Saturday my husband Kevin and I decided to make a last minute shopping trip to Dayton. We had several returns/switches to make from Christmas Gifts. The children's clothes needed to be exchanged for a larger size. We also thought being the end of the winter 'clothing' season in the stores, that we may be able to get some good bargains.
It was a great drive down, the kids both fell sound to sleep - Olivia has learned a new noise she now zerberts - spits - constantly. She is very proud every time she does it - it's usually followed with a big ole smile. So she does this until falling asleep and Gavin soon follows.
We make it to elderbeerman and we make our trades/returns and buy a ton of clothes for the two little ones, good deals - steals really. Then over to the men's department - and as Kevin is trying on some clothes - I have both kids, and I decide that if we keep walking throughout the store that Gavin will keep busy and not get into any trouble - well it isn't long and he demands that I hold him (we have only a single stroller and Olivia is seated inside) So there I am carrying one on my hip and pushing the other - and of coarse by this time we are on the other side of the department store.. when I realize I can come up with a game.
I tell Gavin that we are going to march - he loves to march - so quickly he gets down and stands on the ground I said - he has to march right next to the stroller - if i stop so does he... so there we are and he is shouting "March. March. March. March... do the March March March" and then suddenly I would stop the stroller and yell stop.... and he stops... then I'd start back up and he would start back up. slow down speed up. you get the point... this worked wonderfully. I knew where he was at. and he was excited to "play"
a few ladies standing in the women's department began to giggle and tell me how precious he is... and I look down and suddenly i stop in my tracks - red faced I realize he has pealed the pants stickers off of my pants and Kevin's and has stuck one across his forehead and one across his chest - with out even knowing it - he has been marching around the entire store... with my size stamped all over his body... wow... what a MOM moment.
following this store we then decide we need to go somewhere to let him burn some energy off before heading home. We drove around, for what seemed forever, in circles looking for Chucky Cheese - we had never gone before but thought it would be nice, Gavin could run around a bit and we could get Olivia out of her car seat and she would just enjoy looking around at all the kids and lights and such.
Well we found it - and no more than we pull in the parking lot - we both look towards each other, it was clear we would not be walking into that place. It was a Saturday night at 5:30, bad planning on our part - the place was packed. Kevin makes the suggestion that we go to mall and let him run around in the kids play area. Excellent idea I thought - he can burn some energy off, we can go to the food court and get a quick supper and the play area is free.
Well we got there - and of coarse the store we parked in front of was on the wrong end of the mall for the play area - so we got our exercise in and began walking to the other end of it. Gavin clenched onto Kevin as he carried him and I pushed Olivia in the stroller - I asked Gavin what was wrong. He answered quickly - " I scared mommy" and buried his head in Kevin's shoulder.
Poor little guy - we finally reached the play area and Kevin told me to just leave the kids with him and go up stairs and get us some steak escape subs. So I headed on up and as I looked back Gavin was just getting his shoes off.
.....
Heading back down the escalator I noticed that Gavin is still sitting in the exact same position he was when I went up - here Kevin quickly explains that Gavin no longer thinks the play area is fun - he now finds all the new kids and strangers - scary....
oh..... he is two.. and learning.... Kevin let me know that Gavin would not leave his lap. I said, well since he isn't playing do you want to go back upstairs in the food area and sit at a table and eat. Kevin agreed and we gathered the socks and shoes - coats, diaper bag, stroller, food, and drink and headed up the elevator.
If someone would of told me that this would of been the wisest move ever I wouldn't of believed them, but it was amazing...
the time in the food court is unforgettable. First of all the subs were amazing and we sat next to all the quarter machine rides and Gavin was at the perfect age that he just climbed and played on them for a half hour at least. NO QUARTERS NEEDED..... what made the adventure that much better on the second floor there was a choo choo train, large enough that a man drove it and pulled a little string that made a aloud choo chooo sound and smoke exited the large smoke stack in the front. following his cart was three little carry cabooses... that kids could pay three dollars to ride on.
by seven thirty we realized it was time to go and we had wanted to stop at Once Upon a Child before heading home, we hurried up cleaned up our mess - hit the bathrooms and headed for our long walk across the mall back to our van.
As we were leaving the mall parking lot my son says... "mum... i excited" i said awe whys that hunny and he says " I like the choo choo train house"
apparently - to a two year old - that's exactly what the mall is... a giant choo choo house!
