Update from Cute-topolis

This about sums it up.

Spread the Word to End the Word.

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Forcing the matter

And the matter at hand is Miles's transition to a "big boy" bed. As of 7 am today, a crib is no longer an option. It's as if a monolith appeared in his room, and his bed linens became instant tools. (Quick note: I initially spelled linens as "lenins." Yikes, I must become more domestic and less intelligentsia, STAT.)

Upon inspection, the pillow and comforter had been turned into a make-shift launch pad, and I am assuming his string bean legs worked as the rocket boosters. Sadly, the landing strip was his face. Nothing like seeing your little man greet you at the door, teary eyed and with an instant shiner. As breakfast wears on, that shiner has grown bigger and more menacing looking. He's looking less toddlery and more thuggish.

What to do? We've got a real bed in the wings for him- an awesome hand-me-down trundle bed- but I am not ready for that jump- literally and figuratively. Luckily, his IKEA crib is convertible. So off one side will go today, and up a set of bumpers. That's the easy part. The trickier part will be figuring out what will have to be removed my the room. I'm thinking his full size drum kit may need to visit a different room- the same goes for the guitar, paints, markers, and on, and on, and on. Wish us luck!

Happy Birthday Daddy

We love you more than all of the ice cream cake in the world! Jesse, you are the kindest and most patient father ever. Your compassion and pride radiates through your smile and eyes. The love you have for your children is known by all who talk you for more than a minute. And they love you back equally, if not doubly. For you are Daddy, bringer of all things cool and neat, giver of great hugs and boo-boo kisses, and protector on all outings and adventures. You are our rock, our glue, our tester of new fish stick brands. You are the best, and we wish you the happiest of birthdays.

Little Lady

Yesterday I ordered Poppy's first engraved silver bracelet. Name and birthday on the underside. Figured she needs a little flash and formality for her upcoming baptism. And I say first because she is my daughter, and I luuuuuuv a good piece of engraved/ monogrammed sterling. Luuuuuuuv. Now rumor has it that a local thrift store has a bulk supply of Lily Pulitzer baby dresses. Just have to snag a few and my vision is complete!

High Flying with Mommy

She's magical, but you already knew that.

Sharing is...

...caring? Well, this is not the case when you a gifting upper respiratory infections to your near and dear. We've been teaching Miles how to cough onto his sleeve, but he's better at spraying it about the room. Penelope was the first to snag it- she's a coughing machine. Jesse is now showing early symptoms. Great, so my coffee sharing hubs kept the germ love Fest alive and sent the microbe party my way.

In totally unrelated news, I've been accepted into ODU's M.S. Ed. program. Glad to see my 48 grad transfer hours have found a home. Allow me to be your cautionary tale on program hopping. Live and learn, just preferably in a program.

Picture Updates

Why

Why do little ones fight going to sleep? Tooth and nail on this house. Why, I'd fight for the right to just take a tiny nap for myself at this point. Penelope is trying to go 10 rounds with me, her snuggle bunny soothing swing, her beloved ladybug blankie, and an array of tasty and calming binkies. What she doesn't know is that I will ultimately win. (Duh, moms are winners!) I hold the power of the nap drive. We are only a key ring away to silence; well, given current gas prices, 30 minutes of silence. Subaru trumps baby grumpies, or at least it will if she doesn't cool her tiny jets within the next 15 minutes.

Miles should crash on his own tonight. He finally went back to school today; the bronchitis is on the retreat, I pray. He played his little buns off earlier though he's still not at 100%- so I'm hoping that translates into an easy, early night. However, knowing how spirited my children prefer to be, he's probably gearing up to streak the house and whiz on a house plant for fun.

A mini-post from my mini-keyboard

So I am crafting this from my phone, on a very difficult night, under stressful (though not critical) times. Hardships are abound because Miles is sick- fighting bronchitis. And Jesse and I are dealing with four and a half months on new parent exhaustion. While Penelope is doing beautifully with sleeping at night, it's still not enough to replenish our adult tanks. I'm so exhausted these days I've started seeing spots, literally. I also looked like I've aged another 10 years overnight. Guess that pregnancy glow wears off fast- you get stuck looking like a pasty, puffy zombie in desperate need of a salon visit. I've got more roots than a rainforest and my eyes are rivaling that black and grey critter that forages nightly in our trashcans. Ugh.

Enough of the moaning- I'm starting to feel worse just typing this out. Alright, some positive notes... Penelope is developing beautifully. She adores Miles; he is her sun and moon. Miles, in turn, has grown quite attached to the wee one. He constantly asks for her when they are apart. It's enough to melt your heart, even a sleep deprived and zombified heart. The love they have for each, though just beginning to blossom, keeps me going longer than the largest size of java Starbucks can muster. A venti sized serving of my kids awesomeness is what's fueling me tonight.