August Ponderings

For those of you who need your fix, here are Tiger tales from this week:

"Paugie was born in the ambulance. Taco (Lochlan), Hun-Hun and I were born in the hospital." Mommy: "I think Hun-Hun was born in a factory." "No, Mommy, Hun-Hun was born with me at the hospital." Naturally.
As I was giving the "little boys" a bath, side by side in the kitchen sink, Madigan assisted in washing their hair. He patted Lochlan's head and said, "We are making memories my sweet brother." Can he be for real?
As we left the grocery store last Monday, Madigan turned around in the stroller and SHOUTED: "Goodbye my friends!" Touching. And slightly awkward. :-)
After putting the smaller men down for their naps one afternoon, Madigan slid next to me on the couch, placed his paw on my arm and said, "Mommy, would you like to have tea together?" Dear boy, how could I say no?
"Mommy, what happened to the sunflowers?" "They died." Pause. "But Mommy, they don't have batteries! They didn't die." We still have a few things to learn in this life.
We took Daddy to the park this morning (you know how restless he gets when he doesn't get his outdoor time!), so that Madigan could prove his climbing wall skills. After we had departed from the park, however, the Tiger realized that he had forgotten to swing whilst at the park; a thorough meltdown ensued. When the wretched mother refused to return to the park, Madigan looked at Declan and said, "Paugie, we're ruined!". The drama may be hereditary.

Paugie has been taking time to "chill out" (in the refrigerator) on these balmy August days. We can be frequently heard calling out: "Paugie, please get out of the refrigerator." This little man has one of the most grateful hearts I have ever seen. He faithfully says: "Thank you Ma!", or "Thank you, Da", followed by one of his mesmerizing smiles. He loves to read with me at night, while Daddy is playing with the Tiger in the front room. He is very particular about where I should sit, where he should sit, and which blanket should be involved in the process.

Lochlan is the happiest guy in town, while simultaneously running for the record of "man who sleeps least in this world". An impressive feat to be sure, but he is a truly remarkable boy (as I have always said) and is indeed accomplishing both successfully! His smile brightens up the world around him, no matter where in that world he happens to be. He still loves to be hunkered down in my hip-pack, which makes for a lot more convenient outings during the week. Then, I have only 2 critters to corral at any given moment!

We made 24 quarts of organic applesauce this week. The project seemed to take the entire week long, but I think it actually only took about 6 hours total. The results were inspiring!

And Mommy's accomplishments for this week? 6 loads of laundry washed, line dried (still don't have a functioning dryer), folded AND put away by Friday evening. I'm counting it all as victory!

Man on the fly!

Can you tell I love my big brother?!

I mean, they just LOVE each other!

Happytown!

Paugie, Chillin' Out.

Preparing to "chill out"

Rainy day snuggle bugs.

Wetter is better

Paugie has a passionate love of rain. He is boy wired after his mommy's own heart! If it's raining, he comes to grab my hand and waves for me to look outside. He says, "Rain, Rain!" If there is no eminent risk of thunder and lightning, I usually acquiesce, much to his delight. He is most thoroughly delighted when I join him to splash in the puddles, but he is quite content to just bask in the drops himself.

One of Kris' and my first dates at Bryan College was one evening when Kris asked me put my "rain gear" on and join him for a walk in the rain. I waltzed out the door in my rain coat and rain boots only to find a very wet boy/man in shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops: his idea of rain gear. He converted me to his understanding part way through our jont by hoisting me into a VERY large puddle, rendering my rain boots and rain coat utterly useless. Alas, our perspective of appropriate rain attire/activities appears to be genetic.

Propulsion Part III

It is with entirely too much propulsion that we have approached the second birthday of our "Paugie Boy". I have reflected a great deal this week on the incredible person that this little man has been/is/is becoming. So full of (his own) perspective, assured in his opinions on every matter, passionate in his expression and consistently thoughtful - and all this behind those honey brown curls and sparkling eyes.

