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July 30, 2010
I know this picture sucks. But I only had our old crappy camera, the one that doesn't take pictures fast enough if you have kids. I knew everyone would think I was nuts or the world's meanest mom had I brought our good camera for today's events. And I don't want all my pictures to be of Cole... Pearl might get jealous someday and think we never did anything with her.
But this afternoon was all about her. She had her dentist appointment. After the last fiasco at the doctor's I asked Jeff to come along for the experience. And since this is her third time going, I knew what we were in for and needed his support. The second they called her name she started screaming. And if you thought shots were bad, multiple the sheer terror and screams by about 50. I couldn't believe they were actually able to get some x-rays of her little teeth (super cute and way interesting to see her permanent teeth under them). But we couldn't convince her to sit in the chair to get her teeth cleaned. So, being the mean, feeling-less (is that a word?) mom I am, I held her down and pried open her mouth so they could try and clean them. All while silently praying she didn't bite anyone. You'd never know we had the sweetest pediatric dentist you could find with all of Pearl's screams. At least she was able to poke a few of her teeth this time and give us a clean bill of health for another six months.
At this point, with all her movies in time out for the fit she threw, we figured what the hay, we might as well drag this out and go get the truck washed and waxed. Jeff spent his entire gift card he got for Father's Day at the car wash place. A little steep but he was sure happy knowing he wouldn't have to spend an entire day waxing the truck. Pearl threw fit numero dos as we were leaving because she was having so much fun in their kids' area. It was a pretty cool set up to see what was going on... guess that's why it cost $50. And the truck looked brand spankin' new when it was finished!
Fit #3 came this evening, at David and Vickie's house. She had been bugging her Jeff all through the one show he likes to watch during the week - Friday Night Lights - then dropped her Popsicle on him, was climbing all over him and squashing him in the wrong spot if you catch my drift, and the last straw was sticking her tongue out and spitting. It wasn't pretty. But she was in bed before 9!
July 29, 2010
Nothing special happened today. In fact now I can't remember what we did all day. What I do know is that I was shocked when Pearl suddenly decided she wasn't afraid of ants anymore. And that apparently she feels the need to befriend them by feeding the entire colony. We were munching on some chips on the front porch when she announced, "Mom, you proud of me. I sharing my chips with the ants." Huh? When did this happen? Sharing? Liking bugs? Understanding what it means to be proud of something? I guess whatever it takes to teach her how to be nice to others and make good choices is fine by me... even if we have a house full of ants now.
July 28, 2010
I'm about to admit something that is quite pathetic, considering I have a Masters degree and feel I am somewhat intelligent. I sat down and read a book today... for pleasure. I think it's been at least five, yes five, years since I hunkered down and read a book just because I wanted to. I used to read all the time. Jeff even asked where his wife was - the wife that doesn't read books for fun. But when you read reports and scientific journals all day at work and then go home to read textbooks and children's books before bedtime, reading another book is the last thing you want to do. Since I have no clue what's the latest fad in reading these days, I asked my sister to give me something, thinking in all reality I wouldn't get past the first few chapters before having to change a diaper and that I wouldn't finish it. She asked if I was a fast reader, which I responded yes. So she handed me this book. I finished it in less than 24 hours... without staying up late and totally ignoring my children either. I guess I still do remember how to read. And that I enjoy it.
July 27, 2010
I held Cole just a little tighter today... and not just because he wouldn't nap and by bedtime was hysterical... but because I was reminded just how lucky I am to have him. Without going into details, my brother and sister-in-law are going through a really hard time right now. I don't know how they feel or what to say since I've never gone through this myself. I'm at a loss for words and aching for them. As weird as it may sound, their experience has quickly reminded me to be grateful for every cry, poopy diaper, smile, laugh, and coo. Grateful for this sweet little boy, with his wild blonde hair, who wants me to hold him all day long. I love him so much and can't imagine life without him (or Pearl for that matter). I am eternally indebted to my Heavenly Father for this wonderful gift to be a mother. I know families are eternal. I believe things have a way of working out when all hope seems lost and when we are in our deepest despairs. And even though we still experience the pain in these moments, I know there is a plan that can bring us greater joy than we can possibly imagine if we can just hold on. I hope and pray Jesse and Emily can find comfort in knowing this too.
July 26, 2010
Anyone who has taken kids to the grocery store knows what a fun adventure that can be, especially if your kid is like Pearl and insists on riding in one of those monstrous car carts that are a royal pain-in-the-you-know-what to push around and covered in who knows what kind ofgerms. And as is typical, five minutes into the shopping trip Pearl decides she doesn't want to stay put in them. I had no idea though that this battle would pale in comparison to taking her to the grocery store once she discovered some stores have kid carts to push around. And she remembers exactly which stores have them... stores that are not our typical stomping grounds when it comes to groceries. The first time I took her to our normal grocery store she screamed and screamed at me to go to the "other store with the carts." It was fun dragging a screaming toddler around along with her screaming brother.
But I didn't get a college education for nothing. The few remaining brain cells left in me sparked a brilliant idea that has made grocery shopping with Pearl actually enjoyable. Sometimes a bit more expensive than originally anticipated but enjoyable nonetheless. I pack her own midget-sized grocery cart to push around. Sure it's not as sturdy as the ones the "other store" provides but Pearl doesn't care. She happily pushes that thing up and down every isle jabbering about what she needs to buy. And until today, she's only tried to sneak in healthy treats like grapes and bananas. Apparently she saw a good deal on Oreos and Doritos because the next thing I know Pearl is shouting at me from the opposite end of the isle that we need cookies. She was so proud of herself for getting them off the display shelf and putting them in her cart that I didn't have the heart to tell her to put them back. When we got to the checkout line she nearly had a conniption fit when the bagger didn't immediately put them back in her cart. I had to grab them myself and stick them in her cart to calm her down. Of course I am now regretting my decision... as I've eaten almost the entire bag of Oreos. I guess next time I will be handing Pearl a list of stuff we actually need to keep her from sneaking in anymore treats.
July 25, 2010
It might not seem like a big deal to anyone else, but I nearly cried this morning when I saw what Jeff put Cole in. It wasn't that his clothes were uncoordinated or ugly - in fact he looked quite handsome today - but the size of them! If you look really closely at the tag in his shorts you'll see they are 3-6 months. WHAT? When did my baby get big enough to start wearing 3-6 months? I just might go through with my threats to stop feeding him so he stays little forever!
July 24, 2010
We headed down to Orangeville for my Peacock Family reunion today. Every year we have an auction to help pay for the next year's reunion expenses. And every year I have to outbid my relatives to get some of my grandpa's handmade items. It's the only way I can get them because he gives them away to everybody! This year he made 47 tops to give to all the kids. We must have learned our lesson last year with the rubber band guns and the tears of several little boys (and girls) who didn't get one, even with bids of "all my money!" being shouted because this year no one had to bid on them... just scramble to grab one out of the box. It was total chaos for about 10 seconds until all the tops were spoken for. When I realized there was no way our kids stood a chance pushing their way in the crowd to get theirs, I leaned over to Jeff and told him to grab one. But Jeff is smarter than I give him credit for.... he held up a top marked with a triple X (code for good spinner) and just smiled.
July 30, 2010
