Absolute Worse Day as a Mommy

Friday began as a promising and exciting day.  We were expecting a visit from Grandma.  The night before I had mapped out our morning so that I could finish some cleaning projects and have the children bathed and clothed by the time Grandma arrived.  By 7:30am both kids were in the bathtub and all was smooth.  Ryan told me he had to poopie and therefore he wanted to get out of the bathtub.  Of course I jumped at this potty training opportunity. Quickly, he went from bathtub to potty seat on mommy's and daddy's potty.  I could tell he was going to do it (you mommies know the precursors), so I rushed downstairs to the kitchen for a treat.  It took me a few minutes to rummage through my baking supplies to find the peanut butter chips.  This rummaging event is what turned my morning into a complete disaster, and, of course, my own foolishness for leaving a two year old on the potty by himself.  When I got back upstairs, Ryan had pooped!  Unfortunately, it occurred on the floor.  In the small amount of time I was away, he had stepped in it and picked it up.  And of course, there was pee everywhere.  From the neck down, Ryan was covered with poop smears, and he was screaming. After cleaning him off with wipes and toilet paper, I immediately placed him in the bathtub and decontaminated him.  I then instructed Madeline to start a TV show and I began the task of cleaning the floor in our toilet room.  The first thing I did was flush the toilet since I had placed as much of the "package" as possible into the toilet.  Little did I realize that Madeline had clogged the toilet right before this incident with her brother.  So yes, the toilet overflowed. Let's just say it was not pretty.  The water had already reached the main bathroom by the time I was able to grab some towels.  The water level in the toilet did not go down and already I was standing in sewage water that fully saturated my feet.  There was no choice but to plunge.  Since the toilet was brimming with water, you can imagine what occurred as I plunged.  The water on my feet rose higher and higher, as the toilet continually overflowed, and since I am not the best plunger, it took about 10 attempts before the water went down.  Then came the task of figuring out how to clean everything up without contaminating the whole bathroom and the walkway to the laundry room.  It was horrible!!!  Once everything was contained in bags, I spray bleached my feet, legs, arms and hands, and trekked to the laundry room, where the first sanitary washing machine cycle began.  I then took a trip to the trash can in the garage and started another show for the kids.  They ended up watching a lot of TV Friday morning, and the only thing I managed to do was bleach my bathroom and shower before Grandma arrived.  I truly and genuinely have a new appreciation for plumbers and trash man.  And if Ryan is in a diaper until he's five, you will understand why.  I have been scarred for life in the potty training arena.

Pants Down at Chick Fil A

I can't believe I forgot this story in yesterday's blog entry.  While Ian, Conor, Riley, Madeline, Ryan and Ty played in the play area at Chick Fil A, Anna, Laura and I sat at a table next to the glass visiting.  From my vantage point, I was unable to see a portion of the play area.  As we were enjoying conversation, another mom came up to our table and told us that the little boy in the blue shirt was naked.  Of course, I bolted into the play area.  All I can say is that I WISH I had a camera.  There was Ryan, with his diaper pulled to his knees flashing everyone.  He was like a statue, unsure what to do.  I used every ounce of strength not to laugh.  Turns out that sweet Conor thought it would be funny to pull Ryan's pants down.  I was actually grateful to hear this, as I had already started envisioning running after Ryan in public places as he wrestled off his pants.  

This Week

What a blogging slacker I have been!  The past few weeks feel like whirlwinds and on Friday Grandma comes for a long weekend.

Today we enjoyed a free breakfast at Chick-fil-A with the Shields' and Walters' family and then we joined the Shields' for pool time at the Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center.  I am SO excited for the pool to open.  Madeline and Ryan had such a great time and then took awesome naps.  I am constantly in awe of their differences in personality.  Twice Ryan went under. Though he had a shocked and pained expression on his face when he surfaced, he just came to me for reassurance and then kept playing.  When that happened to Madeline in years past it took at least 10 minutes before she was comfortable getting back into the pool.  While there I mentioned that I will soon be signing her up for swimming lessons.  She was immediately frightened and has not stopped talking about it all day.  My sweet girl is so scared to try anything new or anything that is not comfortable.    What a different pair she and Ryan are.  I often pray that they will be like iron sharpening iron to each other.

