Shame

We have an Island kitchen with two entry / exit points. I listen carefully for plodding foot steps and try to go the other way (sometimes quickly) in order to get things accomplished about the house or to just get a moments rest from the kids. Through my own fault I am sure, I have made MHM especially crave being picked up when ever he sees me. Whether I am in the middle of something or not, he sees me and automatically he raises his arms in anticipation. When he is tired, hungry or just needy, he'll wobble toward you arms raised in an almost Frankensteinesque fashion.

Though this is cute to see, it just means I am in demand and sometimes that is just too much! I once again recognize that I mostly created this situation but hey, with something as darn stinkin' cute as MHM stalking you down, it is hard not to pick him up and gnaw on any available part of his body! It's especially great to hear a most wonderful giggle and laugh escape him as his neck is kissed and raspberried!

Well, this all adds to my SHAME that I actually run from and away from him through one of the available escape routs.

Shame, Shame, Shame!

His-story

Apparently my dad has for some time been writing his memoirs. I and M are very happy to get any and all history and nostalgic items we can. Well, in his spare time, my dad has recreated his childhood farm, the first house he and mom built in Mt Pleasant as well as the cottage at Houghton Lake (of which I am very nostalgic for myself and have hopes for my kids to have wonderful memories of) in miniature scale.. So far dad has written 80 plus pages and had recently went to Kinkos to make copies for each family. These pages are filled of his recollections of farm life and such. I haven't read any of it yet but am anticipating it. I remember "the farm" from a limited stand point as I was only very young when we were still able to visit there before Great Gma passed in 1976.

M has also been prodding questions from Gma pertaining to a book in which the author (Gma and Gpa) were supposed to write their answers to canned memory jogging questions themselves. Well, Gma has R.A. and writing is not really an option so it is great but will take a long time to get a full book full. Regardless, We really like family history and are determined to get as much as we can before there are the inevitable regret statements.

I guess for now, this blog will be the start of my memories of which I do hope to continue so that my kids don't have to bother me later to pry out old stories.

TUT & MHM

2009 TUT is here and gone. MHM was part of it for a second year and this year was more able to enjoy and be part of it. Though limited by his cold weather gear, which to borrow a movie sound bite "...he looked like a tick that might pop!" Accuracy of the quote might be questionable but the fact that MHM was double layered made his mobility mostly impossible.

I headed north Friday afternoon with Gma and MHM. M and E were staying home to do crafts, a sled race and more crafts.

It was blowy and snowy with the temperature expected to drop dramatically from the upper 20's to 0. With that knowledge, I was wondering whether we would be able to do TUT at all. After getting MHM settled in for the evening, I was ready for some relaxation. B, A and kids showed up shortly after MHM went down so we talked a bit and tried to get a plan for Saturday while talking to others on the phone. P and his son N came up from Fla. so it was certainly intended to meet up with him.

Saturday came beautifully though quite cold but the wind subsided so it looked as though going to the TUT site would work. With a high of maybe 12 or 13*F, it was still chilly. As seen above, I jammed MHM into some extra clothes and we headed out. He seemed quite content to stay in my arms but was pointing everywhere when he would see something that was interesting. When we found the group, he put his arms out for Uncle B and P to hold which lessened my fatigue. The site was abuzz and that is good as apparently the first w.e. was snowy, blowy and quite cold. This is not anything to complain about as this is what people seek when attending a Winter Carnival. I enjoyed walking the site and recognized many looks at my little guy. As handsome as he is, he deserves peoples full attention.

The highlights were taking him up the ladder to the ice slide then posing for a picture on the what I call the "Official" snow creation of TUT site. MHM was quite in awe of this giant being, I can only imagine what he thought of this guy.

All the excitement of the site really tired him out and he slept for nearly 3 hours when we got home, Yeah Me!

Upon waking, it was almost diner time so I fed him and we readied to go the closing firework show of TUT. We went on the ice to meet D, J and kids, P and son and of course B, A and kids. The show was quite a sight and I feel that MHM probably had the best angle view of it. After the show, the group was intent on heading to Elbow Lake Bar with every kid in tow. I of course did go home and put MHM down for the night. I ended up piling in with P and son for the drive. By the time we made it to the destination, N was sacked out and quite content and very certain that he would NOT get out of the car, so P and I ended up heading back to H.L. and parting ways for the w.e.

