Thursday, August 18, 2011
It's been more than a year?!?!?!
Uh, oops!!!!! I knew I was behind on blogging, and then I knew that I hadn't blogged in a long time, and then I thought I'd get back into it when I felt like it. Guess I didn't realize that it really had been over a YEAR! And you know how everyone tells you, "Write it down because you'll forget it," it's true. Reading through some of the older posts, it's like I'm reading about someone else's life it seems so long ago. I feel like blogging again. My memory thanks me.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Legacy: What are your earliest memories?
When I was very young, at my grandma's house there were adults, adults, adults. I was surrounded by grown ups whose conversations were things I didn't understand because they were over my head figuratively and literally. I was lifted onto each aunt's, uncle's, and grandparent's lap throughout the day, not at all attention stared, nearly the opposite. I was the only grandchild - the sole recipient of people seeking a dose of cuteness, the only one they would teach to say catch phrases or buy random presents for.
I recall one visit to Cincinnati. I must have been 2, maybe 3. At some point, I guess I had wet myself because I remember my mom scrounging around suitcases, trying to find another set of clothes until my things were finished in Grandma's dryer. Somehow, and I really don't understand why this happened, the only thing for me to cover up with was my Great Aunt Marian's red lacy underwear. The women safety pinned them to the point that they'd stay on me. I had never seen underwear like that before. I remember everyone giggling, and since the majority of the crowd was in their early twenties, I can understand why they may have picked out that spare outfit anyway.
It was the early 80's, and a song that my grandparents danced to at one of their square dancing events was Elvira. In the livingroom with an audience lining the walls, my grandpa taught me some line dancing steps, some backward forward step and kick move. laughing ensued from the crowd and, oh, I enjoyed an appreciative audience. And so I kicked my; little foot as high as I could and sang along to the Eyll-vi-rah!! And this is why years later when I pass by red lacy underwear while heading to the diaper aisle, in my head, I sing giddy-up-a-oom-bapa-oom-bapa-mow-mow..
I recall one visit to Cincinnati. I must have been 2, maybe 3. At some point, I guess I had wet myself because I remember my mom scrounging around suitcases, trying to find another set of clothes until my things were finished in Grandma's dryer. Somehow, and I really don't understand why this happened, the only thing for me to cover up with was my Great Aunt Marian's red lacy underwear. The women safety pinned them to the point that they'd stay on me. I had never seen underwear like that before. I remember everyone giggling, and since the majority of the crowd was in their early twenties, I can understand why they may have picked out that spare outfit anyway.
It was the early 80's, and a song that my grandparents danced to at one of their square dancing events was Elvira. In the livingroom with an audience lining the walls, my grandpa taught me some line dancing steps, some backward forward step and kick move. laughing ensued from the crowd and, oh, I enjoyed an appreciative audience. And so I kicked my; little foot as high as I could and sang along to the Eyll-vi-rah!! And this is why years later when I pass by red lacy underwear while heading to the diaper aisle, in my head, I sing giddy-up-a-oom-bapa-oom-bapa-mow-mow..
Legacy: Where were you born? What were you told about your birth?
I was born in Athens, Ohio. It was my actual due date, May 6th. My parents were college students at Ohio University, on the swim team, and newlyweds. They lived in a college apartment without much furniture - a crib and maybe some beanbag chairs or something like that.
I know that the day I was born, the nurses were on strike. Because of this, my mom was in labor longer than she should have been. She was so young, without the experience of close girlfriends who would have already filled her in on all the details. Apparently she stayed in bed the whole time instead of walking around like the nurses would have told her to do. She told me about this when I was carrying my first baby, hoping that the advice would come in useful, but I had an epidural and couldn't have walked around if I wanted to.
My grandparents drove across the state to meet me. I hardly had any hair. That's about the extent of what I know. When I was born, it was one of the few times in my life I was punctual, I had already been on a swim team, and the nurses were on strike.
(Alright, so this prompt didn't make me write anything too wonderful, but maybe next time.)
I know that the day I was born, the nurses were on strike. Because of this, my mom was in labor longer than she should have been. She was so young, without the experience of close girlfriends who would have already filled her in on all the details. Apparently she stayed in bed the whole time instead of walking around like the nurses would have told her to do. She told me about this when I was carrying my first baby, hoping that the advice would come in useful, but I had an epidural and couldn't have walked around if I wanted to.
My grandparents drove across the state to meet me. I hardly had any hair. That's about the extent of what I know. When I was born, it was one of the few times in my life I was punctual, I had already been on a swim team, and the nurses were on strike.
(Alright, so this prompt didn't make me write anything too wonderful, but maybe next time.)
Changing Perspective
For fun, we were asked to write a story from the perspective of random objects. Each person was assigned a subject. Mine was toilet paper...
I was jammed between my friends, enjoying a quiet moment of rest, squished yet cozy in the dark, going along for a car ride. When the car stops and the trunk opens, it's still dark and quiet. Music has been turned down and there's a quiet rustling. My friend leaves and I'm just sitting there waiting. Then I am lifted, and I'm starting to be unwound just as I anticipated.
But , I feel myself rushing up. I've been let go. My layers unraveling faster than they should, and I feel poked and tangled, trapped on dewy twigs. I'm only half left.
