Who the heck is Jamie?!

Apparently Liam....
That's right.  Our little blondie is no long "Deehl" as issued by his brother early on in his life.  This weekend Miles started barking orders at "Jamie", insisting that "Jamie" come along, and playing with "Jamie".  I really wish I could see what's going on in that kid's head.  At least we've moved on to an actual name.

Mantra

In an attempt to heighten my spiritual awareness, I'm reading a book right now about changing how I live my life. The chapter I read yesterday mentioned something to the effect that one does not need to pray long, drawn-out prayers throughout the day to be in a state of worship....that prayers can be short little phrases that are uttered throughout the day.  This constant dialogue is meant to sort of move God from just your "in case of emergency" contacts, and into #1 of your speed dial.  (That right there my friends is my clever analogy, in case you wanted to borrow it for any of your God-related analogy needs - you don't even have to ask permission.)  The book gave a list of all sorts of example phrases you could use.
But I've found my own go-to phrase. 
All day I've found myself saying it over and over again.  It's pretty simple really.... "Thank you."
Today when Dustin landed in Chicago safely and was on his way home.
Thank you.
When I woke up to a slumbering little boy that had tiptoed into my bed in the middle of the night.
Thank you.
That time when Miles and Liam were mimicking each other and laughing hysterically at dinner.
Thank you.
As Miles stood in front of the church today with other 2 yr olds, dancing like nobody was watching. (Which it should be noted here that he was not actually supposed to be dancing.)
Thank you.
When Liam shot me the most amazing smile when I walked into the nursery.
Thank you.
When I got to work outside in my yard.
Thank you.
When Dustin walked into our house after being out of state for days.
Thank you.
As I sat down to start Miles' Lifebook and reread all about his birthday.
Thank you.
Giving bedtime baths, jumping on bedtime beds, reading bedtime stories, and singing bedtime songs.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Enjoying my bedtime bowl of ice cream with M&Ms in a sleepy, silent house...
Thank you.

Chalk One Up for the Good Guys

This week I accomplished something that in my world is pretty amazing.  Liam got some sort of weird cold in his eye that I had never seen before.  By "weird" I mean gross, puffy, red, and crusty.  Dustin and I talked a little bit about taking him to the doctor, but it really didn't seem like much.  He wasn't complaining about it anyway - just when I'd jab a washcloth at it trying to make it look less gross.
Do you know what I did?  I can tell you what I didn't do...the thing I would typically do.  I didn't call my mom and ask her what I should do.  I didn't even call my sister-in-law nurse practitioner, as is my usual practice in pseudo emergencies.  I didn't describe it to my good friend Dawn who has ample experience in childhood illnesses and a similar casual parenting style to myself.  AND I didn't call the doctor.
So what did I do?  I thought back to my childhood and when I used to get nasty eye infections.  It started out with a stick being thrown from a great distance and landing in my eye by a certain younger brother that is to remain nameless, but was really mad at me at the time - probably for being more awesome than him...but I digress.  I remembered my mom putting vaseline on my eye.  Isn't that weird?  But that's what I did.  I didn't consult the internet or call a nurse-on-call.  I just did it.  On a whim.  Like that.  And it WORKED people.
Who's the "Good Guy" in the title?  Me.
Why is this significant?  Because I did something that came naturally to me as a mom.  I didn't ask for advice.  I just did it.
What does this mean?  That I obviously know everything there is to know about parenting.  I am obviously an expert.  And I obviously don't need advice.
Now I'm going to reward myself with a nice big bowl of ice cream for being so awesome.... right after I call my mom to ask her what she thinks about switching Liam from two naps to one, and checking the internet to see what the experts think of feeding hotdogs to my son.

What do you do on Friday night?

We had an exciting night of car ramp-making.  I actually can't even take credit for this awesome idea - I totally stole it from my friend Kimbo, who should be writing a blog about all of the awesome things she does with her son.  I would follow that.

Eventually there will be no reason for me to even get up in the morning with them...

 

One of them will be an artist so help me...

April 3rd, Miles' Family Day

It started out with these perfect cupcakes from one of my very talented students.

Next there was a carousel ride with some fancy horses and big smiles.

Presents from mom and dad.

Then a picky eater loving some Chap-Chae and tofu.

The perfect day for a silly boy...my handsome, wild, hyper, fast, and giggling silly boy.

Movie Monday: Channeling Justin Bieber

 

With lead vocals by the very talented yet very infamous Mom and Dad.

Two years ago...

from this moment....
I was in a hotel room with a new baby...
...trying to figure out why he might be crying...
...because I had only met him one other time...
...and I didn't know anything about him...
...or anything about 10 month olds...
...especially those that weren't familiar with my language...
...and I wasn't familiar with theirs...
...who had been raised by another mother...
...and was now my child...
...and I was already in love...
...even though I was nervous and scared...
...at this idea of an "instant family"...
...but the truth was that you had been in my heart far longer than just that moment...
...and you will be in my heart for as long as I have breath...
...and life...and even beyond that.