The last full week of summer - WAH!

"It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't. " ~Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams




Isn't *THAT* the truth? Today was one of those days where I could LITERALLY pull all of my hair out and it would be less painful than parenting these two older boys. What did they do, you say? What didn't they do is a much, much better question.



Honestly, they just need to go back to school. Such a bittersweet thing for me to say though, because we really have had such a fun summer. We've played, watched movies, gone to movies, had playdates, gone to the parks, swam at the pool, swam in the ocean, visited the zoo and on and on and on. Today they did what two brothers do who have just had too much togetherness. They fought, they wrestled, they called each other names - all kinds of activities in that vein. They acted horrific in stores and cried when I denied them a trip for ice cream because of it.



What did we do today? We were lazy until after lunch (in large part because of the baby's LONG nap!) and then we ran a couple of errands. (Babies R Us and Costco if you *MUST* know) We lounged a bit more while I made some PTA phone calls and emails. We headed to the pool for a short dip. We ate dinner and went to Campbell's soccer practice. SOCCER has begun. For the next 4 months we will eat, sleep and breathe soccer - until the brand new, gleaming white (odd, huh?) cleats are caked with mud and are run into the ground.



What did the baby do today? He ate some pasta and some broccoli. He "yelled" at his brothers (trying to mimic Andy and I) for what seemed like an eternity. He smiled and he smiled some more. He tried sitting in the grass but made it clear it wasn't his favorite place to be. He stood up, unassisted, while holding onto the ottoman. First he started crawling a few days ago, now he's standing. UGH.

Prepare for the baby who is FULL up on cheese!

{The biggest brother who gives me the most amount of grief. Yet, he's quick, smart and quite clever. He make me laugh, when he's not sending me over the edge! Here he's looking at the book he's chosen to read before bed.}

That cheesetastic face the baby is giving is one of his favorites lately. Guess who used to make a similar face? You got it, his bigger, bigger brother Campbell. It's wildly adorable and completely takes me back to when Cam was a baby. I love that.

An update tomorrow because I must chronical our last full week of summer bliss.

The difference a week can make

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." --Michael Althsuler

If you've actually read this blog, you'll know that I have a serious love-hate relationship with my baby getting bigger.

I couldn't love him one more bit than I do. He's the joy and every other good thing on this planet. He's exactly what I wished and hoped for. He's the BABY. Every milestone, every smile, every diaper change is nearly perfect and I'm enjoying every single moment and breath he takes.

I over looked so many things that the other two did, I waited for every new development - I learned my lesson though and learned to enjoy every single moment of BABY because it's over FAR TOO SOON. I savor his gooeyness (yes it is a word!) and his smiles, I savor his temper tantrums and his hair pulling. I just savor every moment I get to spend with him.

If there is anything that I've learned as a parent in 6.75 years it's that the time is gone in a blink of an eye. Soon, they are smarter than you and sass more than you like. Their hand is no longer small inside of yours and you need an excuse to hold it. You can no longer spell things like "candy" or "treat" because they know what that means. You never lose your memories but they do begin to slip away.

But, friends, it's that thinking I'm trying to let go of. I'm trying to embrace all I do have control over, hence the savoring every moment. I'm enjoying my moments and loving the opportunities I have to stroke sunbleached hair and the smoothest skin. I kiss frequently and try to laugh as much as possible. I don't get mad when Sawyer pulls and bends the HIDEOUS curain rods in our bedroom. I want the curtains and valances gone anyway, and even though they look even more ghetto - they were uglier than ugly to start.

That was a serious tangent. My whole point today was this -- a week can make a huge difference to an 8.75 month old baby.

Last week at this time, the baby could rock back and forth on his hands and knees with serious gusto. This week, he can crawl!

Last week, the baby could chomp down on cheerios that you put in his mouth. (Watch out for those small little teeth! He delights in biting flesh!) This week, he can actually get the Cheerios into his mouth himself! (He could pick them up last week - he just couldn't figure out how to let them go in his mouth!)

Last week, he found great delight in watching us use signs for certain words. This week, he's signing "more" himself! (True to baby form, he's signing his own version. But, it's actually very close to the real thing!)

Last week the baby was doing all kinds of babbling, laughing and screaming - including sounds like dada, googoo, baba, etc. This week, he's saying MAMA! (My heart SINGS!)

Last week, I was still using disposable wipes for diaper changes at home. Now I'm using a solution of water and baby soap and baby washcloths! LOVE them!

