Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Posts from my computer never posted...
Scene: Bayswater playground. Max has just run up the slide after I asked him not to because there were too many small children on the playground who would try to copy him and get hurt.
Me: Max, come take a 2 minute break on the bench. I just asked you not to run up the slide again.
Max: Fine. (runs over, plops onto the bench and pulls out a pocket notebook and a pencil out of his jeans, and smiles up at me) Well, at least I am prepared!
Scene: At Devonport rental, to be latter named “the ant house.” Alex is sitting on the livingroom floor eating raisins. Max and I are at the table working on his math.
Alex: MAMA!! MAMA!! MAH-MAAAAA
Me: (rushing over looking for blood) What? What is wrong?
Alex: LOOOOK! A-Zin Walk! A-Zin Walk! (translation: look, the raisin is walking)
Max: He is right! The raisin is moving!
I look down to see a dropped raisin (dropped not a 2 min earlier) being carried away by the ants. We moved the next day.
Arran keeps joking that our kids have taught him that the “nature” beats out “nurture” by a long shot. The fact is that Max and Alex just came out different. I was reminded of this again today when we were in the downtown section of Brisbane. It is winter break here and they had a little stage set up with someone in a koala suit and fake snow. Alex was thrilled; we could not unbuckle him from the stroller fast enough. And, when he was free he bounded up to the koala, hugged him and posed for a picture. I looked down at Max, before I could even ask, he replied, “Nope, there is no way I am going to touch that fake koala. Do you know how many germs are on that suit? Besides, it is just a man dressed up as a koala anyways.”
Me: Max, come take a 2 minute break on the bench. I just asked you not to run up the slide again.
Max: Fine. (runs over, plops onto the bench and pulls out a pocket notebook and a pencil out of his jeans, and smiles up at me) Well, at least I am prepared!
Scene: At Devonport rental, to be latter named “the ant house.” Alex is sitting on the livingroom floor eating raisins. Max and I are at the table working on his math.
Alex: MAMA!! MAMA!! MAH-MAAAAA
Me: (rushing over looking for blood) What? What is wrong?
Alex: LOOOOK! A-Zin Walk! A-Zin Walk! (translation: look, the raisin is walking)
Max: He is right! The raisin is moving!
I look down to see a dropped raisin (dropped not a 2 min earlier) being carried away by the ants. We moved the next day.
Arran keeps joking that our kids have taught him that the “nature” beats out “nurture” by a long shot. The fact is that Max and Alex just came out different. I was reminded of this again today when we were in the downtown section of Brisbane. It is winter break here and they had a little stage set up with someone in a koala suit and fake snow. Alex was thrilled; we could not unbuckle him from the stroller fast enough. And, when he was free he bounded up to the koala, hugged him and posed for a picture. I looked down at Max, before I could even ask, he replied, “Nope, there is no way I am going to touch that fake koala. Do you know how many germs are on that suit? Besides, it is just a man dressed up as a koala anyways.”
It is a funny phenomenon—as soon as my kids are in bed, and I am lying in my own, I miss them. The reason I find this strange is not that my kids are un-missable beings, in fact they are amazing little creatures that anyone would miss, but because on most days I have spent the entire day with them. And, to be honest, by about 1 hour before bedtime, I am ready to be by myself for a bit. Every night, after dinner is done and the kids are running manically through the playroom, I begin to feel itchy- itchy for the day to be done and for me to be in the comfort of my warm bed. But then, an hour and fifteen minutes later, I find myself wishing I could re-do the entire hour. I replay the scene in my head. And, most times, it is inevitable that I would have lost my patience- just a bit-at some point. When Max refused to stop running through the hallway and accidently knocks Alex over. Or, when Alex insists he needs to put all of his pajama parts on all by himself despite the tricky zipper in the back. I want to undue the irritation in my voice, or my sigh. I want to give each of them another hug, tell another story, or, at least not cut short the lame story I came up with. I think about how my mom will read endless books to Max at night, and I wish I would have done the same. I wonder if he sleeps better on those nights, if he goes to bed feeling more loved, more comforted. I vow to do better the next day.
