows, legs and so forth.
Jackson has become more observant as he has gotten older and has noticed differences between himself and me. He started noticing a few months ago after he insists on barging in on me while taking a shower or using the bathroom. (You have to love the fact that when you have kids, you have absolutely no privacy anymore unless you lock the door.) After Jackson started pointing out to me I don't have a "Jackson" on me, I started teaching him the rest of his body parts.
I decided to go with the anatomically correct name. My philosophy being its better he learned the correct word because he'll learn all the slang later on in life. I taught Jackson he had a penis, and Mommy does not have one. Simple, efficient, non-complicated. He learned it immediately, so my job was done. Or so I thought.
Ever since Jackson learned he had a penis, he has consistently pointed it out every time he uses the potty, bath time, and random moments during the day. At first, I thought this was just a brief period of fascination because he learned a new name to a body part. I was wrong. This has been going on for a month. It's not just pointing it out anymore either. I have been told when he needs to adjust it in his underwear, when it itches, and the fact that Mommy doesn't have one several times.
With all of Jackson's talk about his manliness, I have come to the conclusion men started obsessing about their parts as soon as they learn what they are. It has got to be a pride thing. As in "Look what I have that you don't." Ah to be so proud of things!
I'll just add this to the list of things I don't know if I'll every understand about living with boys.
Jackson has become more observant as he has gotten older and has noticed differences between himself and me. He started noticing a few months ago after he insists on barging in on me while taking a shower or using the bathroom. (You have to love the fact that when you have kids, you have absolutely no privacy anymore unless you lock the door.) After Jackson started pointing out to me I don't have a "Jackson" on me, I started teaching him the rest of his body parts.
I decided to go with the anatomically correct name. My philosophy being its better he learned the correct word because he'll learn all the slang later on in life. I taught Jackson he had a penis, and Mommy does not have one. Simple, efficient, non-complicated. He learned it immediately, so my job was done. Or so I thought.
Ever since Jackson learned he had a penis, he has consistently pointed it out every time he uses the potty, bath time, and random moments during the day. At first, I thought this was just a brief period of fascination because he learned a new name to a body part. I was wrong. This has been going on for a month. It's not just pointing it out anymore either. I have been told when he needs to adjust it in his underwear, when it itches, and the fact that Mommy doesn't have one several times.
With all of Jackson's talk about his manliness, I have come to the conclusion men started obsessing about their parts as soon as they learn what they are. It has got to be a pride thing. As in "Look what I have that you don't." Ah to be so proud of things!
I'll just add this to the list of things I don't know if I'll every understand about living with boys.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Cullen's First Haircut
I've been avoiding getting Cullen's haircut for awhile. He has such cute curls in the back, and I didn't want to get rid of them. With that in mind, I came to the realization last week Cullen really needed a haircut. His bangs were reaching his mouth and catching boogers from his nose. The back of his hair was so long when wet it was past his shoulders. It looked crazy (and mullet-ish). So I broke down and told Andrew Cullen needed a haircut, his first.
We took Cullen yesterday to get the deed done. He was pretty good throughout the whole ordeal. I surprised myself with being completely fine with getting his locks chopped off. The lady who cut his hair cut it in a way to preserve the curls and crazy waviness he inherited from me. Cullen was moving around a lot so it was hard to get a non-blurry picture. I did my best. My baby's first haircut! He looks like a little boy now!
We took Cullen yesterday to get the deed done. He was pretty good throughout the whole ordeal. I surprised myself with being completely fine with getting his locks chopped off. The lady who cut his hair cut it in a way to preserve the curls and crazy waviness he inherited from me. Cullen was moving around a lot so it was hard to get a non-blurry picture. I did my best. My baby's first haircut! He looks like a little boy now!
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| Before |
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| During |
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| The end result! |
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Explicit Language
I'm preempting this post with a warning. Not all of you will find the amusement I found when this happened. So you are forewarned....
On Monday, I had to pick up Andrew at work. We had go get his car from the dealership after having some work done. I packed up the kids, and we headed off. I was almost to Andrew's office building when I had to suddenly stop at a red light. It was one of those I knew I wouldn't be able to make, but it happened so quickly I had to hit the brakes fast.
As soon as the car stopped, Jackson pipes up from the backseat with, "God damn it!"
At first I was shocked he said it, then I had to force myself not to laugh. I really wasn't expecting that phrase to come out of my two and half year old's mouth!