Hooray for the baby. Hooray for the momma that gets to watch and love this baby grow into a boy and then a man. I'm so very lucky.

{BEWARE OF THE GRAIN!}

Today Campbell is on a playdate and his friend Cameron's house. Then, this afternoon we are meeting my aunt Gini and they are spending the night with them. Gini is the sister and mom I never had, rolled into one. My kids ADORE her - they have a wonderfully special relationship. It could be that she is the fun/indulgent/giving/did I say indulgent Aunt/Grandma that they will never have - but it could just be her loving heart and giving spirit. We are all so very lucky to have her.

Am I a sap today or what?

earth shaking

"It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake." -- Frederick Douglass

We had a little rumble today, in case you spent the day under a rock. Pretty much immediately this news was splashed all over - including CNN. Pretty much everyone under the sun was immediately sensationalizing the story and making jokes about it. We felt it, I saw the evidence of the garage door, the van and the pool all rocking. (Pretty much in that order)

Luckily though, I'd already been through a 4.7 with an epicenter about 1.5 miles from my front door. So, this 5.8 from about 20 miles away (that is a guess of mileage) seemed a little more mild. Still a bit freaky though!

In as big of news, it's official! Harrison is crawling! It's off to a slow start but, like everything else, he's getting bigger faster than I like. He doesn't crawl across the room or anything, but he will go a foot or two at a time. One would think I would have considered getting a gate. Eh, all in due time, I suppose.

No pictures today...sad, but true. I mean, I have a life!

My preference

“Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach.” -- Michelle Held

Isn't that the truth? I prefer to post updates more often. If not every day, then every other day. The last few days I honestly, have not had the time or ability to post what's been going on around here.

Thursday we had my friend Cara and her girls over to play a little bit - I also took some photos of her daughters. It was super fun and we got a few good shots that I'm happy with. They aren't big bucks great, but they are pretty good - and it's great practice for me. I spent most of my free time the next day and a half in front of my computer.

Since then I've played bunco with friends, my aunt and cousins came to visit, Andy and I went out to dinner (ALONE!) and we went to the beach.

How we love the beach so! We went back to Newport Beach with 2 other families and spent a couple of evening hours. The boys had fun frolicking and playing - the boogie boards both got a lot of use. Harrison loved digging in the sand and playing with Emma. The air was cool, the sky cloudy and the water warm. All perfect conditions for a summer day.

So, it's been a fun few days! We're trying to make the most of our last days of summer. Something like 16 more days. Where does the time go? At least we feel like we REALLY made the most of our vacation.

*so good*

"This feels like my best day ever." - Sawyer Henry M.

Just when I thought that these kids didn't appreciate all of the fun things we do for them, Sawyer goes and says that.

Alright, I'm not *that* deluded, he doesn't exactly appreciate all of the fun things we do for them, even on laundry day. (Which at 1015 pm, I'm still not done with. In case you cared, I'm running a pre-rinse on diapers and they still need a wash and an extra rinse, as always. then, I still have another load of towels to do)

Today was the banner day that "felt like the best day ever". We got up this morning and went to the movies with some friends. Then, we had lunch at Wendy's. (Sawyer's favorite friend was there) Then, we came home and watched a few episodes of SpongeBob (even though Andy has banned them from watching him) while the baby napped. Once the baby roused himself, we headed to our friends house for some fun in his pool. As if that weren't all enough (because honestly, any one of those things sounds like a *good* day) we had Sawyer's favorite dinner, spaghetti. (Lets be honest. Aside from take-out, there is nothing easier than cooking some spaghetti noodles and warming some bottled sauce!)

Whatever the occasion or reason, I will take the joyous statements like the above and run with them. I will let them warm my heart and soul, and I will just love them. Raising 3 boys can really be hard, but it's so very rewarding.

My baby:

My boy

"Whoever is happy will make others happy too." -- Anne Frank

Today was like all of the rest of our typical summer days. We had swim and a stop at the post office. We stayed home for the afternoon and had a swim after dinner. It was really a fine day until about 4pm. Then, it just all went out the window.

The boys have a loft of sorts, it looks like a castle with a twin on top (Cam's) and a double on the bottom. (Sawyer's) Occasionally, someone will jump off the top onto the bottom. Today, Sawyer did that, getting his shirt stuck on one of the pieces. Cam had to lift Sawyer's shirt off the bed in order for him to get down. Naturally, the shirt ripped.

