I feel very blessed to have a husband that is truly an equal partner. We both work full time, and life can be pretty hectic. Andrew cooks, does dishes, laundry...you name it. We don't keep score, and we both pitch in whenever something needs to be done. I have never once had to ask him to help more around the house. And, it's definitely something that the kids see and recognize.
The other day, Andrew was going to be gone overnight at a conference, so I told Matthew, "You know, you are going to be the man of the house tonight. Daddy isn't going to be home tonight."
Matthew got a very serious look on his face, and says "I have to cook?" And follows up with, "That's OK, Mommy. I can cook for you if you need me to."
That one put a big smile on my face. Boy have the times changed! I'm glad to see that in the eyes of our kids, the roles of moms and dads are much less rigid and defined these days.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Return to the hospital
One day, about a week ago, we were in the car and the kids were being particularly obnoxious. They were fighting, and whining, and there was even some screaming. Andrew looks at me and says loudly, "well, I guess we should head to the hospital today and see if they will accept an exchange. They might have two other kids that we can take home that won't fight or whine when we ask them not to."
So, I play along for a little while until the kids start to get very nervous and upset that we might actually return them. At this point I realize that we might cause permanent damage that will require psychological counseling later on if we continue down this path. So, I explain that we are just joking and that we are not going to return them because we love them so much, even when they are misbehaving.
Fast forward to a couple of days ago...we're in the car on the way home from daycare, and Kayla is semi-crying in the car (she'd had a long day). Matthew starts talking about how she needs to go to the hospital and I can't figure out what the heck he is talking about. Finally, he says, "if she won't stop crying we are going to take her back for a new kid." Oh great. What did we start?
And now it's a source of great amusement for the kids because every time one of them is acting up in the car or at home, the other will shake their head and say, "I guess we are going to have to take you back to the hospital now." Or as Kayla says, "Ma-yoo, you go hostpal now." They think it's very funny when they say it to the other, but not so much when it is said to them.
So, I suppose you have to be careful what you start, as we seem to have given them a new way to bug the heck out of each other.
So, I play along for a little while until the kids start to get very nervous and upset that we might actually return them. At this point I realize that we might cause permanent damage that will require psychological counseling later on if we continue down this path. So, I explain that we are just joking and that we are not going to return them because we love them so much, even when they are misbehaving.
Fast forward to a couple of days ago...we're in the car on the way home from daycare, and Kayla is semi-crying in the car (she'd had a long day). Matthew starts talking about how she needs to go to the hospital and I can't figure out what the heck he is talking about. Finally, he says, "if she won't stop crying we are going to take her back for a new kid." Oh great. What did we start?
And now it's a source of great amusement for the kids because every time one of them is acting up in the car or at home, the other will shake their head and say, "I guess we are going to have to take you back to the hospital now." Or as Kayla says, "Ma-yoo, you go hostpal now." They think it's very funny when they say it to the other, but not so much when it is said to them.
So, I suppose you have to be careful what you start, as we seem to have given them a new way to bug the heck out of each other.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Last night Andrew and I went out for a date to the San Jose Improv. Eddie Griffin was performing - he was in the TV series Malcom & Eddie, and a bunch of movies, including Deuce Bigalow. We had so much fun! We usually go to dinner and movie, so it was great to mix it up a bit. Eddie was pretty funny, but he used the N-word and Mother F-er at least twice in every sentence. I'm not sensitive to that kind of stuff, but it does start to get a little confusing when every noun in a sentence is one of those two words. It was definitely something we will do again - laughter is really great for the soul.
A random funny... Tonight in the car we were talking about Star Wars with Matthew. He has tons of questions about everything in the movie, including "why is Chewbacca good?" and "why does Darth Vader talk funny," and so on. He's never seen the movie, and won't for a while but he loves to ask questions about all the movies he hasn't seen. Near the end of the conversation, Matthew says, "do you want to know which guys I like the best in the movie?" We say yes, and Matthew responds with, "the white guys." Andrew and I look at each other both thinking in our minds, "did our son just say a racist remark?" I mean, I like Han and Luke too, but not just because they're white! Then Matthew asks why the white guys wear masks, and then it hits us...ahhhh, he's talking about the storm troopers. Phew...that was a parental relief.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Full Blown Potty Training
After Kayla's success on the potty last week, we (her teachers and us) decided it was time to move to underwear. Kayla is so excited to be a big girl! We bought princess and Tinkerbell underwear for her, and she has been doing so great. She had two accidents the first day, one the next two days, and none yesterday. No poop in the pants either - only wet. She even is keeping dry at night with her overnight diaper, which is a shock to me. She wakes up in the night and wants to use the potty. The cynic in me is starting to get nervous that this is all going a little too well.