"Jackson, you do not say that. Those are grown upwords, and you are not allowed to say them," I said leaning into the backseat.
"Yes, ma'am," Jackson says with a big smile on his face.
Later that night when we were home, I told Andrew what Jackson said. He just looks at me and says, "I wonder where he learned that from." Insert heavy sarcasm, a dry look on his face, and an eye roll.
My answer to him, "Well, it could have been worse. I've been really good lately."
Yes, my son took the Lord's name in vain as well as used explicit language. I'm not even going to pretend he didn't learn it from me. I'm not a perfect mom. Okay, I'm not even close to perfect or great or good. I'm me. I raise my kids to the best of my abilities and hope for the best. But at least I can claim I love my kids with all my heart. In the end, that's all that matters to me. And I got a good laugh out of the whole thing. I just made sure I didn't laugh in front of Jackson!
On Monday, I had to pick up Andrew at work. We had go get his car from the dealership after having some work done. I packed up the kids, and we headed off. I was almost to Andrew's office building when I had to suddenly stop at a red light. It was one of those I knew I wouldn't be able to make, but it happened so quickly I had to hit the brakes fast.
As soon as the car stopped, Jackson pipes up from the backseat with, "God damn it!"
At first I was shocked he said it, then I had to force myself not to laugh. I really wasn't expecting that phrase to come out of my two and half year old's mouth!
"Jackson, you do not say that. Those are grown upwords, and you are not allowed to say them," I said leaning into the backseat.
"Yes, ma'am," Jackson says with a big smile on his face.
Later that night when we were home, I told Andrew what Jackson said. He just looks at me and says, "I wonder where he learned that from." Insert heavy sarcasm, a dry look on his face, and an eye roll.
My answer to him, "Well, it could have been worse. I've been really good lately."
Yes, my son took the Lord's name in vain as well as used explicit language. I'm not even going to pretend he didn't learn it from me. I'm not a perfect mom. Okay, I'm not even close to perfect or great or good. I'm me. I raise my kids to the best of my abilities and hope for the best. But at least I can claim I love my kids with all my heart. In the end, that's all that matters to me. And I got a good laugh out of the whole thing. I just made sure I didn't laugh in front of Jackson!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Our Trip to Cajun Country
The week before Easter, our family headed out on a road trip to Cajun Country (aka Louisiana). Specifically, we visited Covington, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge. Andrew and I had been wanting to go visit out extended families for awhile, but with schedules and kids being born, it has been put off for awhile. We technically haven't been back since we were married, which will be 6 years in June.
We arrived late afternoon Wednesday. We were wiped out from the drive, so we just ended up relaxing with the kids at my Grandma's house for the afternoon and dinner. My Mom had flown down to see us as well. The kids were excited to see their GG. My aunt and uncle were nice enough to host us for three days and allow us to take over there upstairs. After the drive and dinner, everyone crashed early.
We had my cousin's wife, who I just consider a cousin, take pictures of the boys on Thursday. Nikki is an awesome photographer. It was the first time I've been able to have her photograph Jackson and Cullen. If you are ever in the Covington/Mandeville area, check out her website. After the photo shoot, we headed over to Cafe Du Monde for beignets. Nikki, her girls, and my cousin Brian showed up, and we were all able to catch up. It was the first time Jackson and Cullen had ever eaten beignets. I got some cute pictures on my phone which I have yet to download. We ended our day with dinner at my Grandma's house with my Mom.
On Friday, Andrew and I got up early and took the boys to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. We got there right when it opened at 10am. While we were waiting in line to get tickets, I got stung by a bee. I mean really this stuff only happens to me! For someone who has had very bad reactions to bee stings in the past, surprisingly I didn't have a bad one. Of course, I think most of it was force of will that the trip to the zoo wasn't going to be ruined before we even got into the gates. Jackson and Cullen loved it! They were exceptionally good and wiped out. Too bad when we got back to my Aunt's house, they were having their annual Good Friday crawfish boil. I saw a few other cousins, aunts, and uncles. The boys played with their cousins, and everyone had a good time!
Saturday morning, Andrew and I packed up and headed over to Baton Rouge to spend time with Andrew's brother, Paul and his family. We haven't seen them in 4 years. Paul and Emily have three girls. They were gracious enough to host our brood. After nap time, Paul and Emily had an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids in a local park.