After that, they found a bag of toys that they had acquired on our trip to Iowa. Then, they began writing all over their bodies with some tattoo markers they found in the bag. They thought they would write on their faces like football players. They really looked more like native Americans.

Cam put a single plastic step stool on top of a 2 step stepstool, got on the kitchen counter and pulled down all of the confiscated play weapons that were on top of our kitchen cupboards.

I could use a glass of wine.


The baby is up to some real fun these days. He's enjoying cheerios (he loves to eat them. getting them in his mouth is a bit of a struggle, however. he can pick them up but he can't figure out how to let go. He gets them in there, though...) and bananas. He still dislikes green beans.

He can get just about anywhere with rolling and is getting so close to crawling. He loves to get up on his toes, too! And I think I'm busy *NOW*.

The skinny on sawyer's allergies

Let me start off by doing *THE HAPPY DANCE* !! Sawyer had his scratch tests on Friday and amazingly, he is no longer allergic to any foods!! WOOO-FREAKING-HOOOOO!

Dairy, gone! Eggs, gone! Wheat, hardly an issue at all. Barely even registered as an allergy! YIPPEE!!! There were a couple of trees or something (and not typical southern california things!) but that was IT! Now, to get him to drink cows milk. (After drinking vanilla rice and soy milk for 5 years he's not quite into cow milk!)

The allergist is concerned that he has another allergic condition that we have to see the gastro doc about. I can deal with what is thrown our way, though. I'm just thrilled we're allergy FREE!

Go big or go home!

"The best days go fastest. Keep up." - on the door to Starbucks. (To clarify, I didn't actually go *in* Starbucks. It was just the meetup point for picking up Cam from todays playdate) The past 5 days have FLOWN by. They have gone faster than any days in recent memory - and I think that they all go fast.

First, I will warn you. (Amy) I only took a few pictures of our weekend in Vegas. There are a couple of cute snaps of Harrison - otherwise the older boys look fairly demonic. Oh well, it was fun and it'll live in our memories!

Friday, after the allergist (I'll save that quick and EUPHORIC update for tomorrow!) we got gas and headed out of town. It's only about 250 miles to Vegas but it takes FOR.EVER to get there. The traffic through the Cajon Pass is sloooooow moving and really makes the trip take longer. So, instead of 3 hours it takes about 5 hours. In those kind of conditions a stop is necessary - and anyone who knows me on a car trip - I *hate* to stop. (I don't hate much, either)

We pulled up to the Paris and we were thrilled at how fun it looked. We actually also had a European Vacation moment too -- "Look kids, Big Ben!". When we arrived our friends were sitting right outside the entrance waiting for us. this was a great way to start our super fun weekend!!

{The boys on Saturday morning. Charlie, Campbell, Anthony and Sawyer}

{We went to the Belaggio to watch the water show. Sawyer, Campbell and Charlie}

{Just because he's cute}

{Andy was SO HOT to take a picture with a showgirl or the like. Therefore, he used these french maids as his props}

There was a bidet in our room. that in itself is pretty funny. what is actually even funnier is that while checking out the room, the boys turned the thing on. oh yea, they did. and when they did, they were both standing right over it looking down at it. they both came out wet (the front of their hair) and laughing hysterically. Cam proceeded to tell us "It's filtered water. We could drink it." This is childhood at it's finest.

Seriously, this trip was enormous fun. We just had a fun time all weekend long and the hotel was great. It's wonderful to have such opportunities and friends.

Amy D.

Because apparently no one reads this blog but Amy, I'm going to happily write about my dear friend Amy. Thanks for the shout out Amy, I love knowing you read along -- it's great fun to read your comments. Thanks for reading and thanks for leaving comments!!

Amy is my friend who lives in Cincinnati, OH. (interesting side note. Amy actually lives in HARRISON - the third of our Cincinnati area namesake children has the same name as her little town!)We met when we both worked at the Compass School. We quickly became friends and Amy was even Campbell's first babysitter! Amy is married to John and mother to 15 month old Rylee. (I'm really looking forward to meeing Rylee in 2 months!)

Amy is a rabid Ohio State fan (go BUCKS!) and fun girl. I miss seeing her on a regular basis and hopefully our lives will be located closer to one another.

FUN!

To spice things up - a little reader participation. I'd like to make this an interactive blog.

LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THIS ENTRY sometime before Sunday afternoon when I return from Las Vegas. I will *randomly* choose one person who commented and discuss them. If I have pictures, they'll be there - a funny story, I'll include it - a bit of information, you guessed it!

It's fun and mindless - so do it!