Again, only higher, I am hurled, tying into branches among the remains of my once composed and neat friends. I am spread out more than I was intended to be. I am on display and embarrassed for instead of being discreet, I am spread wide and being shown.
The sun peaks over the horizon, and I know what is about to happen. I know that I am about to be discovered. Should I just go with it and reflect the light? Or should I droop and hide among the branches?
But , I feel myself rushing up. I've been let go. My layers unraveling faster than they should, and I feel poked and tangled, trapped on dewy twigs. I'm only half left.
Again, only higher, I am hurled, tying into branches among the remains of my once composed and neat friends. I am spread out more than I was intended to be. I am on display and embarrassed for instead of being discreet, I am spread wide and being shown.
The sun peaks over the horizon, and I know what is about to happen. I know that I am about to be discovered. Should I just go with it and reflect the light? Or should I droop and hide among the branches?
Recipe for Sadness
one clear, warm ocean with
an abundance of sealife
Combine with white clean sand,
breezes, and sunshine.
a sprinkling of a beach vacation, just as soul-quenching as you imagined.
Cover with Horizon.
This was a brief assignment given during a presentation by Adrian Matejka, a poet who has recently published the book Mixology and will soon publish a poetic narrative about boxer Jack Johnson.
an abundance of sealife
Combine with white clean sand,
breezes, and sunshine.
a sprinkling of a beach vacation, just as soul-quenching as you imagined.
Cover with Horizon.
This was a brief assignment given during a presentation by Adrian Matejka, a poet who has recently published the book Mixology and will soon publish a poetic narrative about boxer Jack Johnson.
One year ago, my parents took the family to Destin Beach for a week's vacation. TO say that Destin has soft white sand and clear blue water sounds cliche, but it's absolutely true. We'd head out to the beach in the morning, set up an umbrella and let the babies' feet sink into the warm, clean sand.
Owen would swim out chest deep and ride waves all the way bak tot he shore on a boogtie board. My dad spent his morning snorkeling as if her were swimming laps up and down the coast line. I swam too, and I'm the not the type who likes wimming with fish or plants or crabs. It gives me the willies to go into a pond where you can't see what might brush against you. But in Destin, the water is so clean, you could see. All the way to the bottom.
All day, every day, a significant amount of our time was spent listening to gentle waves, playing in the sand, and swimming, swimming, swimming. We took a few day trips. Tim, Dad, Devon, and Ashley went deep sea fishing and brought back plenty for dinner. Tim and I took Owen on a dolphin cruise where we got to see about four pods, one of which had two adults and three babies, just like us.
You know how at the end of most vacations, you're ready to go home? Well, we weren't. We planned to come back soon though, maybe in a couple of years. Tim and I had met in Destin one spring break, we'd honeymooned there, and now we'd brought our three children. We were anticipating taking them back as soon as we could, but one year later to the day...(here should be a video of oil on Destin Beach and a little girl who's crying because she can't get it off of her foot. Working on getting blogger to post it.)
And this is just the beginning. Day one on Destin Beach. The impact will last for years, even decades.
Not to go all dolphins and rainbows here, but start around 6 minutes:
(Another video. You can see it at www.bpoilslick.blogspot.com)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sadie's Picture
My Little Jane,Oh I love you. I swear sometimes it's like I'm raising myself. If it weren't for your blue eyes, I might get your baby pictures confused with my own. Your flippy pigtails and adorability, it's just all so natural to you. It comes so easy. Your girly mannerisms. Your ruffly goodness. When you're just waiting in the line with your brothers and notice a bar that is the perfect height to hang on, it's all so present even when you aren't paying it any attention.
There will be times when it doesn't seem like this prettiness will come so easily. There will be times when you're not so sure and won't feel like you're radiating joy the way you do in this picture. But Sadie, this picture is you. You are knowing and enjoyable and so completely lovable. Know that even when you don't know it.
Always your fan,
Mom
P.S. I love your shoes. I'm glad you picked them out.
In response to an assignment
On the first day of the National Writing Project institute, we were asked to think about our favorite moments as writers and explain those experiences as narratives. I wrote about my experiences keeping a personal journal in college. Here's my response:
Unnerved. At a time when I was wounded and out of place, there was no sense of security in being around other people, calling home, or asking for advice. There was no relieve in the things I was raised to believe in. I felt like such a fool, and I needed to bring myself out of desparation. And so, I fell back on a practice that I ad truned to since I was twelve. I needed to write. I used to just go through the motions - writing down someone else's words, like lyrics to a song or copying out of a book, and sometimes still do. But I had experienced the writing-out of feelings now and was compelled to allow myself another self-indulgent session.
Out in the woods on a nearly vacant trail, only another jogger every ten minutes or so. I'd gone for a run and stopped in the middle. I sat on a rock. I breathed and let the trees soak into me. I closed my eyes to feel the spots of sun blinking through the leaves like whispers to my soul. Then a jumble thoughts would flow through me and right out the top of my head, most of them unclear - that scattered uncertainty of unrequited love and wishfulness. And then one thought would come, and I'd know it was brilliant. Before I forgot it, I'd scribble it down as quickly as I could on a piece of paper I had folded into quarters and tucked into my waistband. It was as if I was watching myself from a distance yet could not me any more in the moment as myself: the slowness of writing not keeping up with what I wanted to say, that slowness shaping my next thought into somehting more clear and poignant than my original idea. Such release and feeling of being real and knowing who I was. Ending when I was exhausted or it just felt like I'd reached the perfect concluding line. I'd read what had spewed out of me and be so pleased with myself. Feeling centered and proud and like someone ought to be there to see me like this, all figured out.