My Kids
The real way to show love
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
cold day
This morning while rushing around the house getting ready I walked past the living room to see in the corner of my eye my two year old sitting on top of his toy box just gazing out side the window. I decided to slow down a bit and see what was going on in that little mind of his, I walk over and say "what are you doing" and he says... snow mom? as if he wasn't quite sure. I answered with a yes! (A lot of it actually, the schools are delayed and there is at least 4-5 inches out there.) Do you like snow Gavin?
No! Snow Cold! - that's my boy! I continued on my way and finished gathering all the things for today at the sitters - and he has started to take of his jammies and say - I need clothes mom - it's cold! .... so for the first time today he took off his jammies on his own and got a shirt on! I helped with the pants.. but he was proud. Then after that socks and shoes and finally a coat. We started loading the van. All ready just about to back out of the driveway... and MOM----- COLD!!!!!!! I NEED MY SNOW STUFF.
I didn't know what he was talking about at first until it hit me, that he wanted me to grab the bag of snow gear - boots and all from the laundry room. I ran in quick and grabbed it. Who knows the babysitters kids may be home all day today - SNOW DAY.... COLD DAY.
No! Snow Cold! - that's my boy! I continued on my way and finished gathering all the things for today at the sitters - and he has started to take of his jammies and say - I need clothes mom - it's cold! .... so for the first time today he took off his jammies on his own and got a shirt on! I helped with the pants.. but he was proud. Then after that socks and shoes and finally a coat. We started loading the van. All ready just about to back out of the driveway... and MOM----- COLD!!!!!!! I NEED MY SNOW STUFF.
I didn't know what he was talking about at first until it hit me, that he wanted me to grab the bag of snow gear - boots and all from the laundry room. I ran in quick and grabbed it. Who knows the babysitters kids may be home all day today - SNOW DAY.... COLD DAY.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
the email
the phone call - the dreaded phone call, you pick up the call longing to talk to the person on the other line just as your two year old is longing to be held "hold me mom" and then followed by " i talk" " i say hi" Gavin LOVES PHONES! He must take after his mother - loves to communicate. Well if I clearly state that I am going to be talking on the phone now Gavin you go play with your toys. He will leave me and the phone alone - but that is worse.
In leaving me alone he has found a new way to entertain himself - and it's not with his toys. This is the time when their imagination roams free. The book shelf becomes a mountain - at which he thinks he must climb. Outlets a chance to get mom's attention and a jump and run of me towards him. The kitchen cupboards - bowls now drums. DVD's seem to something fun to throw throughout the living room. Shoes and Clothes scattered all throughout the living room - drug out from his bedroom.
My 10 minute phone call has now caused me a 30 minute clean up session. And the sad thing is, I don't remember 7 minutes of my phone call as they were interrupted with - hold on I got to get Gavin, hold on Olivia is fussing, and be right back I have to stop Gavin he is trying to climb.
I have come to realize that the phone call should just turn into - the email.
In leaving me alone he has found a new way to entertain himself - and it's not with his toys. This is the time when their imagination roams free. The book shelf becomes a mountain - at which he thinks he must climb. Outlets a chance to get mom's attention and a jump and run of me towards him. The kitchen cupboards - bowls now drums. DVD's seem to something fun to throw throughout the living room. Shoes and Clothes scattered all throughout the living room - drug out from his bedroom.
My 10 minute phone call has now caused me a 30 minute clean up session. And the sad thing is, I don't remember 7 minutes of my phone call as they were interrupted with - hold on I got to get Gavin, hold on Olivia is fussing, and be right back I have to stop Gavin he is trying to climb.
I have come to realize that the phone call should just turn into - the email.
Monday, January 10, 2011
the drop off
As every mother knows (whether working or stay at home mom) the dreaded drop off is usually something new every day - or in my case every morning. The time isn't even the same sometimes I get there on time 7:30 am - others I am a few minutes ahead, but in most cases in the morning i am flying up her driveway at roughly 7:42.
The trip of a long 3 minutes is long enough for Gavin to realize just where he is heading and that mom will not be staying with him when he reaches the sitters house. Olivia is sometimes screaming at the top of her lungs because I have not gotten the last burp out correctly and the bumpiness of the van ride has caused it to make her little belly upset. However there are the other mornings, some mornings the kids remain calm, Gavin singing some tune softly that has been stuck in his head while Olivia doses off to sleep. Today not one of those days.
