Child De-Proofing

Yep.  You read that right.  I still have a 21 month old  (which is almost the age Joel Andrew was when James was born, that is scary).  But I am de-Child Proofing.  The really big safety concern (the gate at the top of the stairs) has been gone for a few months now already.  We had to take it down to put our new furniture in the bedroom, and we just never got around to putting it back up.  It has been nice and less of a hazard to have to maneuver around.  Though there are a few moments when I scream James wildy and run to the top of the stairs.  As Joel Husband likes to point out, James is very good at the stairs.  We made both our kids good at the stairs on purpose.  Joel Andrew because I was so pregnant and could not carry him so he had to go on how own, but James because we are lazy.  So, now they know to go up and down but I am sure the hazard of playing or accidents is still there.

The rest of it is basically smarter, and more low-profile child proofing.

There is now a Mommy-in-addition-to-child proof lock on the basement door (which we also need for the attic door, Joel Husband, can you get that?).  So, they do not tumble down those stairs, or get down there and into anything like the liquor shelves and stuff.  This is instead of the gate that formerly blocked them to go to the basement door or the do-not-touch rooms.  This gate, over time was a bit warped and would not shut properly, which not only rendered it useless, but annoying as anytime anyone would go through it it would slam and make an annoying vibrating noise.  Christmas Day I almost gouged my own eyes out listening to it as people went back and forth.  It served as a visual barrier though, and the kids hardly went into the do not touch area.  Now that it is gone, they still have stayed their distance and I hope it keeps up.

I of course left the child proof locks on the cabinets, no poisons under the sinks for us.  Against Joel Husbands ardent refusal, we need to child proof our medicine drawer upstairs.  Their medicines are in a semi-childproof container under their bathroom sink, maybe I need to make that worse.  But other than that, the house is back to normal.  The whole downstairs, except for the high-chair (which will be gone in 3 months!) - is back to being a normal adults house.  You would hardly know kids lived here.  The playroom is of course piled high with toys and occasionally a mess, but we have it all in order.

To celebrate, we had the Kings over last night for dinner, and the first go-round with 4 under 4 was successful.  James only found one thing - the phone - that he should not touch, and all others were good.  The phone was where it always was too - so, a moot point.

So, back to an adult house.  We had a drink (not preggo Lauren) by the gas fireplace, which was on, while the boys played in the next room. Then we all ate dinner in the kitchen and no high chairs were involved at that point.  It was nice.

Next step, to bring back the wine cabinet which has been in holding in the basement.  Joel Husband is not sure we are ready, but I am.  I just won't hang the glassware in it yet...  I would have also brought our plants back, but they got too big in the three years they have been in hiding in the do not touch areas, so no space for them in our family room anymore!

As Auntie Lauren said last night: "final proof you are not having any more children."  Damn Straight.

PS- first photo posting in a while, as the blog site wouldn't let me do it a few weeks ago saying I needed to pay them $.  Second note - I promise to have a more about my children, less about me post soon!

Snipits

Since I seem to not be able to remember the stories that I need to write down, or we have been so much in the thick of things lately - work - Sunday River - getting ready for the week - other things we need to do...  I just thought I would no longer wait for a good story and instead jot down some of the small snipits of time.

Today in the car I told Joel Andrew for the millionth time he was smart and handsome.  Then I said James Morris is funny and strong.  Joel Andrew responded with: "James is not funny and strong, James is a Baby and is little."

James yells: "Wass- Aaat?" at everything now.  He is very curious.  I love it and I tell him always full on, without dumbing it down what it is.  "Wass- Aaat?" "Well, James, that is Mommy's package from diaper.com so you can have a toothbrush."  His response, always, no matter what is - "Ooooh."

James also like to say "Ye-aah."  Did you have a good day at school "Ye-aah."  Is that a good dinner "Ye-ahh."  etc., etc.

Joel Andrew is up on skis now, but finds crashing into anyone on the side of the mountain is a lot more fun that trying to learn to go slow on pizza pie.  Needless to say we are holding on lift rides for now.

James Morris does not let us eat out at restaurants anymore.  He makes this horrible I want to gouge my eyes out whining noise constantly.  Last weekend I just left with him from the Matterhorn and the Joels got to have a nice dinner without us while we unpacked the car.  James, you owe me a really nice meal someday.

Having just put my work clothes on this morning, ready to go and get the boys, Joel Andrew comes out of his room, spots me and says: "Mommy, you look really pretty."

Joel Andrew dresses himself from head to toe each morning now.

Serial Killer

Not funny at all.  When you hear the news and you see that some man has over the course of ten years quietly shoved a few bodies in suitcases here or there - you (or me, a Mom) immediately thinks of the parents.  Who were they to allow this to happen?  As my children get older, I wonder if it really could happen to anyone...

So, Joel Husband and I were hanging out with Joel Andrew, and the next night I would be off on ladies' movie night, so I decided I should put Joel Andrew to bed tonight.  I went in to do it, but Joel Andrew immediately protested saying he only wanted Daddy to put him to bed.  This made me sad, and I made the sad face and that did not even work on Joel Andrew, so Joel Husband convinced Joel Andrew that the right thing to do would be to let Mommy help Daddy put Joelly to bed.

So, we did.  Joel Husband got the best idea too - on the way to Joel's room we picked him up - one had the hands the other the feet, and we carried him and swung him into bed.  This was possibly one of my most favorite memories of childhood, I was thrilled to pass it onto Joel.  Here we were, the big family, having a moment, enjoying our time.  So, Joel Husband and I say, "A one...., A two...., A THREEEEEEE.!!"  And we gently tap him into bed.  Yay, I thought, he will love this, a new tradition.