It is those moments of writing which make it important to me, which inspire me to want to ensure that the ability to ground yourself is available to everyone: the young, the underprivileged, the forgotten. The self-serving, the bullying, the greedy. For better than any prayer with a thousand meaningless "Oh Lords", writing can help you see through the clouds of life. It helps you define values, see situations from broader perspectives, calms and draws conclusions. It is that communication with yourself that I learned to cherish. It is because writing has the abilityto search and affirm. And also to preserve, so that when you need to, you can read over again that moment of clarity to reconnect with the self you intended to be.
Unnerved. At a time when I was wounded and out of place, there was no sense of security in being around other people, calling home, or asking for advice. There was no relieve in the things I was raised to believe in. I felt like such a fool, and I needed to bring myself out of desparation. And so, I fell back on a practice that I ad truned to since I was twelve. I needed to write. I used to just go through the motions - writing down someone else's words, like lyrics to a song or copying out of a book, and sometimes still do. But I had experienced the writing-out of feelings now and was compelled to allow myself another self-indulgent session.
Out in the woods on a nearly vacant trail, only another jogger every ten minutes or so. I'd gone for a run and stopped in the middle. I sat on a rock. I breathed and let the trees soak into me. I closed my eyes to feel the spots of sun blinking through the leaves like whispers to my soul. Then a jumble thoughts would flow through me and right out the top of my head, most of them unclear - that scattered uncertainty of unrequited love and wishfulness. And then one thought would come, and I'd know it was brilliant. Before I forgot it, I'd scribble it down as quickly as I could on a piece of paper I had folded into quarters and tucked into my waistband. It was as if I was watching myself from a distance yet could not me any more in the moment as myself: the slowness of writing not keeping up with what I wanted to say, that slowness shaping my next thought into somehting more clear and poignant than my original idea. Such release and feeling of being real and knowing who I was. Ending when I was exhausted or it just felt like I'd reached the perfect concluding line. I'd read what had spewed out of me and be so pleased with myself. Feeling centered and proud and like someone ought to be there to see me like this, all figured out.
It is those moments of writing which make it important to me, which inspire me to want to ensure that the ability to ground yourself is available to everyone: the young, the underprivileged, the forgotten. The self-serving, the bullying, the greedy. For better than any prayer with a thousand meaningless "Oh Lords", writing can help you see through the clouds of life. It helps you define values, see situations from broader perspectives, calms and draws conclusions. It is that communication with yourself that I learned to cherish. It is because writing has the abilityto search and affirm. And also to preserve, so that when you need to, you can read over again that moment of clarity to reconnect with the self you intended to be.
Monday, June 14, 2010
National Writing Project
This summer I'm taking part in the inaugural institute of the River Bend National Writing Project at USI. It's a professional development program for teachers focused on improving literacy skills, and I'm hoping that it will lead to productive professional opportunities for me in the future. You can read more about it at www.usi.edu/riverbend.
A part of the institute is centered around teachers developing themselves as writers. We've been given a few direct assignments, but are mainly encouraged to find our own "projects" to work on. I don't have access to a classroom in which I can do research, and I don't have an idea (yet) for a novel like many of the other participants. I do have this blog, though, and one of the books that has been lying on my shelf for a long time is called Legacy: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Personal History by Linda Spence. That's exactly what it is. There are hundreds of simple prompts that ask you to turn your life into stories.
Originally, I had bought this book to give to my grandma because I wanted to know more about her childhood, but that didn't end up working out. And now, I'm thinking about my kids, wondering if maybe they'll ever want to have a personal link to a tiny piece of history.
I don't have too many followers of my blog, but for those of you who do read my response to these prompts, please comment and let me know what you think. If you were there in those moments and remember them differently, fill me in. Also, I'm hoping that some of these might inspire you to tell your own stories. Even if you don't think of yourself as a great writer, there are people who want to hear what you have to say.
A part of the institute is centered around teachers developing themselves as writers. We've been given a few direct assignments, but are mainly encouraged to find our own "projects" to work on. I don't have access to a classroom in which I can do research, and I don't have an idea (yet) for a novel like many of the other participants. I do have this blog, though, and one of the books that has been lying on my shelf for a long time is called Legacy: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Personal History by Linda Spence. That's exactly what it is. There are hundreds of simple prompts that ask you to turn your life into stories.
Originally, I had bought this book to give to my grandma because I wanted to know more about her childhood, but that didn't end up working out. And now, I'm thinking about my kids, wondering if maybe they'll ever want to have a personal link to a tiny piece of history.