It is in that hour, just after bedtime, when I remember that these days won’t last forever. If I am already missing the previous hour that slipped through my hands, how am I going to feel about months or years that seem to evaporate in an instant? I try to remember to not be so itchy the next day. To spend more time on the floor working on puzzles, or answering endless “why” questions that bring back memories of my dissertation defense. To walk outside and just look at the grass, and the bugs, and to notice that the crack in the sidewalk is in the shape of an “M”. Basically, to spend the time to soak up every last ounce of their sweetness, their innocence, their curiosity- them.
The next morning, I hear soft padding footsteps in my room and feel the cold feet of a preschooler on my calves. I turn over and Max whispers, “can I tell you about my dream? I dreamed about the horse from your story last night and I know what happens next.” And, as he proceeds to fill me in on the second part of the story, I realize that sometimes, despite the critic in my head at 7:15 pm, sometimes I may do things just right.
It is in that hour, just after bedtime, when I remember that these days won’t last forever. If I am already missing the previous hour that slipped through my hands, how am I going to feel about months or years that seem to evaporate in an instant? I try to remember to not be so itchy the next day. To spend more time on the floor working on puzzles, or answering endless “why” questions that bring back memories of my dissertation defense. To walk outside and just look at the grass, and the bugs, and to notice that the crack in the sidewalk is in the shape of an “M”. Basically, to spend the time to soak up every last ounce of their sweetness, their innocence, their curiosity- them.
The next morning, I hear soft padding footsteps in my room and feel the cold feet of a preschooler on my calves. I turn over and Max whispers, “can I tell you about my dream? I dreamed about the horse from your story last night and I know what happens next.” And, as he proceeds to fill me in on the second part of the story, I realize that sometimes, despite the critic in my head at 7:15 pm, sometimes I may do things just right.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Different
It is so cliche, but Max and Alex are different as night and day. Max has been serious from day 1. I remember taking him to his first pediatrician's appointment and listening to her exclaim "wow, he really has strong opinions." As an infant, he used to hold his breath when he got angry (and almost passed out a time or two). Then, he progressed to vomiting on demand whenever he was really unhappy with his situation. Regardless of his specific tactic, he seemed born able to get his way and willing to do what it takes to do so. In fact, even today, while his reasoning has progressed, he is still determined to get his way. He loves rules. Especially ones he makes up. In fact, maybe those are the only rules he likes. He has taken to writing down his rules and his schedule, and abides by them and expects everyone else to. Max recently decided that for his 5th birthday he would like to have a solo museum tour because he is worried his friends would not listen to the dinosaur workshop or dig for fossils correctly. He has a vocabulary that is out of this world (sometimes I feel I need a dictionary to talk with him) and is not afraid to be honest with his observations (e.g., "Mom, you are not doing the moves they are doing on Hi-5. It is a relaxing show, and you? You just look a little spastic. Maybe you should just sit and watch"). He is hilarious and comes up with things that are totally correct, but not things you would ever think a 4 year old would know or say. And, despite his eccentricities he is still one of the sweetest things in the world. He will come up and hold my hand, or climb in my lap, or just hug me. And, it makes me melt everytime.
Alex has always been much more easygoing than Max. In fact, Arran went away when Alex was 3 weeks old to a conference. He called to check-in and Alex was a bit fussy. He asked what the noise was and seemed completely startled when I replied that it was Alex. He had never heard him cry before then (and, to be honest, I am not sure I had either). While Max did not sleep until he was over 2, I had to wake Alex up to feed the week we came home from the hospital. Max will barely say hello to his Uncle who he sees regularly and shrinks away from any kid who comes to say hello when we enter his school. Alex waves and blows kisses to random strangers in the grocery store.
I am not sure how I ended up with two children so different, but I know I am incredibly lucky to get to experience both ends of the spectrum.
Alex has always been much more easygoing than Max. In fact, Arran went away when Alex was 3 weeks old to a conference. He called to check-in and Alex was a bit fussy. He asked what the noise was and seemed completely startled when I replied that it was Alex. He had never heard him cry before then (and, to be honest, I am not sure I had either). While Max did not sleep until he was over 2, I had to wake Alex up to feed the week we came home from the hospital. Max will barely say hello to his Uncle who he sees regularly and shrinks away from any kid who comes to say hello when we enter his school. Alex waves and blows kisses to random strangers in the grocery store.