One of the highlights of the week was a trip to Raleigh's Natural History Museum.  They had a special program on kitchen gadgets that was fantastic.  Madeline got to roll out biscuit dough and cut shapes out of the dough with cookie cutters.  She learned how to separate eggs and how to brush the tops of biscuits with an egg wash.  They then squeezed lemons to make lemonade to drink with their hot biscuits.  After the program, we headed to Costco for a bit of shopping and lunch.  How is it that regardless of what you buy, your bill is always $100 or more!!! Because everything comes in bulk, it is so disappointing to see the number of items purchased and the total price of the sale.  

I have been trying to brainstorm all the nicknames we have come up with for the kids. Madeline has gone or goes by Maddie, Mad Dog, Little Mow, Princess, Sweetheart, Puddin' Pop, and Frankina (when she toots).  Ryan list includes RyRy, Ry the Guy, Bubbubs, BamBam (during the phase in which he bammed on his door until someone came to let him out of his room), Rys, Turkey, and Frank (when he toots).   

TK's Jungle

We have found a new favorite Tuesday event.  Half price day at TK's Jungle, an inflatables fun house in RTP.  Since we went last Tuesday, Ryan wakes up each morning asking if we can go to the jumping place.  Here are a few pictures from our time.  It was actually VERY difficult to take pictures, as the kids were running from one inflatable to the next and then, literally, bouncing all around.

Here's Ry with two of the Shields' boys.  I hope Ryan continues to look up to these two.  They are ALL boy, yet sweet and well-mannered.  Ryan followed them all around and they were quick to help him when he need a push.

This picture is to showcase the newest mohawk cut.  Daddy really outdid himself this time!

Oh no, Madeline and Ryan are being eaten by a giant shark!!!

This girl is too sweet for words.

Here are Madeline and Ryan pretending to operate a race car game at TK's.  This picture is included because it highlights their innate differences as male and female.  From the look on Ry's face, you can tell he is focused and driven (ha, ha, ha) to win and conquer the game.  Though you can't tell from the picture, Madeline is right beside him, placing her head on the steering wheel and moving her head back and forth as she gently turns the steering wheel.  It was quite amusing to watch.

A new game was invented today at TK's.  The children would press their hands and heads on the mesh and the mommies would press back on their hands, making them fall over.  This game produced belly laughs from Madeline, Chase, Ryan and Jackson.  Above is a picture of Ryan and Jackson.

Madeline and Chase playing the mesh game.

This morning Daddy left for Fayetteville.  Both Madeline and Ryan wanted to climb onto his lap and have some cuddle time before he headed out.  Daddy loves his babies.  We can't wait until he gets home!!!

Some interesting things happened at TK's Jungle:

-For the first time, I was approached by another parent for my child's behavior.  I was in one of the jumping houses with Anna and Beth and the kids when a mother came up, who was sitting a ways off, and asked whose child had on the blue shirt.  It was Ryan.  She told me that I needed to watch him because her son (who was about 3.5 or 4) just told her that Ryan had pushed his head.  I promptly began to watch Ryan like a hawk.  At the time, he and Madeline were at the top of a slide and the little boy with the complaint was directly behind them.  Just as Madeline was about to sit down to go down the slide, I watched this little boy push her from a standing position down the slide.  I then observed him do the same to Ryan.  As soon as the little boy got down the slide, he decided to go through a tunnel.  At the time, Jacob, Ry's almost 2 year old friend, was climbing through the tunnel.  Instead of waiting for Jacob to climb through, the boy proceeded to climb on top of Jacob and in front of him.  I then realized that if Ryan had pushed this little boy's head, it was not without provocation.  When I had time to think about it that evening, I realized how funny it was that the little boy's mom was paying no attention to him or his brother, but sitting in a central area doing her own thing, but was accosting me about my child's behavior when I was only feet away from my children.  I wish I could say that was the end of things.  About 30 minutes later, as the little boy and Ryan were both entering the same inflatable, the little boy looked at Ryan and continually said, "you horrible, horrible boy". Thankfully, Ryan has no idea what the word horrible means and I quickly scooped him up.  The boy's mother was next to him at the moment and chided him for saying such things, but did not stop him and then just uttered, "oh, boys".  Part of me wishes I had confronted this mother, but the other part of me likes peace and I had a peace about this situation--my children were not harmed physically or emotionally, and there would likely be nothing but strife that resulted from a confrontation.