I don't have too many followers of my blog, but for those of you who do read my response to these prompts, please comment and let me know what you think. If you were there in those moments and remember them differently, fill me in. Also, I'm hoping that some of these might inspire you to tell your own stories. Even if you don't think of yourself as a great writer, there are people who want to hear what you have to say.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Little Man Blake
In early May, we were putting the finishing touches on packing for our trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Yeah, I heard the babies awake in their cribs, but no one was crying, so I let them stay there while I finished getting ready. I came upstairs for the last time to go wake them up, and who should greet me but Mr. Blake - who had stripped down to a diaper - marching with purpose passed the staircase where I was standing. That boy had climbed out of his crib and opened his bedroom door. He glanced at me, said "Hi," and waved, but he didn't slow down. He turned and walked into the kitchen, opened the dishwasher, pulled out the top shelf and got a cup. I just stood there in shock and watched him. He held the cup up to the fridge and got some water. Took a drink. Got more water. Spilled it. I promise you, he shrugged his shoulders, got a towel off the edge of the counter and wiped it up.
Blake and Sadie are my babies. I don't like when people call their kids babies after they are way passed the baby phase, but honestly, my babies are babies. Toddlers at most. To see him unexpectedly whiz through a complicated series of tasks like that - and to do it with such nonchalance! - well it makes me think I've been mothering blindfolded.
It made me laugh to see him act like such a mini-man. (Although, I know of at least one man who wouldn't have bothered to wipe up his spill. Hee hee) It made me breathe a sigh of relief, like maybe I should start expecting more out of him. Maybe I should expect him to use more words instead of constantly trying to guess what he wants. Maybe I should expect him to follow more directions. Blake can be oblivious to the world around him when he is focused on something that catches his attention, but I think he also has a greater ability to calculate situations than I used to give him credit for.
Blake and Sadie are my babies. I don't like when people call their kids babies after they are way passed the baby phase, but honestly, my babies are babies. Toddlers at most. To see him unexpectedly whiz through a complicated series of tasks like that - and to do it with such nonchalance! - well it makes me think I've been mothering blindfolded.
It made me laugh to see him act like such a mini-man. (Although, I know of at least one man who wouldn't have bothered to wipe up his spill. Hee hee) It made me breathe a sigh of relief, like maybe I should start expecting more out of him. Maybe I should expect him to use more words instead of constantly trying to guess what he wants. Maybe I should expect him to follow more directions. Blake can be oblivious to the world around him when he is focused on something that catches his attention, but I think he also has a greater ability to calculate situations than I used to give him credit for.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
So, way back in January, we decided that we should look for a new house. We seemed to be outgrowing ours little by little, and had enough money in savings to afford a bigger, more "what we always wanted" kind of place. We looked and looked and found some that were close but none that were perfect. The complexities of house hunting are nerve racking. One would have 4 bedrooms but not enough family space. Another would have a great fenced-in backyard but be in a neighborhood we didn't really like. We have now looked at over 50 houses.
On April 28th, with the tax credit deadline upon us, we had all but given up. We decided to take our house off of the market and just hang tight until we either had a little more money to spend or the right house fell into our laps. But we got a call that night from someone who saw the sign in our front yard, they came to see the house at 8 in the morning, and offered to buy it by 4:30 that afternoon.
At that point, we had sold our house and have to move out by June 25th, but we had no place to live. There was not a house on the market that would be the right fit for us. We knew that the "right fit" house exists since we'd let two of them slip through our fingers early in the house hunting game. And so we were torn. We looked for rental homes, apartments, thought about moving to Ohio.
And then, we went to see a for sale by owner house that we had seen months before. At the time, we loved it, but felt it was simply out of our price range, especially for a 3 bedroom. However, some magic fairy dust was blown our way. The price had dropped, and upon seeing this place the second time, we fell in love with it.
Today we went to the bank to sign another round of papers. We're closing on Thursday and getting the keys to our new place. It's a place that has been so loved, even from its planning phases. The father of the woman we are buying it from planned the subdivision and hand built the grand curved banister that welcomes you in the entryway. The couple created the plans and ensured that every inch was cared for for the last 24 years. They've moved closer to her parents to help care for them as they age and are understandably emotional over the decision to move. I cannot imagine. We get the sense that it is some relief to them knowing that there are 3 new beautiful children who will have the chance to grow up in that house, who will get to run down that hill in the backyard and play in those bedrooms. The home has such a feeling of love and happiness running through it. We intend to keep it that way.
On April 28th, with the tax credit deadline upon us, we had all but given up. We decided to take our house off of the market and just hang tight until we either had a little more money to spend or the right house fell into our laps. But we got a call that night from someone who saw the sign in our front yard, they came to see the house at 8 in the morning, and offered to buy it by 4:30 that afternoon.
At that point, we had sold our house and have to move out by June 25th, but we had no place to live. There was not a house on the market that would be the right fit for us. We knew that the "right fit" house exists since we'd let two of them slip through our fingers early in the house hunting game. And so we were torn. We looked for rental homes, apartments, thought about moving to Ohio.
And then, we went to see a for sale by owner house that we had seen months before. At the time, we loved it, but felt it was simply out of our price range, especially for a 3 bedroom. However, some magic fairy dust was blown our way. The price had dropped, and upon seeing this place the second time, we fell in love with it.