Funny thing about the youngest kid potty training...it makes me a little sad. With the first you're usually just eager to get one kid out of diapers, but with the second (most likely the last)...you just realize how very fast they are growing up.
Funny thing about the youngest kid potty training...it makes me a little sad. With the first you're usually just eager to get one kid out of diapers, but with the second (most likely the last)...you just realize how very fast they are growing up.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Potty Talk
Hallelujah! Kayla pooped in the potty last night for the first time. I'm not sure who was more excited...me or Kayla. Why would I be so excited by this you ask? Well, let's just say that potty training her brother Matthew was not easy. Actually, it was just plain difficult. So, I am thrilled that Kayla is making progress and more importantly is motivated. I actually have a very funny story about potty training Matthew, but I must warn those that are sensitive to potty talk to stop reading now.
So, Matthew had a lot of trouble learning to poop in the toilet. He hated it. He would wait until the last possible minute (sometimes holding it for multiple days), and then he would go to his room and poop in his pants. Not fun. Especially since the toilet is literally 5 feet from his room. We tried absolutely every technique known to man to try and motivate and encourage him, but nothing seemed to work. It was a frustrating time for us all.
Anyway, on weekends we would have Matthew run around naked. He couldn't poop in his underwear if he wasn't wearing any, right? Matthew hadn't gone for a few days, and this particular morning we knew a number 2 would be inevitable. Matthew went poop on the potty, and we were thrilled. But, remember how I said he would hold it for multiple days? That usually meant that when he finally got around to going, one poop for the day would not be enough.
Sure enough about 15 minutes later, Matthew got a very anxious look on his face, and made a little noise that meant he was really worried. Andrew and I exchange glances, and like the superhero that he is, Andrew grabs our son, lifts him up by the waist, and slings his body over his shoulders for the mad dash to the toilet. Keep in mind that Matthew is not wearing anything on his bottom half, which is pointing directly up to the ceiling as they make their way to the bathroom.
If you have ever seen a prairie dog poke its little head out of a hole in the ground, then you can visualize what happened next. Poop comes out of Matthew and plops on the hardwood floor in the hallway, just as Andrew is taking his next step. Andrew steps on the poop, does a Charlie Brown maneuver, and his feet fly out from under him. Luckily Matthew lands on top of Andrew, who unfortunately landed in the poop. It was like a perfectly choreographed scene in some hilariously gross movie. I still can't help but laugh out loud when I picture it. Luckily Andrew has a great sense of humor, too. I think the only one who wasn't laughing was Matthew. Poor guy.
Ah, the adventures of parenting...
So, Matthew had a lot of trouble learning to poop in the toilet. He hated it. He would wait until the last possible minute (sometimes holding it for multiple days), and then he would go to his room and poop in his pants. Not fun. Especially since the toilet is literally 5 feet from his room. We tried absolutely every technique known to man to try and motivate and encourage him, but nothing seemed to work. It was a frustrating time for us all.
Anyway, on weekends we would have Matthew run around naked. He couldn't poop in his underwear if he wasn't wearing any, right? Matthew hadn't gone for a few days, and this particular morning we knew a number 2 would be inevitable. Matthew went poop on the potty, and we were thrilled. But, remember how I said he would hold it for multiple days? That usually meant that when he finally got around to going, one poop for the day would not be enough.
Sure enough about 15 minutes later, Matthew got a very anxious look on his face, and made a little noise that meant he was really worried. Andrew and I exchange glances, and like the superhero that he is, Andrew grabs our son, lifts him up by the waist, and slings his body over his shoulders for the mad dash to the toilet. Keep in mind that Matthew is not wearing anything on his bottom half, which is pointing directly up to the ceiling as they make their way to the bathroom.
If you have ever seen a prairie dog poke its little head out of a hole in the ground, then you can visualize what happened next. Poop comes out of Matthew and plops on the hardwood floor in the hallway, just as Andrew is taking his next step. Andrew steps on the poop, does a Charlie Brown maneuver, and his feet fly out from under him. Luckily Matthew lands on top of Andrew, who unfortunately landed in the poop. It was like a perfectly choreographed scene in some hilariously gross movie. I still can't help but laugh out loud when I picture it. Luckily Andrew has a great sense of humor, too. I think the only one who wasn't laughing was Matthew. Poor guy.