I am not sure how I ended up with two children so different, but I know I am incredibly lucky to get to experience both ends of the spectrum.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Relocated
Apparently this will be a bi-annually updated blog as I have not posted in almost 9 months. But, seriously, I am going to try better (I say again). Life has changed a lot in 9 months. We have moved to Winston-Salem, NC. And, I am working on a much more part time basis. Although I have my ups (lots of time with the kids!) and downs (feeling as though I am not contributing enough to the household bottom-line) the overall verdict is that this was a very good move for our family. In fact, I would say the moments in which I feel maybe, possibly, perhaps, this change in our lifestyle may not have been the absolute positively best choice as I seem to SUCK at the whole mom-full-time thing are fleeting and normally occur directly after a day where everything seems to go wrong. More specifically, the feeling occurred only once. On Wednesday. Wednesday was bad... Max wakes up cranky ONLY wanting sausage for breakfast which, of course we don't have. After intense negotiations, I finally convince him to try hard boiled eggs and pumpkin pancakes for breakfast. Of course, this is more labor intensive and so I don't have time to clean up everything before we leave. And, we rush out the door at 8:00 with a sink full of dishes and it is not until I get in the car and am down the street that I realize that Max forgot his snack bag and Alex has no shoes on. Then, Alex begins to fall asleep in the car on the way to pre-school, which is BAD BAD BAD because I have to take him in with me to drop off Max and I really need him to hold on for just 15 minutes so that we can do that. In order to keep him awake, I play the radio, which makes Max angry because he wants to listen to his Magic Treehouse Book. So, he remarks that I never do anything he wants to do, and I feel guilty for the rest of the ride to school. After finishing the drop off, I realize I forgot the letters I was supposed to mail, but then it is too late because Alex already fell asleep, and I have to try to transfer him (unsuccessfully of course) into his bed. Then, on the way BACK to pick up Max I stop by WF to get milk and apples, and Alex apparently hands my keys off to some 7 year old boy who pockets them and takes them home. Alex and I continue to frantically look for the keys in WF for the next TWO hours until Arran finally has to bike up to give us his keys so we can go pick up poor Max late from pre-school (and remember, he only had pretzels and a granola bar for a snack since we forgot his snackbag which was full of grapes, milk, applesauce, nuts, and broccoli... And there is more, but I am done for now...)
Onto brighter things... MY BOYS! Here are updates on the fantastic men in my life:
Arran: He loves his job it seems. Lots more meetings (read: more social interaction) but he seems to really be thriving. I am so happy.
Max: Max is really just a mini-Arran in so many ways. At his 4 year check up he was 42 inches and 35lbs. He is a skinny thing, but has visible abs (yes, I am a bit jealous). This past summer in NZ, he was not afraid to go into winter waters and climb dangerous rocks. He can walk for miles without complaint and now often accompanies us on Harley's walks. He has started soccer since moving to NC, and grandma taught him how to swim halfway across the pool in one afternoon this past June. He is fearless and athletic. Socially, he is coming out of his shell a bit more. He used to use the "I am shy" as a cover allowing him to avoid talking to people he did not know well. Now, he is becoming a bit more outgoing. He will talk to people in grocery stores or on the street during our walks. He is very observant and very curious. He loves math and reading. Oh! Yes! Reading! He has been reading simple books for a bit now and it is fantastic! He loves to read to Alex, and Alex loves the attention. Recent Maxisms that have cracked me up:
- The other day he asked me why I shave my legs, and I told him because hair grows on them, and I don't want to have hairy legs. He told me that he would let me in on a secret and whispered that "dad has hair around his private parts." I replied "oh really?" and he continued, "Yes, and he said that when I get older I will get hair in all sorts of weird places too!"
0 Max: Mom, did you know we have bugs on our tounge.
Me: Really? No.
Max: Yes, they help us taste things
Me: Oh! You mean buds. Yes, we have taste buds. It is buds with a "D" not bugs with a "G"
Max: Are you sure? It would really be much cooler if they were bugs. I think Ms. Chrys said bugs.