Sunday came early as MHM was restless from 2 am all the way until 11am. He was over tired and a bit cranky. We went to the 9:30am - 11am mass where I had to take MHM to the back as he was tired and fidgety. He was tired and crashed immediately upon getting in the car on the way home. As a result of this nap, I did however manage a 1 hour visit to D's nearby home to see what was up as of late. When getting home, MHM was soon to wake so he definitely did not get an adequate nap. After he awoke, I cleaned and packed a bit then took Gma over to some long time family friends and MHM and I went visiting to D & W's. MHM enjoyed the little doggies and little dog toys about the floor.

After picking up Gma, we went home and kicked it into high gear in order to get home to M and E. When we arrived home, M had a meal ready to sit down to and a short while latter, MHM was all in and ready for sleep. All in all the w.e. was very nice and enjoyable.

Angelic ?? Of course!!!

No, it's just E! Today I got the kiddies ready for church and school. We try our best to do this every Thursday with varying degrees of success. With E now potty trained (more or less), I was sure that as she went to the potty before we left, we would be saved this duty at church. Not so! Well, after entrusting MHM to Gma and Gpa, the two of us went off to the potty. It was as I expected, a false call though she thought it was #2.

When we left, we were nearing the middle of the mass where E likes to participate. We made it back for all of the important prayers, giving of "Peace" and singing of several songs. Today, E really belted out the "Alleluia" and the first part of the "Our Father" (now sung in three verses with a common refrain). She really took everyone delightedly by surprise with loud and clear song.

Her volume level was certainly high and we had many glances in our direction but I let her continue. At the end of mass, several people came by to acknowledge and praise E's effort. E grinned shyly but I think she really thought it was great to have people come and engage her. I know that Father J would appreciate such enthusiasm from the school kids! I am hopeful I might get some input from her school music teacher as to how to offer constructive criticism to a not yet 3 year old who desires to sing!!

God love ya E!!!!

Gook

Gook gook gook! MHM will excitedly repeat this as he stalks you down waving a book in the air in front of him. Gook is a pretty good word coming from him. He is adding new sounds and noises seemingly each day. He has Momma, dadda, this, fish, uhoh, that, (Ooot; added today as M reminded me of it last night) and maybe a few others. The sign language is a bit more or at least complimentary with his language skills. Yes, this is another gushing entry of how darn smrt our kids are. MHM even today actually said BOOK with a discernible B. When asked where is the book, Lambykins or many other objects, he definitely understands what we or he is after albeit I believe he knows full well the word NO but true to kids, ignores you completely.

When M asked him this past afternoon whether he wanted to eat, he headed right for his chair to eat. Once again, very smrt and a man after my own stomach. I think he loves to eat as much as I do.

I have been taking MHM and E to play group for some time now and today I took only MHM as he was banned from school for a nonexistent temperature. He really seemed to enjoy my attention and really seemed proud of himself as he stood on a stool to get to the sensory table. This week, it was some very fine red sand and he really liked it.

Now that MHM is more aware of what is happening, we are starting to read him books before putting him down to sleep. He really enjoys touch books especially ones with animals or bugs. This evening, we read several books but he was fidgety so I said some quick prayers and laid him in his bed. He did not just flop over like so often so I knew I had to go find lamby. When I returned, he was lying on his side with his eyes open but the second he had lamby snuggled to his chin, he rolled over contented and ready to sleep.

Rest well little man!

MHM updates

MHM is growing so quickly..... He is now well after his bout with pneumonia and we are getting out and having fun. As a side note, I think it has been almost a week since I have pulled out a tissue and wiped a nose! Oh my gosh, we are for most likely a brief moment disease free!! yeah!!!!

Well, as part of our getting out, yesterday in the midst of a pretty major snow storm, ventured a trip to Flint to the Children's Museum. We arrived early enough so we were able to do most of the good stuff unhindered. As the day went on, there were several parties so the crowd really grew.

