What if & Day 103. 262 Days Left.

Their room looked like this

Mommy: Addison help mommy clean-up so we can get ready for a nap.
Addison: I can’t clean-up mommy. I don’t know how.
Mommy: So what do you know how to do?
Addison: thinking… Make a mess.

So this got me thinking...

•What if I didn't pick the shoes off the floor that almost just barely made it away?

•What if I didn't put away the 4 ½ pairs of socks that Addison someone likes to wear on her hands & feet and leaves on the back balcony?

•What if I didn't wipe the ginormous crumbs off the table that somehow fell off someone's plate?

•What if I didn't wipe the crunchies off the dining room chairs; you know the ones nobody else seems to mind sitting on?

•What if I didn't scoop up the random pile of blocks and Littlest Pet Shops that were left on the living roon floor before vaccuming?

•What if I didn’t vacuum the fur-ball tumbleweeds that blow around
the house?

•What if I didn't clear the two dozen Toy Story Friends from behind the sofa pillows?

•What if I didn't re-straighten the pillows and blankets haphazardly strewn across the couch?

•What if I didn't put the step stool back where it belongs, instead of in the middle of the hallway floor?

•What if I didn't wipe the nasty glob of toothpaste off the countertop and inside the sink ... right next to the sticky hand print smears on the mirror?

•What if I didn't hang up the sodden towels on the very available towel racks?

•What if I didn't gather and throw into the trash all the semi-used Kleenex from every corner of the house?

•What if I didn't toss the dirty undies in the washer and dispose of the wet overnight pull-ups lying on the floor?

•What if I didn't re-shelve the books that have escaped the bookshelf?

•What if I didn’t wipe down the chocolate milk splattered walls and mop the juice spots off the white tile floors?

•What if I didn’t wipe up the ten piles of cat vomit my precious pests pets are kind enough to leave for me every morning?

•What if I didn’t actually put the bathtoys away? After all, I went out (per hubby request- he gives the nightly bath) and purchased a toy net for that very reason.

maybe I should have had him read the instructions for use.


What if? What if? What if?

It is very likely, if I did not do these things, the house would appear on an episode of Hoarders…

But maybe… just maybe, I am not giving my family enough credit and perhaps I am missing out on some very teachable opportunities. All too often, I don't give them enough chances to prove they can be responsible. I think that it's just easier for me to pick up the socks, toys, dirty clothes and books rather than setting that responsibility back on very small yet able shoulders. In reality, it's a disservice to them for me to continue to clean up after them. Therefore, it is time they start doing some things for themselves, it is time for them to learn how to do something other than just "make a mess", especially since they are fully capable.

Send a search party to my house if in a week you don’t hear from me.
___________________________________________________________
Day 103
Just another toddler mess

Toddler Talk Thursday & Day 102. 263 Days Left.

It’s no surprise kids’ say the funniest things, and what comes out of the mouth’s of toddlers is often hysterical and sometimes downright pee your pants funny! When what they say isn’t humorous, their words can melt your heart. To help make sure I never forget these little toddler quips and because they make me smile, I have decided to share them in a weekly post called “Toddler Talk Thursday.”

While reading a story in the Big Brown Chair...

Addison: Mommy why do we talk to God?

Mommy: We talk to God to thank him for everything he has giving us like you, Jackson, mommy, daddy and all our family and friends.

Addison: Like my Toy Story friends?

Mommy: Well, you can thank God for giving you mommy and daddy who buy your Toy Story Friends.

Addison: 'En what else do you say?

Mommy: We ask God for forgiveness.

Addison: What’s or-given-ness?

Mommy: forgiveness. When we tell God we are sorry for something naughty we have done.

Addison: Like when I hit Jackson?

Mommy: Exactly, like when you hit Jackson.

Addison: (thinking)… So I don’t have to tell you when I hit Jackson I tell God?

Mommy: Well yes and no. You have to tell mommy but you can also tell God.

Addison: But Mommy you yell at me and God doesn’t.