Today we went to the bank to sign another round of papers. We're closing on Thursday and getting the keys to our new place. It's a place that has been so loved, even from its planning phases. The father of the woman we are buying it from planned the subdivision and hand built the grand curved banister that welcomes you in the entryway. The couple created the plans and ensured that every inch was cared for for the last 24 years. They've moved closer to her parents to help care for them as they age and are understandably emotional over the decision to move. I cannot imagine. We get the sense that it is some relief to them knowing that there are 3 new beautiful children who will have the chance to grow up in that house, who will get to run down that hill in the backyard and play in those bedrooms. The home has such a feeling of love and happiness running through it. We intend to keep it that way.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
A Good Sneak
Owen has this new habit of trying to make a "good sneak" whenever he knows there's something he's supposed to do. It's fun to be sneaky, but he has tried to do things like sneak outside without permission or sneak into the snack bin and the results were less than favorable for him. So, we told him that it's still fun to sneak for good stuff that he knows he won't get in trouble over. It worked. It worked very well. Almost too well.
Owen sneaks into his clothes in the morning, coming downstairs fully dressed in long sleeved shirts, shorts, and argyle socks. He sneaks into the van when I'm getting everything loaded up, which would be great if he didn't leave the door open, allowing babies in bare socks to run out in to the muddy yard before I can catch them. He sneaks into the tub after dinner, claiming his spot near the faucet before the twins get carried down.
But his favorite sneak, the one he tries every night, is the sneak after bath, into his room, into his pj's. Usually, I'll be checking facebook or doing dishes, and I'll hear a little giggle on the stairs. I'll turn around and see a naked booty crawling under his towel/invisibility cloak back to his room. He loves this sneak, and I think I know why. He tries to pull it off before he gets his hair and body washed. Getting to play in the tub without the nuisance of having to get clean is a win-win in his book. A lot of the time, I just let him get away with it too.
If he sees that I've seen him sneaking, he gets so disappointed. Most of time, he burst into tears. "I was trying to do a good sneak! You ruined my sneak!" So I have learned not to turn my head to creaking noises in the hallway. After 10 minutes or so of playing Transformers in his birthday suit, he'll come out all pj-ed up and ready for bed, saying, "Mom, guess what? I did a good sneak!!! Aren't you proud of me?"
Yes, buddy. I am.
Owen sneaks into his clothes in the morning, coming downstairs fully dressed in long sleeved shirts, shorts, and argyle socks. He sneaks into the van when I'm getting everything loaded up, which would be great if he didn't leave the door open, allowing babies in bare socks to run out in to the muddy yard before I can catch them. He sneaks into the tub after dinner, claiming his spot near the faucet before the twins get carried down.
But his favorite sneak, the one he tries every night, is the sneak after bath, into his room, into his pj's. Usually, I'll be checking facebook or doing dishes, and I'll hear a little giggle on the stairs. I'll turn around and see a naked booty crawling under his towel/invisibility cloak back to his room. He loves this sneak, and I think I know why. He tries to pull it off before he gets his hair and body washed. Getting to play in the tub without the nuisance of having to get clean is a win-win in his book. A lot of the time, I just let him get away with it too.
If he sees that I've seen him sneaking, he gets so disappointed. Most of time, he burst into tears. "I was trying to do a good sneak! You ruined my sneak!" So I have learned not to turn my head to creaking noises in the hallway. After 10 minutes or so of playing Transformers in his birthday suit, he'll come out all pj-ed up and ready for bed, saying, "Mom, guess what? I did a good sneak!!! Aren't you proud of me?"
Yes, buddy. I am.
Owenisms #5
On Monday nights, when I teach ENG 201 out at USI, Tim and the kids have pizza night. When the pizza guy showed up and dinner was served, Owen told Tim, "This pizza sets me free!"
"Molly, don't go out there. You don't want to get your fleas wet!" Yelled to our cat who does not have fleas, but did run out into the rain as we did our normal 3 trips into the house (one for each baby and one for the stuff)
While we were the only family playing at the Chick-fil-a playground, two little girls came in. Owen was up in the tunnels when the oldest girl (6-ish) asked him where her sister was. Owen was on a mission to find the younger sister (3-ish), and after he did, he went back up the tunnel to inform the big sis. When he came down the slide, he got right up next to me and said very seriously, "Mom, I think I'm starting to like woman." Woman, not women. Oh my.
"Dad, I'm starting to fall in love with Wheely." Wheely is a little Transformer.
On an ordinary day in March, "You deserve a Mother's Day. I'm gonna give you this day for mothers." Nothing else happened that day, but it may have been my favorite day this March.
"Do you know why they call it a pacifier? So that if you were in a burning building, your mouth wouldn't get burnt when you were getting out."
"Molly, don't go out there. You don't want to get your fleas wet!" Yelled to our cat who does not have fleas, but did run out into the rain as we did our normal 3 trips into the house (one for each baby and one for the stuff)
While we were the only family playing at the Chick-fil-a playground, two little girls came in. Owen was up in the tunnels when the oldest girl (6-ish) asked him where her sister was. Owen was on a mission to find the younger sister (3-ish), and after he did, he went back up the tunnel to inform the big sis. When he came down the slide, he got right up next to me and said very seriously, "Mom, I think I'm starting to like woman." Woman, not women. Oh my.
