Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Grapes and sour cream

As we neared bedtime, Madigan sat next to me and stated: "Mommy, the clocks in our house have gone crazy." "What do you mean, little man?" "The clocks have gone crazy, and now the adults are telling us it's bedtime." Obviously, insanity is responsible for all slumber (in a Tiger's world). 
When our hike turned out to be slightly shorter than anticipated, Madigan confirmed: "Mommy, our hike was supposed to be 7 degrees, but we only went 5 degrees." Clearly, we fell short. 
"Mommy, I'm going to give you all of my love for Christmas." I'll take it, my dear boy. 
"Mommy, I would like you to come here and spend this time with me." I'm all yours. 



It is 10:30pm and my beloved Jevy is curled up in the chair with me; he's contributing to this blog entry, using his toes. And now they're in his mouth. And now they're behind his head. And now he's upside-down. And now he's making this snuggle a full body experience - he's draped across me with his head buried into my neck. Time to pause and get some quality (Jevy)bug time. I'm back. He has snatched my phone and is saying, "Huwo! I wu you!" (Hello, I love you!). Every night this happy little introvert gets his quality time with Mommy and Daddy after those bros are in their beds - it's his nightly walk-about. A hearty chuckle here, snuggle there, snack on the run and possibly a little quiet book time in the corner of the room and the boy is finally ready for bed. 


 
"Paugie, what would you like for breakfast?" "Grapes with sour cream!" Yum? 
Translation: Crepes with whipping cream. 
"Mommy, look, a chai!" I'm entirely to blame. 
Translation: "Mommy, look, it's Starbucks!" 
"Mommy, the baby Cray-Cray is not Cray-Cray." 
Translation: "Mommy, what is the name of that small dog?" 
"Mommy, look, it's a purple light! Stop!" 
Translation: "Mommy, it's a red light! Stop!" 
"Paugie, I love you." "Mommy, why not?" 
Translation: "Paugie, I love you." "Mommy, why?" (Because you're unbelievably impossible not to love with all my heart.) 
"Please kiss it. It's broken"
Translation:  "I hurt myself (somehow) and only Mommy's kiss can make it better." 
"Mommy, let's snuggle. I need to love you."
No translation needed. 



My Kelto Shmelto, you live to (Sh)melt the hearts of everyone you meet. Your happy dance in the crib is one of best reasons to face the day. Your smile is as reliable as dawn is to each morning. How can one person complain so little and be content with all of life? The joy you bring into my life is incomprehensible - truly. Watching you practice moving forward like a clever little inch worm is such a delight. I see a power crawl very near in your future. Your fluffy thighs have rendered you the additional names: "Chunkerton" and "Thightastic". You're a hunk of everything that is wonderful. 



Four little men: I am blessed to be your mom, and that honor is something I treasure in the deepest part of my heart. 

Friday, October 10, 2014

Number three is two.

The pouring rain has done nothing to dampen our excitement about this day; we are celebrating two years since the arrival of Happytown into our lives. This beloved critter is such a complex combination of sheer joy, deep (and often quiet) reflection, bursts of hearty laughter, toddler yammering, elastic ligaments, and tummy patting. He loves (his mama) fiercely, wrapping his chubby paws around my neck and throwing himself against me, begging me to wrestle him to the floor in a furry of kisses. He paces around the kitchen in the evening, waiting for Daddy to come in (from work) and chase him around the house; his face breaks into a huge smile when he sees Daddy and he takes off running, taunting Daddy to "catch me if you can". He likes things quiet - gives a man time to think. He loves his brothers, and he laughs as they body tackle one another around the house (living with boys - it's a whole different world from the one I grew up in!). He does not like to have his will thwarted (hello human nature) and when a toy is hastily stolen, he doth protest! He loves his (goat) milk (man's best friend), his stuffed horse, his fluffy purple blanket and his cheerios. He is my thinker and he reminds me every day why it is important to pause, be still and watch what is happening around me. His quiet, gentle nature is full of so many wonderful surprises, but I have to look up and see, wait and listen or I will miss the incredible moments entirely. 

He has always been soft and cuddly. 

So much love awaiting him when we came home from the hospital.

The little brother. 

Happytown! 

Loving some kisses. 

The doting big brother - always. 

I can "bear"ly stand how cute you are. 
Kitchen staff extraordinaire! 

Daddy loves this boy! 

Too much yummy in that pot of water! 

My outdoor boy, savoring the raindrops starting to fall...