-Today at TK's an older boy befriended Ryan.  This boy was a bit overly helpful and Ryan was overwhelmed by him and came to me crying a couple times.  I, of course, kept a very close eye on them and finally told the boy that Ryan just wanted his mommy.  The funny thing was that Ryan's friend, Jackson, who is a year older, became very protective of Ryan and literally started pulling Ryan the opposite direction as this older boy tried to "take him away".  It was really endearing to watch Jackson display such strong bonds of friendship at such a young age.  

-Joe Shields is the most energetic dad I know!  He was all over the inflatables with the kids.  Madeline and Ryan were in love with him by the time we left.  

-Tim Walters is the most flexible man over 6 feet tall that I have met!  He was like a snake slithering through an obstacle course that I struggled to get through with the kids.  I wish I had a video snip to show.

-While I have loved chatting with the ladies at TK's, I had the most fun tonight when it was just me and the kids.  I played with them in the inflatables, jumping, climbing up stairs, sliding, and chasing.  It was such special bonding time.  As I mature as a mom, I hope to spend more time investing in what Madeline and Ryan enjoy, versus getting tasks done.

Pictures from the week

I need some help from my blogger friends.  When I attempt to post vertical pictures, they post horizontally.  When I look at the vertical pictures in iphoto (our picture software) they are vertical.  However, they don't post that way.  What do I do???

Here is Ryan making a Valentine at a special time for tots at North Carolina's Natural History Museum.  It is here that Ryan discovered scissors and his passion for cutting.  As a result, all scissors were placed high out of reach when we got home.

On Valentine's Day we had some friends over to decorate cookies.  Here are sweet Emmy and Madeline decorating their cookies.

Where's the cookie in Madeline's hand, you might ask?  It is hiding beneath the multitude of sprinkles.

Of course this is a Wells' child.  Do you know what he is doing?  Licking his place mat to make sure that every last sprinkle lands in his mouth.

That's right, we have become one of those parents.  We let Maddie and Ryan take their strollers and baby dolls (Ryan has a dog) to the mall.  Of course we started out the day at the museum where only Madeline brought her stroller and doll.  It turned into a disaster, as Ryan too wanted to push the stroller.  As a result, we took two strollers to the mall that evening.

Madeline and her GG.

Look at that handsome boy!

Here is Maddie making her Valentine at the museum.  Do you see that she is placing heart stickers in a line around the perimeter of the card.  She is very methodical and practical, just like her mama.

The Ry guy and his GG.  This boy loves his energetic GG.

GG and Madeline await Ryan's descent down the slide.

What a sweet pair.

My favorite time as a parent is watching Madeline and Ryan play with each other and enjoy each other's company.

GG and Madeline bury a hidden treasure in the sand.

Garlic Breath

Our sweet friend Beth is watching Madeline and Ryan on Saturday for us to celebrate Valentine's Day.  Since we did not have anything planned last night, I made one of Matt's favorites. . .white pizza (I also made a regular one for the kids).  Well, surprise, surprise, Ryan loves white pizza. He ate at least two regular size pieces.  At the time I was excited that he was eating it. . .last night the excitement began to wane, as his breath began to stink.  My sweet little boy has garlic breath and it is BAD!!!  When one's husband has bad garlic breath, you can tell him that he stinks and that the kisses will have to wait for tomorrow.  Not so with your two year old little boy.  This is the first time I can remember kissing one of my children and having my stomach churn.  And while the breath was bad, this morning's diaper was horrid.  If only there were words to describe the aroma.  