Sunday was Easter. After everyone went to church in the morning, we all met up at Emily's parents house for an Easter lunch. Andrew's parents, sister, Ruth, and Ruth's kids drove down to Baton Rouge. After a lovely lunch and lots of play time outside for the kids, we went back to Paul and Emily's house. All the cousins were able to play together outside for a few more hours, then we all had dinner. Everyone was able to visit, especially Andrew who was happy to see his family.
Monday morning, we drove out of Baton Rouge and headed home. After a crazy long drive, we finally made it home. Jackson and Cullen were ecstatic about being able to get out of the car. Andrew and I were pretty stoked too. All in all, we had a busy trip filled with seeing lots of family, and Jackson and Cullen enjoying playing with all their cousins!
We arrived late afternoon Wednesday. We were wiped out from the drive, so we just ended up relaxing with the kids at my Grandma's house for the afternoon and dinner. My Mom had flown down to see us as well. The kids were excited to see their GG. My aunt and uncle were nice enough to host us for three days and allow us to take over there upstairs. After the drive and dinner, everyone crashed early.
We had my cousin's wife, who I just consider a cousin, take pictures of the boys on Thursday. Nikki is an awesome photographer. It was the first time I've been able to have her photograph Jackson and Cullen. If you are ever in the Covington/Mandeville area, check out her website. After the photo shoot, we headed over to Cafe Du Monde for beignets. Nikki, her girls, and my cousin Brian showed up, and we were all able to catch up. It was the first time Jackson and Cullen had ever eaten beignets. I got some cute pictures on my phone which I have yet to download. We ended our day with dinner at my Grandma's house with my Mom.
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| Jackson and Cullen petting a goat at the zoo. |
On Friday, Andrew and I got up early and took the boys to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. We got there right when it opened at 10am. While we were waiting in line to get tickets, I got stung by a bee. I mean really this stuff only happens to me! For someone who has had very bad reactions to bee stings in the past, surprisingly I didn't have a bad one. Of course, I think most of it was force of will that the trip to the zoo wasn't going to be ruined before we even got into the gates. Jackson and Cullen loved it! They were exceptionally good and wiped out. Too bad when we got back to my Aunt's house, they were having their annual Good Friday crawfish boil. I saw a few other cousins, aunts, and uncles. The boys played with their cousins, and everyone had a good time!
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| Sitting on a totem poll at Audubon Zoo. |
Saturday morning, Andrew and I packed up and headed over to Baton Rouge to spend time with Andrew's brother, Paul and his family. We haven't seen them in 4 years. Paul and Emily have three girls. They were gracious enough to host our brood. After nap time, Paul and Emily had an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids in a local park.
Sunday was Easter. After everyone went to church in the morning, we all met up at Emily's parents house for an Easter lunch. Andrew's parents, sister, Ruth, and Ruth's kids drove down to Baton Rouge. After a lovely lunch and lots of play time outside for the kids, we went back to Paul and Emily's house. All the cousins were able to play together outside for a few more hours, then we all had dinner. Everyone was able to visit, especially Andrew who was happy to see his family.
Monday morning, we drove out of Baton Rouge and headed home. After a crazy long drive, we finally made it home. Jackson and Cullen were ecstatic about being able to get out of the car. Andrew and I were pretty stoked too. All in all, we had a busy trip filled with seeing lots of family, and Jackson and Cullen enjoying playing with all their cousins!
Monday, April 16, 2012
The Stomach Virus Strikes!
I know I've been bad about not posting lately. I have a valid excuse. We returned from our Louisiana trip (which I will post about this week), and everyone in my household gets sick, including me! Yuck!
It started the day after we got home, Tuesday night. Cullen threw up in his crib after we put him down. It was disgusting. Andrew and I were tag teaming to clean up the mess while the other is holding Cullen making sure he got it all out of his system. It was my turn to hold Cullen, and my stomach starts to roll. Luckily, nothing happened but poor Cullen got sick again in the middle of the night. He was also sick all day on Wednesday.
As Cullen started to feel better, I received a call from preschool on Friday saying Jackson has a fever. Wonderful. Seeing as we were at the dentist, Andrew picked him up since he was finished first. Jackson got sick Friday but was feeling back to his normal self on Saturday. I could tell because his appetite came back with a vengence.
Poor Andrew probably had it the worse. All Friday night and Saturday he was sick. I think he lost 15 pounds in a 24 hour period. And on top of all of it, Andrew's birthday was Saturday, so we never got a chance to celebrate it. I felt horrible for him!