What are your toddlers saying?
___________________________________________________________
Day 102
Welcome Buzz & Stretch to the Toy Story Crew

He who does not speak & Day 101. 264 Days Left.

My adorable little Bubba Jackson— that tubby, huggy, lovable, blue-eyed, oh-so-stubborn 19–month-old of mine. He jabbers all day that unintelligible jibber-jabber of a one year old, complete with hand gestures and voice inflections but only says about five “real” words. None of which anyone else can understand and none of which are “mama”. In fact, the more I try to get him to say a word- especially mama- the farther his little chin juts out in a try-and-make-me defiance. He will take off in a 2-minute babble of Jackson-Speak, finish, look at me awaiting a response and when I say “yes Jackson, whatever you say” or “oh, really?” he will laugh hysterically. There is no telling what I am agreeing to. He is probably saying "Hey mom, when I am 16, will you buy me a motorcycle? Oh, and I plan on driving down to South Miami to get tattoos and hang out on the beach picking up hot girls in their bikinis- okay?"

So please tell me I am not alone here… Right? Pretty please? Reassure me!
I am hoping it is because (as a friend said) Addison and I do all of the talking for him and because, as I have discovered, he is a stubborn 19-month-old determined to do things only when HE is good and ready.

Ah yes, my stubborn- I am ready when I say I am ready- chubby, toe-head I love... Mama or no Mama.
_________________________________________________________
Day 101
Planting Flowers Part 2: at Gredda & Pop-Pop's

End of the World to-do-list & Day 100. 265 Days Left (maybe)

Before the grand apocalypse takes place in 8 hours... there are a few things I need to do...

1. Baptize our cats and dogs.

2. Kidnap a nun or priest to keep us Holy for the remaining 8 hours.

3. Buy more cat and dog food (in case we don’t get away with #1)

4. Teach pets to be self sufficient… Probably not necessary being that neither the hubby nor I will be among the ruptured. Chances are neither will the kiddos being that we had them baptized in a backwoods Catholic Church a.) it was quick and convenient b.) no classes to take.

5. Buy shotguns… since the Sankeys will be left behind we need some form of protection for fighting off zombies.

6. Buy plenty of sunscreen- since earth will be a fiery hell.

7. Buy lotto ticket- chances of winning are greater with less people around.

8. Give the hubby a little afternoon nookie why the kiddos are napping.

9. Attend Addison’s bestie’s 3rd birthday party and pray that the rapture actually begins at 6pm (as the rapture event hosts say. However, I am little confused about the time~ is it by time zone?) because damned be the person interrupting a toddler’s birthday party— can you imagine the tantrums from the pissed off three year olds?!

10. If all fails and Sunday arrives, begin preparations for December 21, 2012 Rapture taking place in 579 days 13911 hours 834666 minutes and 50078500 seconds.
__________________________________________________________
Day 100
Addison cuddles

Toddler Talk Thursday & Day 99. 266 Days Left.

It’s no surprise kids’ say the funniest things, and what comes out of the mouth’s of toddlers is often hysterical and sometimes downright pee your pants funny! When what they say isn’t humorous, their words can melt your heart. To help make sure I never forget these little toddler quips and because they make me smile, I have decided to share them in a weekly post called “Toddler Talk Thursday”.

Mommy: “Sonofabitch!”
As I stepped in a puddle of what could only be dog pee.

Addison: “*long dramatic gasp* Mommy, you don’t ever say that again- understand me!”

Why she would be so concerned with my choice of words when I have spouted so much worse—not my proudest moments…

Mommy: “You are right Addison. Mommy is sorry that is a very bad word.”

Twenty minutes later...

Addison: “Sonofabitch!” well, at least she used it correctly.

She and Jackson were fighting over a cardboard box house—Jackson won…

What are your toddlers saying?
________________________________________________________
Day 99
The cardboard "Toy Story 3 friend's house"

Lately & Day 98. 267 Days Left

Lately, I have been spending more time baking, coloring and doing arts & crafts with Addison and more time playing cars and building towers with Jackson.