I love holidays, as do my mom and sisters.  In fact, my whole family called yesterday to wish me a Happy Valentine's Day.  To celebrate with the kids, we had a little cookie decorating party and bag lunch at our house.  It was fun and crazy all at the same time.  Madeline piled a centimeter worth of sprinkles on her cookie and Ryan picked up his placemat numerous times to lick the sprinkles off.  

Oh, I forgot about our morning Valentine's Day celebration.  I made special pancakes and the kids had pink milk to drink.  Daddy hid cards all around the family room for Madeline to find and we gave the kids a special V Day treat.  Holidays are so much more magical and fun with children.  Matt was also quite the romantic!

This morning we met our friends Ms. Tara, Riley and new baby Grady at the playground.  It was our first time meeting baby Grady and all three of us loved it.  We could not get enough of his little face and body.  Madeline is so sweet and tender with babies.  She kept saying that Tyler and Riley must LOVE having this baby.  And with all his toughness, Ryan also has a tender spot for babies.  He knows to be gentle with them and loves to look at them and say, "ohhhh, baby". Though Ryan is over 2, at the playground I felt like I became an official boy mom.  Ryan found his first mud puddles.  How, I have no idea, as they were on the outskirts of the playground. When I watched him leap into the first puddle, I cringed.  Most of me wanted to yank him up and run home, but a small part of me knew this was just a boy being a boy and he was about to have the time of his life.  He did.  Before heading into the car, he was stripped down and upon arriving home, given a sink bath.

Madeline said something really cute yesterday.  She asked me where Daddy was going.  I told her that he was going to lacrosse practice.  Then she asked me if that meant he was going to heaven.  I was totally baffled and asked her why she asked that.  Turns out that she thought I said that Daddy was going to the cross.  

I am continually in awe of Madeline's tenderness for people, even her brother.  Today, Ryan got into major trouble after dumping a tub of crayons when I told him not to and then writing on the floor when I was making him pick up all the crayons.  As a result of this, we had two major discipline sessions.  After the second one, Ryan was crying and broken (unfortunately, the brokenness does not last for long these days, as his disobedience is at a peak), but I was still making him pick up the crayons.  Madeline came up to him and said, "Hey buddy, I will help you pick them up".  I told her that she did not have to, but she told me that she wanted to help him.

GG Comes to Town

The camera is upstairs and I am downstairs, so the pictures will have to follow.  The last few weeks have passed in a whirlwind, ending with a visit from GG.  I love having my mom visit and I love watching the kids love my mom.  The older I get the more I appreciate my mom and enjoy spending time with her.  With both love to go, go, go, so we enjoy filling our time with outings and playground visits.  

We discovered an interesting thing while GG was here.  Because my mom is called GG and Matt's mom is called Grandma, Madeline does not think that GG is a "real" grandma.  She often told GG about her real Grandma, referring to Matt's mom.  Thankfully my mom is not offended and soon Madeline will be able to grasp the "sameness" of distinct titles.

Chip Ingram is one of my favorite pastors to listen to online.  He did a great talk on faith, wherein faith is defined as believing God and therefore acting on that belief.  He talked about how faith is the single most thing that pleases God.  His talk centered mostly around Hebrews 10-12.  Here are the 7 ways he shared to grow in faith.  1)  The Bible--soaking your mind and heart in scripture.  2) Giving--giving the first and best of your finances, as reflected by Abel.  We want to believe to the point that we give our best. 3) Faith is caught--get around people who have it and read books on people with great faith. 4) Sanctified dreaming--as we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (so long as those desires are in line with Scripture), as he longs to reward those who earnestly seek him.  Ps. 37:4. 5) Earnestly seek him. 6) Just Go--start asking for a calling from God.  7) Roll--where there is no risk, there is no faith.  This talk spurred me on to seek faith and pray for faith.