Ah, the adventures of parenting...
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Walking With Dinosaurs
We saw Walking With Dinosaurs on Monday, and WOW! Very cool! If you've never heard of it check out http://www.dinosaurlive.com
If it comes to your area, you should see it.
Don't take your kids unless they are at least 4 though. Matthew had moments of sheer terror on his face during parts of it. Seriously, I've never seen the kid quite so scared. He almost got sick from fright. We had to "take a break" outside the arena doors and have a long talk about how the mechanics of how the dinosaurs were made, and how people are controlling them from inside the dinosaurs. I recommend seeing the "how it was made" special before you go to take away some of the fear for your kids.
Very cool show!
Stressful vacation?
So, I just poured myself a glass of wine here at 8:15 pm. The kids are finally in bed, and I just took a shower. Tonight is all about relaxation. The Duraflame is lit in the fireplace - yes that's right, the Welshes are all about the Duraflame log. So, why am I so excited about some relaxation? Because this "vacation" has been anything but!
I guess I thought, no...I guess I hoped that this 2 week vacation that I am on would be relaxing. A time to unwind and spend fun time with the family. But, the Holidays are a crazy time and it took a few days to get ready for those. Then after Christmas, it took a few days to get the toys put away and get the house organized. Now it is almost New Year's and my vacation is coming to a close, and I'm totally and completely exhausted!
Our kids are great, but my God I'm sick of being their referee. I swear they are growing because they are constantly asking for food (even though they both just out-ate me at breakfast, and it's only been one hour since). I tried to read today and I was bombarded by questions and requests and the need to break up fights. Uggggh! I might be going a little bit crazy.
And to top it off, I decided to get a free 7-day trial at 24-hour fitness because I thought this would be the perfect week to get some free workout time in. But I haven't gone yet because there is no time, and they call us every day to ask us when we are going to come in and activate our free pass. Leave me alone already! I wish I could come in, believe me!
So anyway, enough of the pity party. Life is great and I'm happy to be here. Perhaps the wine is starting to kick in?
Christmas was great fun. The kids got way too much stuff as usual. Santa brought Matthew a train and he was just thrilled (even though it was a steam engine and not a diesel, it was still "just what he wanted"). Kayla got a tricycle from Santa. Andrew and I got a new MacBook, which I am typing on as we speak, and we finally went wireless in our house. I also got a new iPod nano - red, of course. We spent Christmas at my parents house, and the Kansas relatives were here. We've been to the zoo. Lots of fun.
I managed to sell my rug on Craigslist today - see previous post for some background.
We're gearing up for 2009, which promises a ton of fun vacations already planned. Can't wait for those! Disneyland, Phoenix, the Outer Banks, and Mexico. Perhaps they will provide some relaxation.... Who am I kidding? Travel with kids is never relaxing. But at least one of them will be with dear friends who I dearly miss.
The wine is definitely helping...I've decided that I need to schedule a massage and facial for Friday.
Happy New Year to you all. I hope you have a wonderful, safe, and healthy 2009!
Friday, December 19, 2008
An interesting morning...
Kayla is going through a major independent streak lately. She is almost two and a half, and wants to do everything herself. You can't touch her when she's getting dressed, because she wants to do it herself. It has progressed this week to us not even being allowed to watch her get dressed. As a side note, she is actually doing quite well dressing herself, although she occasionally needs help with getting a shirt off or finding an arm hole.
This morning was no different, she practically yelled at me to get out of her room (a preview of the teenage years to come?) so she could dress herself, and she shut the door behind me. A few minutes pass, and I start to hear some whining coming from the room. This is usually followed by, "Mommy, I need help," but this morning the whining just continued. I thought, "good, she's going to keep trying and not give up - an admirable trait." I decide I'll poke my head into her room to see how she's doing.
I open the door and see Kayla struggling to get her shirt off, with no pants and no diaper on ... and I smell poop. Getting nervous now, I ask Kayla, "did you poop?" and she says yes. My next question is, "where is the poop?" She tells me it is on her diaper, which is sitting over on the floor. I take a closer look, and sure enough there is a log of poop on top of her diaper - not IN the diaper mind you. A pit starts to form in my stomach as I realize this can only end badly. "Kayla, how did the poop get there?" She replies, "I poop my hand." Dear God no.