As for me, I was sick Tuesday through Saturday. Andrew had to come home early one day just so I could go to bed, relax, and sleep. I still wasn't better, but seeing as everyone else was sick, I took care of them. It was not fun.
We did not do anything this weekend but try to recover from the stomach virus that hit us hard. I still can't believe it took all of us out in a matter of days. Poor Cullen is still having some residual effects, but he's being a trooper. Andrew is back at work, and Jackson is back at school. I'm trying to put our household back together which is becoming difficult. I never really finished unpacking from our trip, then every one got sick, so my house looks like a hurricane hit it. Cleaning is not my favorite task, but right now tackling the house seems immensely overwhelming. I guess I'll take it one room at a time. It's the only way I can see getting my house back into the resemblence of the organized chaos it usually is.
As for our trip, a wrap up will get posted this week on the condition everyone stays healthy.
It started the day after we got home, Tuesday night. Cullen threw up in his crib after we put him down. It was disgusting. Andrew and I were tag teaming to clean up the mess while the other is holding Cullen making sure he got it all out of his system. It was my turn to hold Cullen, and my stomach starts to roll. Luckily, nothing happened but poor Cullen got sick again in the middle of the night. He was also sick all day on Wednesday.
As Cullen started to feel better, I received a call from preschool on Friday saying Jackson has a fever. Wonderful. Seeing as we were at the dentist, Andrew picked him up since he was finished first. Jackson got sick Friday but was feeling back to his normal self on Saturday. I could tell because his appetite came back with a vengence.
Poor Andrew probably had it the worse. All Friday night and Saturday he was sick. I think he lost 15 pounds in a 24 hour period. And on top of all of it, Andrew's birthday was Saturday, so we never got a chance to celebrate it. I felt horrible for him!
As for me, I was sick Tuesday through Saturday. Andrew had to come home early one day just so I could go to bed, relax, and sleep. I still wasn't better, but seeing as everyone else was sick, I took care of them. It was not fun.
We did not do anything this weekend but try to recover from the stomach virus that hit us hard. I still can't believe it took all of us out in a matter of days. Poor Cullen is still having some residual effects, but he's being a trooper. Andrew is back at work, and Jackson is back at school. I'm trying to put our household back together which is becoming difficult. I never really finished unpacking from our trip, then every one got sick, so my house looks like a hurricane hit it. Cleaning is not my favorite task, but right now tackling the house seems immensely overwhelming. I guess I'll take it one room at a time. It's the only way I can see getting my house back into the resemblence of the organized chaos it usually is.
As for our trip, a wrap up will get posted this week on the condition everyone stays healthy.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Introduction to being a Man
It's been a long time since I've blogged! I actually have a good excuse. Andrew, Jackson, Cullen and I took a road trip last week and part of this week to Louisiana for family visits. I'll have a longer post on are adventure later this week. Here is a quick story from the drive home.
Jackson and Cullen had been really good on the 8+ hour car ride home. We were in the home stretch of the last hour when Jackson decided he needed to use the potty. I was driving in the middle of nowhere. We were about 10 minutes past a town and at least another 20 from the next. I generously broke the speed limit hoping to make it to a gas station or fast food place.
Five minutes later, Jackson started whining and saying he really needed to go. Andrew and I knew we weren't going to make it, so I pulled over on the side of the road.
Andrew hopped out and got Jackson out. He whipped his pants down and said, "Ok Jackson, pee in the grass." Jackson immediately started peeing on the side of the road. He was so excited! And ended it up with, "I did it!"
We got loaded back up and finished our long journey home. As Andrew said, "Jackson is a man now. He peed on the side of the road." Gotta love my boys!
Jackson and Cullen had been really good on the 8+ hour car ride home. We were in the home stretch of the last hour when Jackson decided he needed to use the potty. I was driving in the middle of nowhere. We were about 10 minutes past a town and at least another 20 from the next. I generously broke the speed limit hoping to make it to a gas station or fast food place.
Five minutes later, Jackson started whining and saying he really needed to go. Andrew and I knew we weren't going to make it, so I pulled over on the side of the road.
Andrew hopped out and got Jackson out. He whipped his pants down and said, "Ok Jackson, pee in the grass." Jackson immediately started peeing on the side of the road. He was so excited! And ended it up with, "I did it!"
We got loaded back up and finished our long journey home. As Andrew said, "Jackson is a man now. He peed on the side of the road." Gotta love my boys!
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