- Arran and I allow Max to ask any questions he wants at dinner time. He has asked about clouds, rain, superheros, Arran's dad, etc. One day we were doing this and Arran got up to go and get some water. While he was gone, Max thought of a question he wanted to ask. He began, then, looked at me and stopped. I encouraged him to go one. He said, "no offense mom, but I just don't think you can handle it. I will wait for dad to get back." The question was about Ironman. So, in hindsight, I probably could not have handled it.
Alex: Alex is my happy, adorable, flirty baby. At his 12 month appointment he was 32.75 inches and 25 lbs. His feet are size 7.5 extra extra wide. He has curly blondish hair and still has dimples on his elbows. He began walking at 9 months, and has not stopped since. Now he runs everywhere. His favorite game is to chase Max. He recently has started mimicking things we do. Especially Arran's workouts. He LOVES to work out. People think I stage pictures of him with the weights, but I don't. If he is left out of a workout he will scream like a banchee at the porch door until someone lets him into the "gym". He is starting to speak more. His most used words are: "mama, dada, ball, Brobro (Brother), Keys, Shoes, Up, Down, Out, more, please (comes out peas)" He also signs a fair amount. Mainly, he signs more + please constantly during dinner so that Arran will give him sips of his water from his kleen kanteen jug. Alex loves rice, steak, chicken, broccoli, and peas. He has a cow's milk intolerance, but does okay with goat milk and coconut milk.
Alex and Max are completely different but both own my heart. I am amazed and so grateful that I get to spend each day with these boys. I really do have a charmed life.
Onto brighter things... MY BOYS! Here are updates on the fantastic men in my life:
Arran: He loves his job it seems. Lots more meetings (read: more social interaction) but he seems to really be thriving. I am so happy.
Max: Max is really just a mini-Arran in so many ways. At his 4 year check up he was 42 inches and 35lbs. He is a skinny thing, but has visible abs (yes, I am a bit jealous). This past summer in NZ, he was not afraid to go into winter waters and climb dangerous rocks. He can walk for miles without complaint and now often accompanies us on Harley's walks. He has started soccer since moving to NC, and grandma taught him how to swim halfway across the pool in one afternoon this past June. He is fearless and athletic. Socially, he is coming out of his shell a bit more. He used to use the "I am shy" as a cover allowing him to avoid talking to people he did not know well. Now, he is becoming a bit more outgoing. He will talk to people in grocery stores or on the street during our walks. He is very observant and very curious. He loves math and reading. Oh! Yes! Reading! He has been reading simple books for a bit now and it is fantastic! He loves to read to Alex, and Alex loves the attention. Recent Maxisms that have cracked me up:
- The other day he asked me why I shave my legs, and I told him because hair grows on them, and I don't want to have hairy legs. He told me that he would let me in on a secret and whispered that "dad has hair around his private parts." I replied "oh really?" and he continued, "Yes, and he said that when I get older I will get hair in all sorts of weird places too!"
0 Max: Mom, did you know we have bugs on our tounge.
Me: Really? No.
Max: Yes, they help us taste things
Me: Oh! You mean buds. Yes, we have taste buds. It is buds with a "D" not bugs with a "G"
Max: Are you sure? It would really be much cooler if they were bugs. I think Ms. Chrys said bugs.
- Arran and I allow Max to ask any questions he wants at dinner time. He has asked about clouds, rain, superheros, Arran's dad, etc. One day we were doing this and Arran got up to go and get some water. While he was gone, Max thought of a question he wanted to ask. He began, then, looked at me and stopped. I encouraged him to go one. He said, "no offense mom, but I just don't think you can handle it. I will wait for dad to get back." The question was about Ironman. So, in hindsight, I probably could not have handled it.
Alex: Alex is my happy, adorable, flirty baby. At his 12 month appointment he was 32.75 inches and 25 lbs. His feet are size 7.5 extra extra wide. He has curly blondish hair and still has dimples on his elbows. He began walking at 9 months, and has not stopped since. Now he runs everywhere. His favorite game is to chase Max. He recently has started mimicking things we do. Especially Arran's workouts. He LOVES to work out. People think I stage pictures of him with the weights, but I don't. If he is left out of a workout he will scream like a banchee at the porch door until someone lets him into the "gym". He is starting to speak more. His most used words are: "mama, dada, ball, Brobro (Brother), Keys, Shoes, Up, Down, Out, more, please (comes out peas)" He also signs a fair amount. Mainly, he signs more + please constantly during dinner so that Arran will give him sips of his water from his kleen kanteen jug. Alex loves rice, steak, chicken, broccoli, and peas. He has a cow's milk intolerance, but does okay with goat milk and coconut milk.