"Dad, I'm starting to fall in love with Wheely." Wheely is a little Transformer.
On an ordinary day in March, "You deserve a Mother's Day. I'm gonna give you this day for mothers." Nothing else happened that day, but it may have been my favorite day this March.
"Do you know why they call it a pacifier? So that if you were in a burning building, your mouth wouldn't get burnt when you were getting out."
Thursday, January 21, 2010
My Little Helper
My little Sadie Jane is becoming more and more aware of how everything works. She is progressing with language. She in the last few weeks, she's learned to say cat, dog, wha dis?, dat?, diapa, ball, more, head, shhh, buh (book), and blah (Blake). She can do signs for elephant, alligator, and hat, which are all useful, everyday words...right?
Beyond that she is catching on to processes. If I say it's time to eat, she and Blake head to the stairs and crawl up. Sadie has realized that big people don't crawl up the stairs though, and so she likes to try to stand when I get distracted. I can tell the babies to get their trays, and they totter over together to the sink or dishwasher to get a tray and totter it back over to their seats.
If I say it's time for night night, on her own, Sadie gathers her blankies and a paci and either heads to her room or runs from me depending on if she wants to go to sleep or not.
If I say it's time to go, Sadie collects everyone's shoes. She takes Owen's shoes to him, multiple times (cuts down on me having to nag him to "put them on already!"), takes Blake's and my shoes to me, and has even gotten her own shoe on a handful of times.
She likes to pitch in and help put toys in bins. Although as soon as I turn around, they get them all back out again. She'll bring me diapers for Blake, and hands me wipes like a little scrub nurse.
This afternoon, Owen was playing around pretending to be a baby. He found one of Sadie's pacifiers, crawled up the stairs, and sat in one of the baby's seats. Without missing a beat, Sadie just pretended like she was a big girl. She got him a tray, a baby spoon, took the paci off of his tray and laid it on the table. Then she tried to climb into his normal seat, but couldn't quite make it. Owen thought it was hilarious.
This is such a fun stage!!
Beyond that she is catching on to processes. If I say it's time to eat, she and Blake head to the stairs and crawl up. Sadie has realized that big people don't crawl up the stairs though, and so she likes to try to stand when I get distracted. I can tell the babies to get their trays, and they totter over together to the sink or dishwasher to get a tray and totter it back over to their seats.
If I say it's time for night night, on her own, Sadie gathers her blankies and a paci and either heads to her room or runs from me depending on if she wants to go to sleep or not.
If I say it's time to go, Sadie collects everyone's shoes. She takes Owen's shoes to him, multiple times (cuts down on me having to nag him to "put them on already!"), takes Blake's and my shoes to me, and has even gotten her own shoe on a handful of times.
She likes to pitch in and help put toys in bins. Although as soon as I turn around, they get them all back out again. She'll bring me diapers for Blake, and hands me wipes like a little scrub nurse.
This afternoon, Owen was playing around pretending to be a baby. He found one of Sadie's pacifiers, crawled up the stairs, and sat in one of the baby's seats. Without missing a beat, Sadie just pretended like she was a big girl. She got him a tray, a baby spoon, took the paci off of his tray and laid it on the table. Then she tried to climb into his normal seat, but couldn't quite make it. Owen thought it was hilarious.
This is such a fun stage!!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Owen's Letter to Santa
Owen dictated his Santa letter to me this year. I typed it up, read it back, and Owen made a few changes. Then, we took the letter to see Santa in the mall. Santa read the whole thing and talked to Owen for a little while about it.
Dear Santa,
This is Owen Wade Metzger. I was so good that maybe you could get me the presents I want. This year, I was good of sharing my pancakes with Sadie. Also last time I was helpful of putting the Christmas decorations on the Christmas tree. I know how to put dishes in the dishwasher and put stuff that's not posed to be out in the trash. I take turns with my friends really good. I try to do a good job listening at home and at swim lessons and sometimes Taekwondo. I can say the Pledge of Allegiance. And I already got a suprise from Grandma Liles, the Santa Buddies movie.
And Santa, can you bring me some Bakugans when you're on the way to give people some presents? Please do you know what presents I want? Do you know what Christmas is all about? It's about giving presents to somebody. And Santa, can you give me an outside pretend boat? It's a pirate boat, and you can sit in it. I saw it on a magazine.
Santa, I love you. I like how you say Ho Ho Ho. How do you get down the chimney? And guess what. I know some jokes. What did the ghosts give the monkeys to eat?...BOOnanas! Hahaha!
I want a couple of stuff. Maybe you don't know. There's a kind of one square Bakugan that I want. And a new book about Christmas. Maybe it would cost a lot of money. Maybe something like a checkers game that Daddy can know how they move.
Santa, could you bring me something that I really like that I don't have on my list, and can you try to know what they are? I think there is some presents I really like...and will be kind of fun to play with.
My brother Blake wants a stuffed dog and a blue bouncy ball. He likes your suit a lot. My sister Sadie wants a pink bunny and a bouncy ball and a girl toolbox set because Blake already has one.
Whenever it's Christmas, check my list twice. I'm gonna leave you some cookies, stocking ones. Have a safe trip. Buckle your seatbelt.
