Book of Mom 1:30

And lo and behold, there was at this time, no crying at drop off.

And the heavens did open and hosts of heavenly angels did sing hallelujah and praises to God.

Yeah, and it came to pass that there was all manner of rejoicing in the land.

Winter blues

January is almost over. It has felt like a very long journey. And it has been - the journey back to our routine. I didn't realize the holiday break would upset so much of our normalcy but we've jumped right to the waking at night (ugh), the crying at drop off (worst thing ever), the constant gray and rain (sigh), and no extended family in sight (boo).

I'm convinced this combination could bring down an empire, much less an anxiety-prone mama.

So, I forgive myself for feeling bleak and tired of it all. I'm back on medication and determined to take it regularly for a while - for all our sakes.

Mexico is next week and we are all excited (maybe not Henry yet). I am praying for a healthy family, relaxing days of beach fun, smooth travel, and a much less arduous transition back into our lives after this break.

I love you all so much.

Mama

Things kids say

From Lucy:

• Patterine = pattern as in "I think I'll bite my toast into a patterine."
• On Martin Luther King Junior = "Oh yes, he was a man of peace and kindness."
• On technology = "Text daddy and ask him to get that movie from the Internet to watch on the iPad."
• On travel = "When we go to Mexico, I'll wear special glasses so when I swim underwater, I can see fish and mermaids.
• On chores = "but I really wish I could snap like Marry Poppins."
• On the likelihood (slim) of a peaceful teen-mom relationship = "Mom, everything you say makes me so angry."
• On sibling relations = "But he likes it."
• "Say stop growing." = you want to play the game where I scold you for growing and try to think of ways to keep you small such as locking you in a tower or not feeding you. Silly, sweet girl.
• "I could kill myself I love it so much." = Wow. You sure are listening to everything people say around you.
• "I tooted in my own face." = Toddler humor. I don't get it but you sure do.
• "But mama, I'm just confused about this." = One of many bedtime stall tactics.
• "I love you more and more and more." = music in my ears. And back at you!

From Henry:

• Tundell = tunnell, important to shout this if one is spotted. The louder the better.
• No. Good. Danks. = perfectly timed one-word sentences. Love.
• Mommy, let's play trains! = frequent request.
• Night, night = favorite game of laying down and hiding under a blanket or pillow while I search and find you.
• Oh no, oh no! = another favorite game, said while crashing things together and making a mess of whatever is in the vicinity.
• Mama, watch dis! = said before doing a "trick" such as jumping on two feet or making a cool pose. Repeat 20-30 times in a row.
• One, three, four, five, six, seven! = counting is getting better, sometimes getting into the teens. Important that the final number sounds like a triumphant, much like ta-da!
• Trikator = spider, you are fascinated with their webs.
• I wanna whole Jew = pick me up, please. No relation to the religion or race.
• Mao weed = married. Two things kissing: dolls, trucks, bites of food. Quite a chaste definition!
• I wan milky milks = request for breast milk. My milk supply is nearly gone but I think we both like the holds and oh my - for a few moments every day, you still feel like (and look like!) a baby.
• "Bwess you, daddy." "Tank you, wucy." "Help, peas." = consistent, sweet manners! Almost impressive until you start pulling hair and take a bite out of my shoulder.
• "Poopy head. Poopy head." = Said to be funny. Said when frustrated. Said to answer a question when you don't like either option given. Said when I'm giving you the stern look after you've done something bad. Said - a lot! Apparently the go to, naughty phrase du jour.

Welcome home, to crazy

Hi guys.

We got back a few weeks ago after our whirlwind cousins tour. Yes, it was a rip-rourin' great time for all.

And since then, things haven't quite calmed down. Lots of missed naps and nonstop whining. Lots of "poopy poop" talk. Lots of begging to "watch a little show" and have a binky at all times. And lots of ~~ true horror ~~ crying at drop off. Ugh.

This morning was all of those things. To which I found myself yelling and pleading for help. Big time. Fail.

I am so defeated.

I really wish I were better at this.

So, are you close to settling back in? Do I rearrange our lives and start over? What? Tell me, before I end up more crazy and you end up like this guy...

And not a good sign that I'm googling kid and duct tape.

Love,

Your crazy mama

Papa with eels

Batman vs. Superman? Pshaw. We've got the best superhero right here in our own family.

From the front page of the Lewiston paper today.