This spectacular person touches the heart of everyone he knows or meets. His extraordinary attention to detail(s) gives him insight into the emotions/feelings of others and he cares deeply about other people (starting with his brothers), which is something I know to be unique. He is often misunderstood, usually because his verbal communication has been misunderstood, but often because his reasoning is (simply) complicated. His frustrations often make perfect sense if we take the time to understand them/hear him out. And sometimes they are simply the rants of a 2 year old with a will of iron. :-)

This boy adores his brothers! This morning when he saw Lochlan, he ran to him, wrapped his arms around him in a rough smother and kissed him abruptly on his face. Lochlan has grown accustomed to these "tender" moments, and his whole face breaks into a happy grin. Declan looks to Madigan for many cues, though, being the independent thinker that he is, he is highly motivated to branch into his own fields of exploration/experimentation. When given a direct admonishment/order, he creatively works the possible angles available to him and certainly is disinclined to acquiesce to any particular request without first exploring alternative options. 

A WWII veteran (according to the cap he was wearing) was standing in line behind me at Costco last week and Declan started talking to him. The mostly-deaf hero was clearly enjoying every minute of the interaction and when he looked at me, his eyes had small tears. He said, "that is a very happy boy right there. His whole face says so." When I thanked the veteran for his service, Declan chimed in, "Hee hee!" When I translated Declan's sentiment to our new friend, I could tell that a not-quite-2-year-old boy had left his mark on the heart of an old soldier.

I thank my God, daily, for this marvelous person who has shown me the beauty of tender affection, quiet moments of just being together (with a cup of warm milk and favorite blanket, of course), and heartfelt joy in the "little things". I know the past 2 years are reflective of what is to come as this little man becomes all that he is destined to be... and that brings me great delight.

 

Propulsion Part II

Life passes with continued propulsion these days, and I find myself trying desperately to savor EACH special moment, capture it, store it away for future reflection. Alas, it is but bits and pieces that I actually end up restoring to my memory at the end of the day. Somehow that doesn't dim the wonder of sharing my life with these little men and when my day does finally slow (at least theoretically) I realize joy - deep joy - at the constant state of learning I find myself in, by watching, knowing and loving them, each one.

Lochlan, the Happytown, has been mesmerizing me with his little tender moments splattered throughout the day. It's the snuggle against my chest whenever I pick him up, the smile that erupts when we call his name or sing his "happytown song", the slobbery-teeth-filled kisses all over my chin when I lean in to kiss him, the army crawl across the floor to get to whatever room "his people" are in (a complicated task with two big brothers always in a flurry of action from one room to the next), the way he just wants to be held close - it is the fastest way to soothe any anxiety or pain.

He is daily becoming more skilled. He has mastered the art of feeding himself and is quite adept at it! I gave him a pancake this morning, and when he was finished we discovered that only 2 small pieces had escaped his chubby grasp toward the mouth. Good work son! Today, I read him a few stories and he aggressively reached forward for me to turn the pages, obviously excited about what was next. He is NOT A FAN of the stroller. So to the hipster pack we go for every family outing. When he's in the pack, I consistently find myself playing with his ears when I'm thinking, or just distracted, and he doesn't mind. He must realize it's an expression of endearment. Tonight, Daddy was running around the house with him in his arms, chasing the big brothers as fast as they could go. Lochlan waved his hands when he wanted Daddy to go and when they stopped to tickle this boy or that, Lochlan would reach out (for hair or whatever he could grab) and giggle. If only Daddy had a little more stamina, I could have watched this all night! :-)

Even though his teeth are making him immeasurably miserable, he continues to be our constant source of delight and I tell him each day that God knew this world needed more light, so he created Lochlan to fill it with joy.

Propulsion

With trepidation and anticipation, I look at these three little men in our lives and watch their minds explore, absorb and develop. Example A (hint: he's really handsome):

As we inched our way down a steep trail in the rain, I reminded Madigan to slow down lest we both make a hasty decent we did not intend; "Careful peanut... you're pulling hard." He quickly agreed: "Yes, Mommy. I'm pulling you with propulsion". My thoughts exactly... and how Mr. 3 year old do you even know that word???

"Mommy, you're a really good cooker." Announcement following a tasting session by the kitchen staff this evening. My heart is still in a puddle on the kitchen floor.


Through tears, my sweet Tiger assured me that Paugie didn't intend to hurt him: "It was an accident, Mommy. Paugie bashed and crashed into my head but it wasn't his fault. He's a kind brother." And he was right...

"Mommy, are you going to save Lochlan?" Considering how he views naptime, his perspective of my responsibility (instant response) when the brothers awaken from that which we don't speak of, makes sense!