Alex and Max are completely different but both own my heart. I am amazed and so grateful that I get to spend each day with these boys. I really do have a charmed life.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Been a while
It has been a while. Watching Alex grow up I have realized I don't have the steel trap memory I thought I did. I would have sworn I had engrained Max's early years into my brain. And, truthfully some I have. But, others are a litttle fuzzy. When did he sit up again? Did he smile as much as Alex does? Anyhow, both are at such amazing ages that I want to record a few things every week, so I really cannot forget. I know I will enjoy re-living these moments through my memories.
At 6 months Alex is 21 lbs and 29 inches. He is a tank, but his growth is slowing. At just under 2 months he was 16lbs, which was double his birthweight. He is just adorable in every way. A very happy, smiling baby. His funniest trick is to scream when he is really excited. It is hilarious. He has been doing it since he was a couple of weeks old. He has a silly grin on his face and just screetches. Arran and Max love it and mimick him, which only makes him scream louder. He also is rolling everywhere. he can wiggle out of his bouncy seat if not strapped in and rolls across the floor. He scoots a bit too, but not true crawling yet. He tries to stand, and then will let go of your hands as if he could actually hold his body weight. Clearly, the boy wants to move!
Max, oh Max. He is such a character. So strong willed. He makes me cry tears of joy, amazement, and frustration on an almost weekly (if not daily basis). He is so full of life and such a joy to be around (most times). He is so incredibly stubborn and so incredibly bright. He is sweet and caring. He says the funniest things. The other day he was trying to describe to Tracy (his sitter/best friend) how to correctly fly batman. When she just did not seem to get it, he sighed and declared "Obviously you are not getting it. So, let me give you a visual." Such a cutie that one.
At 6 months Alex is 21 lbs and 29 inches. He is a tank, but his growth is slowing. At just under 2 months he was 16lbs, which was double his birthweight. He is just adorable in every way. A very happy, smiling baby. His funniest trick is to scream when he is really excited. It is hilarious. He has been doing it since he was a couple of weeks old. He has a silly grin on his face and just screetches. Arran and Max love it and mimick him, which only makes him scream louder. He also is rolling everywhere. he can wiggle out of his bouncy seat if not strapped in and rolls across the floor. He scoots a bit too, but not true crawling yet. He tries to stand, and then will let go of your hands as if he could actually hold his body weight. Clearly, the boy wants to move!
Max, oh Max. He is such a character. So strong willed. He makes me cry tears of joy, amazement, and frustration on an almost weekly (if not daily basis). He is so full of life and such a joy to be around (most times). He is so incredibly stubborn and so incredibly bright. He is sweet and caring. He says the funniest things. The other day he was trying to describe to Tracy (his sitter/best friend) how to correctly fly batman. When she just did not seem to get it, he sighed and declared "Obviously you are not getting it. So, let me give you a visual." Such a cutie that one.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Big cousin
Well, so much for my promise to keep this blog up to date. In my defense, we have been through a lot in the last couple of months. We have spent endless hours real estate shopping... but at least now we have a great house. Arran and I started working and Max started his new school. He loves his new school. He is in the penguin classroom, and looks forward to seeing his penguin friends everyday.
In even more exciting news Max has a new cousin! Ashley had a baby boy named Robert Peterson (Beau) and Max and I just went to visit him. Max adored baby Beau and loved having the chance to kiss and hold him. Since we have returned to Champaign, he has thought of baby Beau often. He will occassionally ask, "Where is baby Beau?" or "What is baby Beau doing?" Yesterday, when I did not answer the latter quick enough, he replied to himself, "he is probably nursing." I found that really funny. And, to be honest, with the way Beau eats, he was probably right!
Here is a picture of Max and 1.5 week old Beau:
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