       What are you thinking about, Mr. Contemplative? 

Gosh, I love him. 

He looks so much like his Grandpa Murie here; makes me smile.

Mom, the rain's comin'! 

Happy Boy! 


Monday, October 06, 2014

Shipbound for Norfolk

We're headed to Norfolk this afternoon. We exchanged our house for a ship and when I awoke this morning the Captain (Madigan) informed me that we were en route to Virginia where we are scheduled to deliver the shipping containers we have on board. I have been designated as the ship's first mate, so if you have any concerns, please address them to me and I will ensure that the Captain is informed. 

Just left the galley where we ate a hearty lunch, and then walked to the ship's deck to check the horizon (not sure what we were looking for, but we did see dolphins and waves). We checked the ropes while we were out there to make sure we're all ready to tie off once we arrive in the harbor tomorrow (looks like another night on board tonight). The Captain checked the engine room (which used to be the front of our house - amazing transformation) to make sure everything was running smoothly - Check. The passengers are a bunch of whiners, and we're having some trouble keeping them all content and satisfied, but we're doing our best. Seasickness might be starting to settle in; here's to smooth sailing. We'll keep you abridged of our progress.

And in other news... 
In Paugieland everything is purple, or should be. That (red) stop sign? It's actually purple. The (only) cup/plate to use during mealtime? The purple one. The color of the fall leaves on the trees? Yep, you're right: purple. Devany might be the only purple horse in the world; told you she was a gem! Paugie has been my primary helper in training Devany (including some recent lessons on trailering).



Jevy has become renowned for his general "limberocity". It's positively intimidating! When he's listening to a story or watching a movie, he can most often be found upside-down, or sitting on the floor with his legs curled (in front of him) all the way up around the back of his head. It doesn't look humanly possible, but I can assure you that it is not only possible, but preferable. And if you can suck on your toes, why wouldn't you?



The boys and I have been hiking a few times a week, and I have been astounded at how far these little legs are willing to go (happily). Jevy has walked 3/4 mile and the big boys have walked up to 1.5 miles. I think that's pretty impressive! The last couple of times we've gone out, we've seen up close: deer (including a late-season spotted fawn), a beaver, turtles, ducks and a great horned owl.

Shmelty Caleb? Charming as ever! He isn't (technically) crawling yet, but that doesn't mean he can't get places. If I lay him in the middle of the living room, within 5 minutes he has usually worked his way to the kitchen and he has done it all backwards! He scoots backwards on his tummy until he arrives where he needs to go (or possibly not where he intended, but somewhere, indeed). He is a vivacious person and his eyes never stop smiling, even when he's fussing. Best baby ever!!!

This is what greets me every morning.


While Kelto was sleeping this afternoon, we did a little photo shoot. Paugie kind of dominated because he had his charm turned on... it's a little bit ridiculous!













Saturday, October 04, 2014

Dad blasted

I wish the days with these Mr. Awesome(s) weren't fleeting by so quickly. Can I please count them a little slower, savor them longer, review them to make sure I haven't missed any (incredible) details? Today - another to treasure closely - I really want to remember. The details, I mean. The meander through the corn maze (which was electric from the excitement in the ranks), the delighted toddling of the toddler, and curious eyes peaking out from underneath the tiny hat, watching the big bros every move with utter fascination... all of it. The smell of Autumn is upon us (again) and the cool air has brought with it a heap of energy (as if we had a deficit) and more is observed (and understood) than in previous years (to watch maturity unfold is kind of magical). The trees exchanging their green for red/gold/yellow/brown, the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, the increase in Mommy's chai craving (it's always worse when the weather is suggestive that summer is finally past), the hyper (and, hence, often unruly) Scottish Terrier, and the beckoning of the crisp air to come outdoors - my Tiger sees everything this year. Sharing these "unspoken" delights with him shows me how I will survive (and enjoy!) watching them grow into the men they will become and out of the babies I wish they would stay.

And speaking of 4 year olds - his latest experiment is to use "dad blasted" in appropriate context as frequently as possible throughout the day, with dramatic inflection included. I might be to blame for that particular vocabulary addition. Argh. 

Yummy. 

Follow that (handsome) critter... 

Mr. Awesome, Season IV

Aren't they a"maze"ing?!!! 

"This is your mission, should you choose to accept."

"Don't be jealous, just because I have awesome shoes."

Farm boy, loving every minute! 


(self) Posing already? We're in trouble!

Real corn! Found in a (corn) maze!