MHM was all into this whole experience and really seemed to enjoy walking about all the different activities. He mostly liked to grab small toys and relocate them to other parts of the museum. He had fun in the music room banging on chimes and carrying the spoon. Then after a quick lunch, we finally headed to M's favorite spot in the whole place. The Supermarket and Bistro. MHM enjoyed filling the tiny shopping carts and shoving them any and everywhere. When the area got a bit too active, I headed him for the tots area. There were tunnels, mats and the ever favorite "popcorn pusher". He is so mobile and so alert and just such a great little boy. I am so proud to have a little sprout like him and can only imagine what the future holds for us.

MHM, you are such a joy! I love you!

It's in the delivery

E has quite a way with expression when she is feeling well, is happy and mostly wants something very badly. last evening though she expressed interest in a certain large box that showed up in our Family room. She asked M in a cutesy way what it was all about. When M melted at E's expression and little face, she was hoping E would repeat it to me in the same way. M directed E that the box was daddies and she should ask me what it was. Well, E didn't repeat the same question but instead asked a bit shyly, "Daddy, do you RECOGNIZE that big box?"

What the.......

Why should this spectacular little not even 3 year old even know the word RECOGNIZE let alone unprompted use it in a totally correct context???

I know we keep writing with astonishment about our little E and hope others will forgive us but then again, this blog is for us anyway.

As a bit more bragging is in order, because I want to, E is now learning prayers and songs from church. What a super special little girl we have.

E has also now started her journey into going on the potty. She has mastered the pee pee but the poo poo is still a bit of a stinking point. She is really doing well and now hardly needs the special incentive of chocolate or candy corns.

We as her parents have to RECOGNIZE that she is still just a little sprout and has to learn a lot more for herself. We hope we can keep encouraging her and still let her be the cute girlie that we both hoped for before she was born.

Lots of LOVE TO YOU E!

The Holidays in a nutshell

The Christmas season has passed and I am going to try to get back to writing. The season was very enjoyable with the kids and the true winter weather. We had in the weeks leading up to Christmas, lots of snow adding up to more than a foot on the ground. This lasted until the day after when we had a complete melt down which kept us from going up north for several reasons. One of which I am very happy to say I think I took care of in August when I had a contractor add two sump pumps to the Burton Ave. duplexes. We didn't flood here or there so staying home to worry was not great but we didn't flood and we didn't sit around in the miserable weather staring at each other. Oh and by the way, we found that the kids were both sick and MHM finally was diagnosed with Pneumonia and an ear infection.

All in all though E really grasped the idea of Christmas as we were sure to tell her of the birth of Jesus and how we celebrate his birth and how Santa helps us celebrate his birthday. We watched more Christmas specials than I am sure E really wanted, but when given the only choice, she seemed mostly happy to watch even the old stuff with SCARY stuff. I from the beginning told her that the Abominable snowman in Rudolf was really a nice monster but he just didn't have any friends. The "no friends" theme seemed to work well for most of the shows and their villains and now has reached her other shows.

MHM really was good and having him walking was a treat and nothing got broken until just recently. He seemed to enjoy the same ornament which plays "Up on the rooftop" which E danced to last year. Once again, the big hit for Christmas was the packaging. The kids got plenty of good stuff and we even got "Family" gifts in order to stop any territory disputes.

It was really a joy to see E's eyes and expression when she realized that Santa had indeed come to our house. I almost teared up it was so darn cute. Santa ate a big chunk of the cookie left for him and drank all the milk which E must have felt validated the experience.

Grandma's was a high energy evening much like many past and we are very happy that it continued (for all but 1 in Punta Cana) I believe a tradition of over 40 years that I am aware of.

M for obvious reasons wished for years past and lamented lost traditions. I have many of my traditions yet in place and have hope they stay for many years. I do however hope that M, myself, E and MHM will create our own lasting and loving traditions. Those with family are very important but we must as our own family now enjoy each other and create lasting memories.

This is lots of rambling but I hope to find more time in the near future to collect my thoughts and get back to a more regular posting.