Love, Owen
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thanksgiving
This year, for Thanksgiving we went to Ohio and had dinner in Cincinnati on Thanksgiving Day. We've gone to Ohio to visit my family for Thanksgiving every year since we've been married, and I thank Tim for conceding this holiday to me. Thanksgiving with my side. Easter with his side. Here are some other things I am thankful for this year in no particular order (except for the first one):
1. Of course, my children. They are incredible kids, and my world would be a shade of dim without them.
2. We have enough. We are not living high on the hill and money gets tight, but when it comes down to it, we have what we need. And in an economical year like this one, I appreciate that on a new level.
3. The play yard gate. This massive baby gate is our saving grace on most days. We have half of the basement baby proofed and stocked with toys. I still have to be on my toes, but it is a million times easier with that gate.
4. My parents who have been so supportive in many ways this year.
5. Facebook. I know it seems silly, but for me staying home would have been very isolating without a way to interact with friends and family as the chaos allows.
6. Tim. He is a great friend, dad, and partner.
7. Digital camera. So glad that I can take 50 thousand pictures in order to get one keeper. It's nice to be able to document this time so easily.
1. Of course, my children. They are incredible kids, and my world would be a shade of dim without them.
2. We have enough. We are not living high on the hill and money gets tight, but when it comes down to it, we have what we need. And in an economical year like this one, I appreciate that on a new level.
3. The play yard gate. This massive baby gate is our saving grace on most days. We have half of the basement baby proofed and stocked with toys. I still have to be on my toes, but it is a million times easier with that gate.
4. My parents who have been so supportive in many ways this year.
5. Facebook. I know it seems silly, but for me staying home would have been very isolating without a way to interact with friends and family as the chaos allows.
6. Tim. He is a great friend, dad, and partner.
7. Digital camera. So glad that I can take 50 thousand pictures in order to get one keeper. It's nice to be able to document this time so easily.
Horrible Parenting Gone Wild
So a while back, I fell asleep watching The Daily Show. In the middle of the night, Owen got up to go to the bathroom and decided to check and see if I was home from teaching class. I had been through a long day and was completely exhausted, so I didn't even notice that he was laying over me.
Meanwhile, Tim had heard Owen get up, but never heard him go back to bed, so thankfully he got up to search the house for the little guy. I woke up to, "Jess! What are you doing!?" Dazed and confused, I found Owen, mouth agape, staring at a commercial for Girls Gone Wild. I was horrified! I don't even let him watch superhero cartoons, and here he was getting quite the eyeful of drunken idiots. I rummaged for the remote as fast as I could and turned the stupid thing off, but you just can't make a kid un-see things. Tim said Owen must have been downstairs for 5 minutes. We asked Owen what he saw, and he said that the people were acting bad. We agreed with him and asked him if he should have watched. He got embarrassed. He knew he shouldn't have, although I don't know of any kids who wouldn't watch at all. The new rule in our house for parents is set the sleep timer on the TV. For kids, if it's bad, turn it off.
Meanwhile, Tim had heard Owen get up, but never heard him go back to bed, so thankfully he got up to search the house for the little guy. I woke up to, "Jess! What are you doing!?" Dazed and confused, I found Owen, mouth agape, staring at a commercial for Girls Gone Wild. I was horrified! I don't even let him watch superhero cartoons, and here he was getting quite the eyeful of drunken idiots. I rummaged for the remote as fast as I could and turned the stupid thing off, but you just can't make a kid un-see things. Tim said Owen must have been downstairs for 5 minutes. We asked Owen what he saw, and he said that the people were acting bad. We agreed with him and asked him if he should have watched. He got embarrassed. He knew he shouldn't have, although I don't know of any kids who wouldn't watch at all. The new rule in our house for parents is set the sleep timer on the TV. For kids, if it's bad, turn it off.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Halloween
Cute little monsters aren't they?
This Halloween we went to the Yates house for dinner and trick or treating. They have become our friends over this last year. We met when Sam and Owen were in preschool together. Terri and I had the babies less than a month apart and took turns walking the big boys into school. The boys became great buds, we had some play dates, and now we've got real family friends of our very own.
Trick or treating with them was so much better than just going it on our own. I remember going as a group when I was little, all the neighborhood kids in a big bunch. It was a blast back then, and thanks to the Yates, this year was just like that. Terri invited a bunch of friends from preschool (even though Owen doesn't go there anymore, he still likes to see those guys), we had chili and hot dogs, acted silly and LOUD, and eventually made it out the door for some candy...except most of the houses were either not participating or had the bowl on the front step. The adults were all a little disappointed in this, but the kids could have cared less, and we had enough candy anyway. Blake fell asleep about 3 minutes in. Sadie stayed awake, but barely. Can't wait until next year!
We tried to get everyone in a picture, but they were too excited to sit still. Here's my best shot out of like 20. Owen went as Spiderman this year, it's not my first pick because I feel like he's a little too young for all that kind of stuff, but I guess I'm wrong. He did look pretty cute in his little muscle man suit.
We tried to get everyone in a picture, but they were too excited to sit still. Here's my best shot out of like 20. Owen went as Spiderman this year, it's not my first pick because I feel like he's a little too young for all that kind of stuff, but I guess I'm wrong. He did look pretty cute in his little muscle man suit. 