(picture of Jackson & mommy courtesy of Addison)

Lately, I have been saying yes to an extra movie before naptime.

(watching Toy Story 3)


Lately, Afternoons have been spent giving extra cuddles and kisses.

Lately, I have allowed Addison that extra cup of chocolate milk.


Lately, bathtime has been longer allowing more time for splashing and laughter.

Lately, I have been saying yes to extra chapters at bedtime. Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and I Love You, Goodnight have been filling our evenings.
And even though they have been going to bed a little late, I am enjoying the giggles and they are just happy to be up late.

Lately, I have been focused on happiness... There are so many more smiles than I ever noticed before.

What have you been focused on lately?
___________________________________________________________
Day 98
Space shuttle

Beware the light sleeping mommy & Day 97. 268 Days Left.

There was an era, ages ago, when I could go to sleep and stay asleep through the night- undisturbed, unruffled, unpushed and my comforter stayed on me till I chose to toss it off in the morning... that day is long gone!

I am a tired mommy.

Pretty sure I have mentioned this once or twice before. I will go a step further... I am a light sleeper therefore I wake up a tired mommy.

The worst part- most nights it has absolutely nothing to do with the kids.

I do wake up occasionally to the rustling of the kids moving around their beds- we still sleep with the baby monitor. Some nights Jackson lets out a little cry but he ventures right back into dreamland. Addison will occasionally wake to go potty or from growing pains or to come into bed with us (we then have to lift her over the baby gate that blocks our bedroom door- this way our fabulous dog can’t pee on the carpet- his favorite night time hobby)… mostly the kids sleep straight through.

I am mostly sleep deprived because of the hubby, the pests pets and the fact I am a light sleeper, little noises wake me and I often have a difficult time returning to sleep.

At first, a big part of the problem was that the husband likes to snuggle to the point of chasing me across the bed. On more than one occasion, I woke up hanging off of the side of the bed and got up and moved to his vacant half so that I could get a little sleep.

Doesn’t seem like such a big deal but add the three cats and three dogs and on some nights, one or two toddlers- to the mix- not much room to move.

Then there is the snoring… have you ever heard the exaggerated snoring on cartoons? You know, that obnoxious snore that has resemblance to a chain saw? That’s how the husband and our Pug snore; I lye in-between the two while listening to snoring in both ears. Waking the hubby and telling him to roll over because he’s snoring used to work. Now he rolls over and still snores, and I don’t get to go back to sleep. After being awake listening to snoring for an hour I give the hubby a good kick light nudge to wake him. If he is irritated enough he will get up and go on the sofa… I yell to him “Take the pug with you!”

On those nights the hubby’s snoring is not the issue, I am plagued by thoughts from the day and worries of the next. And once awake, the animals seem to take the reigns. Cats using the litter boxes, stench of cat poop, scratching, fighting, pug snoring, animals licking themselves and taking up the bed.

Then there are the noises- car alarms, ice maker, babies rustling in their beds, noisy neighbors and the joys of condo living…

Finally, I fall back to sleep… the hubby’s alarm.

I am a light sleeper- the hubby is not.

On this particular night, mommy was tired.
I did not even hear Addison come to the gate so she could crawl in bed with us… oops. Hope she found the sofa to be comfortable.

I do wonder how long she was standing at our door before she gave up…

So here’s to all you other sleep-deprived mama’s, 'cause there's nothing more defeating than a fellow perky mom who's got it all together!
_________________________________________________________
Day 96
sleep

These moments & Day 96. 269 Days Left.

She walks into the kitchen while I am cleaning up from breakfast. She begins telling me how she still needs Buzz Lightyear for her Toy Story Friends, and I, being distracted as usual, gave some distant mumbles of understanding.

She stops talking. I just assumed she went back into her room.

She walks up next to me; “Mommy you look like you need a hug.”

I stop the dishes, look down at her; “I do?”

She smiles; “Yes, mommy. You don’t feel good so I think you need a hug.”

I pick her up and she wraps her little arms around my neck. “Mommy, I love you.”