The kid immediately turns and wails uncontrollably into his mattress.  It took us a minute to understand, but he wanted to put himself to bed.  He wanted to get into bed himself.  We both tried to have straight faces as we looked at this kid, FREAKING out for nothing, and finally told him, "ok, go ahead, start over."

He immediately got up, stopped crying, passed us with a straight all important, I am so right I can't believe you messed this up for me face...  went back into the bathroom, turned the faucet on and off and then came back into his room and hopped into bed all by himself.  Then happily exclaimed: "I'm ready for bed."  As if his method was better.  Yeah, right.

Joel Husband looked at me and mimed the word "serial killer."  Probably not.  But really, this much rapid emotional change?  No more swinging into bed for Joel Andrew.  Good thing I have my money on the fact that James will LOVE it.

2013

10 Resolutions for 2013, here they go:

1. Simplicity: First and foremost, recognize that it does not need to be done all perfectly and with multiple layers.  Be as simple as possible in the execution of all things, and relax.  Not everything can get done, do the best I can.

2. Be Better: Loose those 10 pounds that came back, fit into my clothes again, be more comfortable and do not eat myself sick so often (maybe once and a while is ok!).  Be ok with loosing the ten pounds, and that is it. No more lofty goals, just get back to fitting in clothes.  Drink lots of water, and wash my face every night before bed.  Explore parabin-free cosmetics and body products.  That's all.

3. Children, more: Less housework, less organizing, less ignoring the kids and more playing, being, talking, doing with them.  Having them help me with laundry, with dinner, with everything.

4. Me time: I like going to the Spa, so make it a point to plan a full-on nice spa day once a quarter (?).  I missed both of my last two planned spa days because of work.  No more.

5. Travel: Get back to seeing new places and things!  What will Joel Husband pick for his christmas present this year (I gave him a box with multiple travel options).  Hopefully it will be a good mix of trying something new and doing things we love.

6.  Shutting down: I NEED to turn off my work email from my phone.  Not all things need to be answered at all hours. 5pm Friday - 8pm Sunday email is off (and only then a 1 hour check I am allowed Sunday night).  Mid-week only 2 nights MAX of late night working.  If I have a meeting or an event that adds up to more than 4 hours, I must take comp time in the form of a massage or an outing with the kids.  If I can't get it done, I cannot get it done.  That's it.  In order to sustain, this must occur.  Nothing must be done, no matter what, between the hours of 4:30 - 8:00 each week night, when I am driving, cooking, spending time with my family before bedtime.

7. Listen: Try new music, make playlists, and read, read, read my audiobooks during all commutes!

8.  Purge:  Get rid of all of the baby things that we no longer need.  So someone else can use them before they are outdated or recalled.

9. Sleep: self explanatory.

10. Relax: Take deep breaths.  Try yoga?  Figure something out to no longer have tantrums worse than my children, in front of my children.

This is a large list. If I can tackle them though - just think about the better Mom that would come out the other side!

2012 Resolution Recap

1. Aunt Pat needs to meet Baby James.
2. My camp friends need to meet both my kids.
3. Make $2,500 by selling all of the things that we do not use, do not want, do not need and are collecting dust in our house. You hear me, $2.5K. We have that much stuff. Donate or toss the remainder. Decrease possessions by 1/8.
4. Find a craft hobby and keep with it. Previous attempts at sewing and knitting have not gone so well.
5. Create Blog Books, paper copies of all previous blog posts.
6. Create Yearbooks. Photo scrapbooks and DVDs since the kids were born.
7. Go places with the kids: Bronx Zoo, Zoo in Chicago, and all the area usual’s at least one trip each. Try to double our money on the Science Museum/Children’s Museum membership I bought.
8. No more cursing as Joel Andrew has taken to repeating everything we say.
9. Add 25 more go to, easy dinners to the family repertoire.
10. Be Better. Start to take care of my skin, get the lasik, and loose 20 MORE pounds, and keep the previously lost 20 off.

There they are.  My resolutions for 2012.  I meant to type this in 2012, but alas.  We do what we can (see resolutions 2013, to be posted next which hopefully will be soon).  Let's digest, how did I do?

1. Aunt Pat met Baby James!  And she has not stopped talking about it.  She loves that little guy and now we need another meeting!  She came up to visit us, which was very nice.  Perhaps an annual Baby James birthday trip is in order?

2. Camp friends have still not met my kids.  We are working on a camp friend reunion for 2013 - though no kids allowed.  At least I am hopefully that I will see them!  So, no points here.

3. I made that money no problem, and I did get rid of quite a bit of stuff.  But, now I have a whole new slew of stuff to get rid off.  I am sensing a recurring theme for resolutions here.

4. I have decided I am not a crafter.  I am a photographer.  I will keep with that.

5. Blog books done, 2012 needs to be worked on now!

6. Scrapbooks and year books only partially done...  They take a long time!  I am waiting to be laid off from my job or something to get this one done...

7. I need to go more places with my kids, work has totally slowed this down for me.  Though we did visit a ton of places in 2012.

8. I have tried to phase this out, thankfully!

9. Need to add this one back for 2013.  The 25 I added last year are getting old and tired.

10.  Must be added back to 2013...  I got the LASIK...  And I got a "face brush" for Christmas this year...  But I also gave myself 10 pounds and none of my clothes fitting me again.  Back on the lifestyle change tomorrow. I think in 2013 I am going to be realistic though...  Not to loose 20 more pounds, but to just keep the 10 I need to loose off once they are off.  That's all I ask...