As I attempted a nap this afternoon (living the dream, so to speak), a frisky, wiggly tiger climbed in next to me. I asked him if he was done playing with his trains and he looked at me intently before answering: "I think we need to cuddle. Will you please hold me close, Mommy?"  He didn't have to ask twice.

There often seems to be a disconnect between the little man's physical activities and the happenings of his mind. His mind can be completely absorbed in something (and I do mean completely), but he may be simultaneously de-stuffing a couch, remodeling a room, cleaning a surface, etc. Just things you would expect from a man of (constant) action. :-) 

Example B and Example C to follow in future posts... wait for it!

Good food for on-the-go men (and women, I suppose)

Today, I was waiting to get my truck wired to pull the horse trailer, when the owner of the company stopped by the truck to chat with the boys. He looked at me, with a long pause, and said, "don't let a minute of this get away from you. My three boys are now 31, 33 and 35 years old and I still come home and wish I heard the chatter of those little voices all about the house." He's right... and I know it. My treasure: the time I am given to help guide these little men into the fullness of who they are, nourish their hearts, build strength into their character.

And a little great food goes a long way into this process as well! So here are some quick recipes I've made recently, which I think you will enjoy. 

Banana Pancakes:
2 bananas
4 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Mash banana first, then beat in the eggs and add the cinnamon. I pour 1/4 cup batter at a time onto the griddle, on 350 degrees. They take longer to cook than traditional pancakes, so be warned. We top with maple syrup (of course). :-) 

To-go Bars: (great for any outing or just a morning, elevenzies, onezies and late afternoon snack time)
1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
1/2 shredded coconut (not sweetened)
3 Tablespoons honey (you can use finely ground dates, as a substitute if you prefer)
3 cups oats (grind 1/2 of the portion into flour texture)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup semi-sweetened chocolate chips (optional)
1/4 cup raisins (optional)

Spread onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, or until firm and starting to turn golden. Cut into bars, place in ziplock bags and store in the fridge or freezer until use.

Pumpkin Chai Pancakes: (yes, we love pancakes)
1/4 cup butter or coconut oil, melted
3 Tablespoons honey
1.5 cups oat flour (finely ground oats)
1 cup almond flour
3 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon each of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves 1/4 cup canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla 
milk (just add until it's the right consistency to pour as pancakes)

Pour into pancakes on griddle and cook at 350 degrees.

Melted Cheese Happiness: 
Place 1-2 Tablespoons grated cheese into a small pile on a very lightly greased cookie sheet. Make several piles if you don't want to be totally selfish and just make one for yourself. Place in the oven to broil, but WATCH CAREFULLY! When they turn golden brown on the top, they're ready. Wait for them to cool slightly, as they will become crispy and YUMMY!

We all love snack time!

More goodness from the peanut gallery

"Madigan, do you want to make some cookies?" "Yes, Mommy, but can we make them for everybody?" That little servant-heart... brings so much joy!
"Paugie, you are comical!" Where did 'comical' enter our 3-year-old- vocabulary collection? Not sure, but he used it correctly and knew what it meant. Tigers rock!
Madigan's explanation  as to why there was a pancake resting on his pillow at bedtime: "'Sweet Helper' [I do refer to him as such, when he's being a particularly helpful man around the house] is stuffed, but he's taking a pancake to bed in case he gets hungry later." A simple narrative of events in a man's life.
"Mommy, here's your hair tie! You left it on your last visit." When I was in town last.
"I will watch one Curious George before the day's end." Who am I to argue? 
"Baby Wochwan, I wish you knew how much I wuv you." The statement alone would have been sufficient, but stroking baby brother's head simultaneously really did it for me.

I love strong(willed) men, among other things.

Madigan awoke (way too) bright and early on Father's Day, because he was so completely out-of-his-mind excited to make breakfast for his daddy. He made pumpkin muffins, eggs and coffee and outside of some guidance on specific proportions/ingredients he did it solo! I was so proud of him and he was so proud of himself. And Daddy was an enthusiastic recipient of the goodness.