The kids were so done with taking pictures. Here's about half of the crew. Owen was so excited about his light up shoes because it was the first time he got to wear them at night, and it was the first pair I've ever let him get. I'm a basic style shoe kind of person, so Owen just got lucky that we only had 10 minutes until the store closed the last time we were at Stride Rite Outlet. 
Good dads taking turns with the strollers. Two out of three were asleep. The boys were so excited they literally walked INTO a couple of houses when the people opened their doors. All of us parents were yelling from behind the strollers, "Get back! Take turns! Calm down!" which was kind of a lost cause. Speaking of which, the last house we went to was back to the Yates's, but a real live witch had snuck in to try to scare little boys. Didn't work, but it was fun. 
Throughout October since Owen's not in school and we were in need of some quiet activities while the babies were sleeping, we made a haunted house. We worked on different parts each day like salt dough ghosts, pumpkin pie dough pumpkins, paper bag trees, and diaper box house. Nice to spend some time being creative with my little buddy.
Blake and Sadie's First Birthday
Okay, well, yes, their birthday was in September, but I got behind on the blog. Eh, whatcha gonna do? So, back in September, we had the twins' first birthday party which was a lot like Owen's first party. We had family over, and I cooked: ham, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Again, I probably went a little overboard, but honestly I really enjoy it. It was Yo Gabba Gabba themed because they dance around to the music on that show, and it worked out pretty well for a girl and a boy. I made t-shirts, decorations, and gabba-fied the presents. I think having decorations and little details makes the day feel out of the ordinary and special. I'm not Martha Stewart. I don't sacrifice enjoying myself in order to have everything perfect - just special. I'd probably even do it more often, but our house had a hard time accommodating even our little birthday crowd. It's not like the babies cared this year, but I love knowing that one day they'll have fun pictures to look back on. This first year with Blake and Sadie has been...a challenge...a test...a blessing. I love them so much. They've added so much to our family. 
One of the big presents from Mommy and Daddy was this teeter totter. I thought it was such a great idea for twins. It turned out I was right because they play on it everyday, but they also fall off of it everyday too. Maybe I should have waited a while on this one. 
We did cake outside to spread out the crowd, and hey, our house is carpeted. Owen was so excited to help. I think he really got into the idea of doing something special for someone else. He likes the role of big brother and felt just as special as he would have if it were his birthday.
Sadie didn't care much for the cake or ice cream (guess she's more of a chocolate girl like me). Blake, however, LOVED the ice cream. He didn't feel like waiting for Tim to give him a bite with the spoon. Just shove it all in, right?
Ha ha, glad Tim was the one holding Blake. I got the neat one this time.
One of the big presents from Mommy and Daddy was this teeter totter. I thought it was such a great idea for twins. It turned out I was right because they play on it everyday, but they also fall off of it everyday too. Maybe I should have waited a while on this one. 
We did cake outside to spread out the crowd, and hey, our house is carpeted. Owen was so excited to help. I think he really got into the idea of doing something special for someone else. He likes the role of big brother and felt just as special as he would have if it were his birthday.Sadie didn't care much for the cake or ice cream (guess she's more of a chocolate girl like me). Blake, however, LOVED the ice cream. He didn't feel like waiting for Tim to give him a bite with the spoon. Just shove it all in, right?
Ha ha, glad Tim was the one holding Blake. I got the neat one this time.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Owenisms #4
While playing Bakugans, Tim said, "I'm pretending there are no bad guys." Owen looked at him, annoyed, "No Dad. You mean you're not pretending."
"I made up a joke. How do strawberries walk?...Somebody carries them."
Joke. "Why does the guy on a rope carry two things in each hand? Because that way he's balanced!" More of a fact than a joke really. Other fact "jokes". "Why are we sitting at the table? To eat!" "Why does a penguin walk funny? Because his legs are short."
I said the word butt. Owen shook his head at me. "Mom, you just said a bad word, and Santa probably heard you, so now you're not going to get anything for Christmas."
Owen LOVES to play Connect 4 - a lot! (Please Santa, bring him some new games already.) At Thanksgiving in Cincinnati, he was playing with my 21-year-old cousin, Ben, a really smart guy. Owen won two rounds and said, "Didn't cha ever play before?" He wasn't being snotty, just genuinely asking. Ben said that the last time he played was when he was little. Owen felt so sorry for him and goes, "Oh, but you never won?"
Speaking of Connect 4, Tim won a game against Owen and started doing a dance around the room. Owen was so disappointed in his Dad's behavior. He goes, "Dad, that's bragging. Bragging is when you cheer for yourself too much. It's not being a good sport." Good lesson Owen. But, by the way, Tim doesn't always win and we don't usually just let Owen win unless we're just trying to finish up so we can do something else with our lives. Owen has just gotten pretty good at the game and honestly wins just about as much as we do!
Yesterday he was pretending that our entire house was driving to the North Pole so that we could visit with Santa and the elves. He'd say, "Did you feel that bump?" According to him, the trip would take 25 hours and we would not be required to work in the workshop, just visit. I think he got this idea from a combo of Disney's Up and various Christmas movies.
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