Today was a sad day - the morning that makes a mother well up with tears in her eyes, the little man hung to my leg as I told the sitter what time Olivia had last ate, and got out her bottles for today and Gavin's breakfast - "hold me mommy" "hold me"
I pick him up and he lays his head down on my shoulder and gives me a hug - wow. The hug only a mother knows... Those two year old hugs are amazing! They just carry so much love, more than their little bodies can hold. I tried to occupy him with the toy train set, breakfast, Olivia, until finally it was time I had to go.
Handed him off to the sitter and headed for the door afraid to turn around as I heard my little man screaming for his mommy.
You and I - we both know he will be fine, and within 2 minutes he was playing and had forgotten all about the traumatic event, playing with the exact train I had been trying to occupy him with earlier and enjoying his morning waffles however. For me - the traumatic event will not be forgotten until at least noon today - as a working mother, I never forget my child's cry and the drop off.
The trip of a long 3 minutes is long enough for Gavin to realize just where he is heading and that mom will not be staying with him when he reaches the sitters house. Olivia is sometimes screaming at the top of her lungs because I have not gotten the last burp out correctly and the bumpiness of the van ride has caused it to make her little belly upset. However there are the other mornings, some mornings the kids remain calm, Gavin singing some tune softly that has been stuck in his head while Olivia doses off to sleep. Today not one of those days.
Today was a sad day - the morning that makes a mother well up with tears in her eyes, the little man hung to my leg as I told the sitter what time Olivia had last ate, and got out her bottles for today and Gavin's breakfast - "hold me mommy" "hold me"
I pick him up and he lays his head down on my shoulder and gives me a hug - wow. The hug only a mother knows... Those two year old hugs are amazing! They just carry so much love, more than their little bodies can hold. I tried to occupy him with the toy train set, breakfast, Olivia, until finally it was time I had to go.
Handed him off to the sitter and headed for the door afraid to turn around as I heard my little man screaming for his mommy.
You and I - we both know he will be fine, and within 2 minutes he was playing and had forgotten all about the traumatic event, playing with the exact train I had been trying to occupy him with earlier and enjoying his morning waffles however. For me - the traumatic event will not be forgotten until at least noon today - as a working mother, I never forget my child's cry and the drop off.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
sunday nap
Those of you who are mothers or fathers out there no what I am going to be talking about when I title my blog the Sunday Nap. It's a time of the weekend I as a mother always look forward to - it is the one time that I can sit down and relax without spec of sound and not feel guilty about it.
Sunday Morning - the rush - up and get all diapers changed, bottles fed, milk and breakfast and then starts in the showers all to be done in time for church. Home from mass and we follow the same welcomed routines. Breakfast by daddy - an amazing brunch - as mom gets everyone out of church clothes and into Sunday lounge.
Brunch is ate and enjoyed - every last drop of it and then the tired eyes set in - not for one, but for all four. Olivia is hungry - it's bottle time, and the battle begins with our son Gavin. He usually lays down well for nap, but by this point he is beyond exhausted and bucks a little. He then ask if he takes a nap when he wakes up - can he go see grandpa? My husband answers yes! - well a curse and a blessing, now Gavin is eagerly awaiting bed and is sitting strait up in his car bed, however the excitement going on in that little body of his is busting at the seems and I don't see how sleep can be anywhere in the near future.
Several songs later - some sang by mommy and others by daddy - mostly ABC's, 123's and a little Twinkle Twinkle and the little guy is out like a light.
Now for Olivia - she is a dull she just laid right down and stared at her mobile as it went round and round and eventually closes her sweet little eyes and rest of to bed.
Now is the time! the wonderful time! it's a time of pure confusion, do we watch football, scrub the kitchen floor, work on scrap booking, cars in the garage, nap ourselves or enjoy a Sunday afternoon movie.
Well today it's a movie - Salt (with Angelina) - and then after the kids are up from nap, I guess we will be keeping that promise to Mr Gavin and visiting my mom and dads.
Sunday Morning - the rush - up and get all diapers changed, bottles fed, milk and breakfast and then starts in the showers all to be done in time for church. Home from mass and we follow the same welcomed routines. Breakfast by daddy - an amazing brunch - as mom gets everyone out of church clothes and into Sunday lounge.
Brunch is ate and enjoyed - every last drop of it and then the tired eyes set in - not for one, but for all four. Olivia is hungry - it's bottle time, and the battle begins with our son Gavin. He usually lays down well for nap, but by this point he is beyond exhausted and bucks a little. He then ask if he takes a nap when he wakes up - can he go see grandpa? My husband answers yes! - well a curse and a blessing, now Gavin is eagerly awaiting bed and is sitting strait up in his car bed, however the excitement going on in that little body of his is busting at the seems and I don't see how sleep can be anywhere in the near future.