We had a little "Battle of the Will(s)" - as in Declan WILLiam. Little toot was throwing a tantrum when I put him in his high chair to poison feed him. He took a handful of his strawberries, looked up at me hatefully and smacked them into my cheek with a thorough slap. I wiped my cheek, put on a movie for Madigan, placed Lochlan on the floor with a plethora of toys to entertain him and glanced over to see Declan watching curiously while continuing to squeal in anger. I removed him from his entrapment (high chair) and migrated, along with a tray of strawberries, to the sofa. Once he was placed securely in my lap the battle ensued. I held him close enough to keep his arms and legs from reaching their intended target (any part of me) and gently kept reminding him that as soon as he was willing to calm down and try one bite of the strawberries he had been so ugly about, I would happily put him down and be on my merry way. Two hours later (seriously) he sighed and reached for a strawberry. He enjoyed it so much that he ate every strawberry on that tray! He was a winner, in his own way - he seemed to see it that way too and was all smiles and happiness following our altercation.

My blue-eyed boy... aside from being the happiest guy in town, he is also rather intuitive (dang it!). This morning, after going to bed too late last night (my fault) and waking up several times throughout the night (thank you baby teeth), I was less than gracious when he awoke at 6:00am. I think it was both the look on my face and my relative silence (we usually oooh and ahhh over him rather rambunctiously when we get to see his face each day); he burst into tears and was almost inconsolable. I quickly adjusted my attitude, showered him with kisses and made sure he could see my smile in the dimly lit room. I assured him that every minute with him is a minute I cherish and his happiness came storming back. He ate some breakfast and then cheerfully went back to sleep. When I went to get him later on, he reached for my face and plastered me with slobbery open-mouthed baby kisses. I have a lot to learn from this little person. 

And the latest from Tiger tales:
Upon finding Madigan's battery operated truck submerged in the kitchen sink, I was given this explanation: "Mommy, my truck is now clean and fluffy." Interesting perspective.
"Mommy, we need to call the fire department because I'm going to watch a movie." Not sure what the Tiger's planning on watching, but this should be interesting.
"I'm so hungry. Paugie, nothing could be worse." Conversation I overheard in the living room this afternoon. My poor starving Tiger.

We did a little science experiment today to try to help the Tiger understand that some things dissolve in water and some things don't.  We discovered that cinnamon and pepper do not disappear but that sugar, honey and salt all disappear when mixed in water well. He couldn't believe that the sugar was "gone" but the water still tasted great!

Cooking Master

A lil' bit proud of his handiwork.

You're never REALLY too big, right?

There it is: A Pauge Face

Blue Eyes

He looks like his Grandpa Murie.

Did somebody say happy?

Yep!

Those lil' brothers

They love each other!

a lot!

Science experiment #1

Science experiment #2

Science experiment participants

Eee-Hee Ma

It's Pauge-speak for "Thank you, Mommy". It has become the preferred method for showing appreciation around here and Paugie seems rather flattered when his brother mimics him by using it. And yes, I kinda' love it.

The photos below are unremarkable, except that they mark this day, which was lived well. The big brothers "washed" some of their toys and a good bit of the kitchen in the process. I waded in after a while to help them close down shop.

Happytown smiled, and then smiled some more. He cut 3 teeth over the past week and today I think the strain of it all finally caught up to him, so I held him in the baby pack up close to me all day. Tonight, he was not on board with putting himself to sleep, so I just laid him on the bed next to me. He snuggled in as close as he could get, grabbed my finger to hold tightly and was fast asleep. Only then was I able to place him in his own bed. He's too precious for words.

Paugie was in a cuddle mood today, too (must be something in the air!) and followed me around with blankie in hand and thumb in mouth. When I asked him what he needed, he pulled me over to the couch. I laid him down and covered him with his blankie, holding him close. He gave a little whimper and I knew my mission was accomplished. Tonight he and his hardy broom were doing a team project on house re-arranging cleaning (hence the overwhelming volume of Paugie photos below).

And the latest from Tiger:
"Daddy, you need to get dressed because we're goin' to Ankie Tae's house."
"Madigan, Ankie Tae is in Scotland, so we can't go see her at her house."
Pause... "Daddy you need to get dressed because we need to fly to Scotland." He was a faithful assistant in helping me de-fur the Great White Dog - chore of the century! Maybe our dust/hair bunnies will stop cantering about the house now? Tomorrow morning Madigan has big plans for telling his Daddy how much he adores him. More on that later...