Today was busy

Tatya sleeps next to me, breathing almost imperceptibly the way only small babies do, and I will do some updates.

What a day. I skipped the 9:30 MOM's event for which I RSVP'd "yes" because Mikey had the bathroom problems which ended in a diaper rash (which you can get even when wearing cotton underpants). It did take us all morning to get everyone fed and bathed and clothed and presentable for an outing with dad while mom sat in the dentist chair listening to the first really interesting woman I have met so far in Cheyenne. Linda.

I know practically everything there is to know now. Her best friend had a granola upbringing, while she came from the midwest somewhere very Catholic with 13 Catholic churches and nearly as many Catholic schools. She has lost a sibling, is somewhat estranged from her strange mother, and is not appreciated for calling a spade a spade. Her only son is coming for dinner and she "will see" how that goes.

This lady is interesting because she told me her entire family history, a recipe for chickory with almond milk and stevia as a coffee substitute, and knew that I had been raised someplace without flouride in the water. She knew also that I had many sibblings by something I said which could not have been much because I was at the dentist. The most interesting conversation in a while.

When I got home of course I was hungry and couldn't eat so fed the baby who had gone without nursing for like 3 hours, and just listened while the boys proceded to hide everything they could find behind a pair of speakers in the living room. And whoever at Rose Art or Crayola who though up the idea of those fistfull of markers that make animal noises when you close them, it doesn't work. They just find the tiney little trigger and carry the open fist size marker everywhere while it says "mooo" or something. Those were all over the living room when I came out of Grandma's room.

When Rosie got home, I asked her to put every toy and marker in a large clear plastic bin for me, while I started dinner and Mikey screamed, "Don't take my toys to donate!" Was i that maniacle? How many times had I threatened to just pick up the mess and take it all to the Goodwill for some one who wants it?

Dinner was pork tenderloin cooked on the grill with asparagus and biscuits then off to the soccer game. I have to say Rosa did not play with enthusiasm, and I think she is under the weather (because she said she had a runny nose and I saw her coughing, maybe allergies to spring). Mikey has a girlfriend her sits on her soccer ball while he tries to play and asks him questions. He gave her one of his snacks, and asked her her name then said, "say it louder, I can't uderstand."

Tommy got cold playing in the evening wind, and he was very cranky. Unless it happened while I was at the dentist there was no nap. We went throught a drive through for coffee and cookies on the way home, and made plans for Uncle Jes to come this weekend. Rosie has her last game Saturday.

This week I went through a little self aware moment - group of days - wondering about many things developmental. Most of this began with a comment made by the therapists/ teachers of Thomas' Sweetpea class.

I was picking him up Tuesday last when it became clear Mikey (age 3) really needed to go to the bathroom. I asked one of the ladies to hold Tatya while I helped Mikey. As mom's know, 3 yo's need some assistance still in the bathroom department. I showed Mikey the little potty and the little stool in front of the sink. I took a new pair of underpants from his backpack and left him to negotiate the procedure for a minute.

When I went back to where the 3 ladies and the other toddlers sat in a circle on the rug singing the good bye for now song to oneanother, I saw the ladies exchange this look as if they were deciding whether or not to say something. I just raised my eyebrow, in an effort to say, "this is the nicest way I can possibly ask you what it is..."

The one holding Tatya, began.

"How old is this baby?"
"THERESA is 6 months almost seven."
"Oh. She's not sitting up very well on her own...does this concern you?"
"Not until just now..."

By then, Mikey emerged from the little boys and girls room with a shirt and red socks on, nothing more.
"Did you need some help in there, honey?"

So I helped him dress and wash and flush and toss with an audience of two palpably mobile and verbal little girls. Then,
I went back to the goodbye for now circle of goodness to collect my other two children and walk very slowly back to the car, as mother's of two year olds do.

I took the phone number "in case you wanted to have her evaluated." I didn't mention her surgery down there, or her upcoming sedated scan which will tell us if she needs another surgery to free her tailbone to determine if she will maintain use of her legs for the rest of her life...Thanks, Ladies at Stride Learning Center.