Several songs later - some sang by mommy and others by daddy - mostly ABC's, 123's and a little Twinkle Twinkle and the little guy is out like a light.
Now for Olivia - she is a dull she just laid right down and stared at her mobile as it went round and round and eventually closes her sweet little eyes and rest of to bed.
Now is the time! the wonderful time! it's a time of pure confusion, do we watch football, scrub the kitchen floor, work on scrap booking, cars in the garage, nap ourselves or enjoy a Sunday afternoon movie.
Well today it's a movie - Salt (with Angelina) - and then after the kids are up from nap, I guess we will be keeping that promise to Mr Gavin and visiting my mom and dads.
to be two - a milk melt down
To be two - the joys and the hardships my son Gavin must go through everyday. Sometimes watching him brings a smile to my face - as his little eyes just light up with learning something new, or sharing a story from the day at the sitters. However other times, his frustration - well it can cause me frustration as well.
In just trying to post this first blog, I no more than sat down to begin typing and I hear MUMMMM MUM MUM Mommy! MUM - i answer with a nice - what do you need Gavin. He is in the kitchen and I probably know the answer to the question before he even speaks - but of coarse it is a clear " MILK " and he needs it precisely now. Of coarse, I get up and go into the kitchen and open the refrigerator door and grab his milk off the top shelf and hand it to him, and begin to walk into the living room - when I begin to hear a squeaky like cry. What?! I ask as I turn around. " I GET IT" - of coarse you do... I am just about to tell him no when I realize this battle is not worth fighting this time in the morning with him. So of coarse I open the fridge and let him set it on the shelf and grab it down and I shut the door and begin to walk back into the living room.
Now this would of been the end of it a couple months ago he would of been happy for the next fifteen minutes - gleaming ear from ear. However not today - as the squeak like cry began to come - first a squeaky whimper and before he can scream and wake up my four month old daughter - i ask - WHAT! - okay your right I have lost my patience by this time, I turn around and he says " I CLOSE IT " - of coarse you do. Wow, who would of thought now he needs to 'close' the refrigerator door as well. I can't imagine where this journey will turn to next - the whole milk thing just keeps progressing.
Some of you may be curious as to why he couldn't just open the door and get his milk himself and join us all back in the living room, well that would just make sense. However we had purchased a simple refrigerator lock for the fridge at least a year ago. It was necessary at the time, as he thought we needed butter-cheese-milk-left overs - lettuce - beer, whatever he could reach at anytime of the day. He just loves to bring things to us. So we got a lock to keep the refrigerator closed and the mess down. Besides - what does a 1 year old really need in a fridge. Well now he is two - but still not ready for this responsibility. So the Milk Melt downs will continue. JOY!
In just trying to post this first blog, I no more than sat down to begin typing and I hear MUMMMM MUM MUM Mommy! MUM - i answer with a nice - what do you need Gavin. He is in the kitchen and I probably know the answer to the question before he even speaks - but of coarse it is a clear " MILK " and he needs it precisely now. Of coarse, I get up and go into the kitchen and open the refrigerator door and grab his milk off the top shelf and hand it to him, and begin to walk into the living room - when I begin to hear a squeaky like cry. What?! I ask as I turn around. " I GET IT" - of coarse you do... I am just about to tell him no when I realize this battle is not worth fighting this time in the morning with him. So of coarse I open the fridge and let him set it on the shelf and grab it down and I shut the door and begin to walk back into the living room.
Now this would of been the end of it a couple months ago he would of been happy for the next fifteen minutes - gleaming ear from ear. However not today - as the squeak like cry began to come - first a squeaky whimper and before he can scream and wake up my four month old daughter - i ask - WHAT! - okay your right I have lost my patience by this time, I turn around and he says " I CLOSE IT " - of coarse you do. Wow, who would of thought now he needs to 'close' the refrigerator door as well. I can't imagine where this journey will turn to next - the whole milk thing just keeps progressing.
Some of you may be curious as to why he couldn't just open the door and get his milk himself and join us all back in the living room, well that would just make sense. However we had purchased a simple refrigerator lock for the fridge at least a year ago. It was necessary at the time, as he thought we needed butter-cheese-milk-left overs - lettuce - beer, whatever he could reach at anytime of the day. He just loves to bring things to us. So we got a lock to keep the refrigerator closed and the mess down. Besides - what does a 1 year old really need in a fridge. Well now he is two - but still not ready for this responsibility. So the Milk Melt downs will continue. JOY!
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