A major clean up effort ensues, including a ton of questions to try and determine where to focus my cleaning efforts. Did she poop on top of the diaper? Did she poop on the rug that I'm trying to sell this week on Craigslist and then pick it up? Or, did she poop on the hardwood floor and then carry it over to the diaper? Or, did she simply use her hands like a catcher's mitt? The answer to all of these questions was "yes," so it remains a mystery. A horrible disgusting mystery. I did the best I could cleaning the entire room, but only Kayla knows how things really went down in there with the poop.
This morning was no different, she practically yelled at me to get out of her room (a preview of the teenage years to come?) so she could dress herself, and she shut the door behind me. A few minutes pass, and I start to hear some whining coming from the room. This is usually followed by, "Mommy, I need help," but this morning the whining just continued. I thought, "good, she's going to keep trying and not give up - an admirable trait." I decide I'll poke my head into her room to see how she's doing.
I open the door and see Kayla struggling to get her shirt off, with no pants and no diaper on ... and I smell poop. Getting nervous now, I ask Kayla, "did you poop?" and she says yes. My next question is, "where is the poop?" She tells me it is on her diaper, which is sitting over on the floor. I take a closer look, and sure enough there is a log of poop on top of her diaper - not IN the diaper mind you. A pit starts to form in my stomach as I realize this can only end badly. "Kayla, how did the poop get there?" She replies, "I poop my hand." Dear God no.
A major clean up effort ensues, including a ton of questions to try and determine where to focus my cleaning efforts. Did she poop on top of the diaper? Did she poop on the rug that I'm trying to sell this week on Craigslist and then pick it up? Or, did she poop on the hardwood floor and then carry it over to the diaper? Or, did she simply use her hands like a catcher's mitt? The answer to all of these questions was "yes," so it remains a mystery. A horrible disgusting mystery. I did the best I could cleaning the entire room, but only Kayla knows how things really went down in there with the poop.
Monday, December 8, 2008
An unexpected visit
This weekend we had a wonderful surprise! We got a text message late Friday night from our very good friends in Colorado asking if we had plans on Saturday and if we wanted visitors. We've known Nikki and Mike Zeman since college. Nikki and I were sorority sisters at CU, and Mike went to the Air Force Academy. Mike is now a pilot with Southwest Airlines, and had a long stop over in San Jose Saturday night. He convinced Nikki and their two boys to come out for a visit as well. We get to see them once or twice a year if we are lucky, so we were thrilled at the idea of having them come for a visit.
We had so much fun! Matthew was so excited to have two boys to play with, and they all slept on the floor in his room (until Cooper woke up screaming, but that's another story). Kayla was very excited to see Mr. Mike again (who she latched onto at our last get together at Disneyland). The adults stayed up very late enjoying beverages and several rounds of Catch Phrase. And wouldn't you know it, the kids got up VERY early. One of the Zeman boys thought he was still on Colorado time and decided to wake up at 4:45am, and the rest of the kids followed shortly thereafter. Yikes! Four hours of sleep was not nearly enough for me.
It often feels like our lives are so rushed, and our weekends can be filled with mundane chores and activities just to try and catch up. It was such a breath of fresh air to have those things thrown out and replaced with great friends and laughter. Life is short and we have to take advantage of those opportunities whenever we can. I'm looking at my to do list today thinking, "my God, I got nothing done this weekend." But I wouldn't trade it for the world...good times spent with great friends is priceless.
We had so much fun! Matthew was so excited to have two boys to play with, and they all slept on the floor in his room (until Cooper woke up screaming, but that's another story). Kayla was very excited to see Mr. Mike again (who she latched onto at our last get together at Disneyland). The adults stayed up very late enjoying beverages and several rounds of Catch Phrase. And wouldn't you know it, the kids got up VERY early. One of the Zeman boys thought he was still on Colorado time and decided to wake up at 4:45am, and the rest of the kids followed shortly thereafter. Yikes! Four hours of sleep was not nearly enough for me.
It often feels like our lives are so rushed, and our weekends can be filled with mundane chores and activities just to try and catch up. It was such a breath of fresh air to have those things thrown out and replaced with great friends and laughter. Life is short and we have to take advantage of those opportunities whenever we can. I'm looking at my to do list today thinking, "my God, I got nothing done this weekend." But I wouldn't trade it for the world...good times spent with great friends is priceless.
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