Here are some photos of Tatya sitting rather wobly, while playing with Rosie and Mikey on the sofa.

update one - walking talking and potty training

Mike and Tommy walkin

We worked outside this weekend, and the house inside is a wreck.  Tommy enjoys walking around with Mike and sort of discussing things, like to the left there is "blue ball" and I think he is pointing out a spot I weeded the day before.  He is now in the sweetpeas class twice a week for 2 hours.  They are so cute because everyone sings when it is pickup time. He is not afraid to be left, and I think he wants to go more often, because he asks to be driven to "teacher."

His brother, however, is jealous.  He wants to go to school too, but he is of a certain age (3) where he would have to have far fewer accidents to be allowed in a regular 3 year old class (at St. Mary's anyway).  We'll see what I can find, our options are limited by the size of  the city and the fact that the facilities on base are full, but most of all I do not want to send Mikey to a private home.  That would defeat the purpose: socialization.  I can look  after him at home.  I want him to meet kids, and interact with other adults who expect him to follow rules too.

update one - walking talking and potty training

Mike and Tommy walkin

We worked outside this weekend, and the house inside is a wreck.  Tommy enjoys walking around with Mike and sort of discussing things, like to the left there is "blue ball" and I think he is pointing out a spot I weeded the day before.  He is now in the sweetpeas class twice a week for 2 hours.  They are so cute because everyone sings when it is pickup time. He is not afraid to be left, and I think he wants to go more often, because he asks to be driven to "teacher."

His brother, however, is jealous.  He wants to go to school too, but he is of a certain age (3) where he would have to have far fewer accidents to be allowed in a regular 3 year old class (at St. Mary's anyway).  We'll see what I can find, our options are limited by the size of  the city and the fact that the facilities on base are full, but most of all I do not want to send Mikey to a private home.  That would defeat the purpose: socialization.  I can look  after him at home.  I want him to meet kids, and interact with other adults who expect him to follow rules too.

this is Winky from violastudio on Etsy. I love they idea of combining media, especially upcycling old clothes, and sweaters, vintage books and fabrics, embroidery and sewing made new. I have seen some really cute and inspiring crafts.

The idea is that I can somehow balance what I can handle making myself with what I buy hand made. Handmade baby things are the best, especially because it is still the time when I get to choose.

Right now I am looking for a "how to" on shrinky dinks made from recycled plastic berry containers and the other similar plastic "trash". You sand them then color them with pencils and bake at a low temperature.

I need the specifics though; the article I read said which # plastic; tempurature and duration in the oven...

more cute spring goodies

WILDFLOWER Seed Handmade Recycled Paper by ClaudiasCreations

Handmade Toys on Etsy - Wooden Rocking Motorcycle by mjbgifts

Day of Platitudes

Yesterday was a day in platitudes: making the bed became a symbolic gesture synopsized in one brief if/then idea; gardening the spirit of renewal. I feel the song on the radio like an adolescent and feel the season's change, a verge in my emotional being. This would be good, so in touch with the world around me, but I have learned that one thing leads to another for me.

There is no enjoying self awareness and emotional reactivity, even though with it comes energy and creativity, when, deep within my mind I know what follows. A certain gloom or absence of any emotion, tiredness, fatigue and lack of interest or pleasure in much of anything.

Child-rearing can be hard and full of small regrets, some of which become larger. I will say I regret losing my temper or raising my voice with Rosa and Mikey. I have this nagging belief that over time they will learn to try and judge the mood of their parent which a child should not have to do. I feel that at times I sound too harsh and of course there were better words to use, better ways.

Desiree is beautiful as is Wyoming.

sublime stiching - Jenny Hart is awesome

this Austin girl knows what she is doing and cool too.  Her site has patterns, books, calender of events, textiles and more.



Sublime Stitching | This ain't your gramma's embroidery!

While Mother Mary Prays

Blissfully, solemnly holding baby Jesus in her arms cast white porcelain Mother Mary prays over the button and bead flowers that my Rosa made for me at least four mothers days ago.  I think to myself that somewhere I have a digital photo, but I have over 13,000 poorly labeled digital images spanning two laptops and an external drive.  Why keep them if I cannot find them?  I go through this thought process often re: linens, art supplies, gift wrap and craft supplies, spices in the kitchen cabinet and even clothes in the closet.

Mothers' day is as good as any time to reexamine the goals I set out in the beginning of the year.  The simple list, as one reader commented, of not so simple tasks.  Almost to the halfway point I am ready to regroup and see how I am doing (there is a word for this...).