“Thank you Addison. I love you too.”

And with that she is off to her room telling the rest of her “friends” Buzz will be here soon…
______________________________________________________
Day 96
These moments

A toddlers mind & Day 95. 270 Days Left

We have been on a Toy Story Marathon. The past few days Addison has insisted requested to watch Toy Story… Followed by Toy Story 2… Followed by Toy Story 3 (my favorite).

Growing up, I remember having Cabbage Patch Kids and Barbie’s. My sister and I, together, would engage in creative imaginary play… but I don't remember us playing anything like Addison.

Our Toy Story marathons have encouraged her to be more imaginative during play time.

Must say, really, really fun to watch. Her. Not the movies.

I am pretty sure Daddy and Jackson are over watching Toy Story. I know I am over the movie. But I enjoy Addison learning to use her imagination and if Toy Story helps- well so be it.

Scene 1:
“Evil Princess Monkey, Evil Dinosaur and Evil Giant Rabbit took Flower.”

Scene 2:
“My friends are going to save you Flower.”

Scene 3:
“Mommy we saved Flower.”

Scene 4:
“Oh no mommy! Evil Big Baby took my friends boat go get him Mommy! Lock him up!”

Scene 5:
“Dr. Eeyore has to check Disney Dog for a boo-boo. He has a splinter from saving Flower.”

Scene 6:
“Disney Dog needs to go get Rex to take by Dr. Eeyore. Rex has a spider bite from Evil Princess Monkey”

Scene 7:
“Everyone is all better. We are having a cupcake party. Mommy, lock up Evil Big Baby with Evil Princess Monkey.”

Note to self: Teach Addison to sit with legs closed. Had to stop and put clothes on her. still didn't seem to help.

___________________________________________________________
Day 94
Jackson and his new buddy

The teething night crawler & Day 94. 271 Days Left.

Neither of my kids have been particularly good when it came to teething…

I tried everything marketed for teething relief. Nothing seemed to ease their discomfort. Most of the teething products ended up in the trash or pushed to the back of an already overflowing drawer. Addison was far worse than Jackson. I could not even giver her Tylenol or Orajel; she would vomit the moment it hit her mouth.

However, nothing comapred to the molars.

They morphed into something that crawled out of the latest horror novel…

The past few days, with Jackson, have been rather difficult; missed afternoon naps, late nights with frequent wake-ups and even earlier mornings. He has a horrible diaper rash which, for him, is not normal. We were fortunate enough that neither Addison nor Jackson really had problems with diaper rashes- until teething; mostly molars.

He is miserable. Clingy. Cranky. Tired.

We tried Tylenol- not helping. He just wants to be comforted and held. He does not want to leave our arms. If I put him down he runs to daddy crying, arms stretched, waiting to be picked up. He whines and moans and cries and throws himself on the ground. All. Day.

Not fun for anyone. Especially our little guy.

Last night, by far, the worst. It went a little something like this…

8:00pm: After their bath, we put a very cranky Jackson in his crib and Addison in her toddler bed. An hour later he climbs out of the crib, crying.

9:01pm: Put him back in the crib with a sippy cup of milk. More crying. More milk.

10:30pm: He finally feel asleep.

2:46am: Jackson wakes crying. Addison comes running out of the room. Take Addison potty. Change Jackson. Crib. More milk. Put Toy Story on for the one millionth time. Addison falls back to sleep. Jackson fusses.

4:00am: Jackson is sleeping. The hubby's alarm goes off for work.

5:00am: I hear the door shut- hubby left.

6:00am: Pug wakes me- she was snoring.

6:15am: I go sleep on the couch.

7:00am: Addison comes running out “it is wake up time mommy! Take me potty.”

7:30am: Jackson wakes. Crying.

One down. Three more to go.

I just want my happy little man back.
__________________________________________________________
Day 94

Jackson and the words "yea" or "weeee" while in another room- NEVER a good sign... at least I have not mopped the floors and I caught the mess before he really got into what he was doing. Needless to say the frig is now Jackson proofed.