Mothers Day with Sharks

Kahlo hanging out under the umbrella

What a long weekend! Since it was forecast to rain Sunday we decided to celebrate Mothers day at the beach Saturday. Packing up for a day at the beach with 2 kids and a baby is an all-day event within itself. After (what felt like) 3 hours of loading the car – Amy turned to me and said “Do you remember when all we needed were a few snacks, sun block and beach chairs?” She was tired, very tired – it was 10am and she had been up for hours preparing for our day – a day that was to celebrate mothers day – a day she wanted to be perfect for me…I wanted her to know that the kids and I appreciated her, to know that times really haven’t changed all that much…so, I reminded her that back then, when we could go off without any kids, we didn’t just need snacks, sun block and beach chairs- we also needed towels. Then I assured her that if the kids did not have an absolutely amazing time – I would ground them both, until they were very, very old.

Luckily for the kids, they did have an amazing time and Amy got some much needed relaxation. Kahlo and I spent most of our time sitting underneath our umbrella putting every toy she could in her mouth – after about an hour I realized it is pointless obsessing over all the sand – at a beach, no matter how much you try – you will leave with a sandy baby...

playing in the water

Amy, BT and Pi spent most of their time body-boarding, I went out myself once or twice, but after a small shark fin was spotted – I decided better them than me and stayed close to shore. Between getting eaten by a shark (Amy assured me it was only large enough to eat a hand or foot) or playing with the baby, I will ALWAYS pick playing with the baby…

they think they are fish - they never left the water

I am happy to say we made it home without being eaten by a shark.

This morning I woke up to coffee and kids jumping out from behind the table screaming “happy mothers day” – It was wonderful. As a mother’s day gift I got a scroll saw, I have been wanting one for a while.

Amy went out of her way to make this an amazing Mothers Day for me…it was.

Tonight, she was in bed before 7:30pm, it’s the best Mothers Day gift I could think of for her…I know she will wake up the second I climb in bed…I am trying to prolong that as long as possible.

three long weeks

I have returned…after three long, long, long weeks of finals preparation and settling into a new job…Somehow we have endured…I do not know how…

In the last few weeks Kahlo has crawled for the first time, stood without support for the first time and has had 4 teeth come in. Amy and I celebrated our 2-year wedding anniversary and the kids have survived another year of state mandated standardized testing.

Finals ended last weekend – we both entered this week feeling exhausted and renewed. We have been able to spend more time together as a family – giving Amy and I that “oh ya, that’s why we had children, I forgot we liked being parents” moment.

Last night we took the kids to one of our favorite coffee shops. We made up an impromptu game of trivia. The rules – you have to ask a question you don’t think anyone else knows, it has to be about someone in our own family, you have to know the answer. It was a good reminder that children do indeed have small brains.

The questions varied from “what is the first thing mommy would do if she won the Lottery” to “what is BT’s favorite color”… some of the highlights:

“What does mama (me) do at work” answer: “ohhh, ohhh, I know! She plays on the Internet and draw pictures” (ummm…no)

“What does mommy (Amy) do all day while we are at school/work” answer: “she watches movies, checks her e-mail and takes naps” (I think she is still bitter about this one)

“What do you think Kahlo will be when she grows up” answer: “ She likes to bang on things so maybe she’ll be one of those tough chicks that builds houses or something” (Pi is not sure she will be able to get a job because she cries all the time)

“What makes BT more mad than anything else in the world” answer: “mommy”

I have truly missed my family!

a day most important

happy anniversary, beautiful.
always yours. always...

Gentle Reminder

Dear self,

Don't forget you love sleep and that you think mornings are horrible.

From time to time, you like to pretend you love school and work, when really - you love guacamole, you really really do.

Toys for Monkey

I get ideas in my head...too many ideas. I tend to think I can do anything, or at the very least that I can make anything. If you couple the fact that I think I can make anything with the fact that I love to make just about everything you have an endless supply of projects and to-do lists. So, when I found myself browsing for new toys that Kahlo just "must have" (which really means that I must have for her) the thought came accross my mind to make her some toys myself. So I did. I spent last weekend, not working, not studying, not going to class, not cooking, not cleaning, not being productive in any way what-so-ever...BUT instead of all those (not nearly as fun) things, I found myself, cutting and sanding wood and painting my very own designs onto blocks. Although they did not come out perfect... they did come out - I now have a little more of an idea on how I can make them even better next time!

here they are...

Bear



Elephant



Monkey



Owl



Pigs



Shark



All mixed together.

monster makes noise

Last night, when we went to check on Kahlo she was on her stomach with her knees folded and her rear up in the air. It was cute. Damn cute. I held Amy close to me as we had an ultra-cheesy-motherly moment of staring at our perfect child [or monster - whatever]. We ohhhhed and awwwwed much longer than any two adults should [at least any two adults with a life outside of parenthood]. Just as I was questioning my sanity for staring so long at a small child sleep [I do have MANY MANY other things that should be done], Kahlo let out the largest, nastiest fart you could EVER imagine! I'm not sure how such a loud noise comes from such a small butt...we both almost died trying to keep the laughter down to a minimum...we need more laughs like that...

momma and baby

As promised...On Sunday I took over all baby duties and Amy got some much needed rest.

Our day began as follows

5:43am

Amy: Are you really going to let me sleep in?

Me: [in a deep coma-like stupor] uhmmhmmm

Amy: Then why are you sleeping?

Me: [vague sounds of a wailing baby begin to find their way to my ears] I'm up!!!!

within the first 2.5 minutes I leap out of bed, use the restroom, change a diaper, make a bottle, grab my blanket and pillow and small child...and we journey to the living room to begin our day...

This is a pictorial essay of our morning...

we stumble into the living room suck down a bottle and play for hours [I spent my early morning still in a stupor, getting slapped by the occasional stray ball or baby foot]

Kahlo slept for about half an hour...I dont have a picture of this as I was trying my best to sleep AND stay alert. [hardwood floors do NOT make for a comfortable nap]


I got dressed for my day...[Kahlo watched from the bathroom floor]





We [she] ate





She fed herself











Let the dog out [after she begs and begs and begs then does the pee pee dance]








Boiled water






Made bottles






Packed diaper bag





Went to the grocery store for ingredients to mommies favorite meal





Got take out of mommies favorite brunch





woke mommy and wowed her with our productivity [10:30am]



for the purpose of NOT being repetitive I left out feedings and diaper changes (1 poopie and 3 wet]

As a side note: Amy was very impressed with all that I had gotten accomplished [until she walked out of the bedroom and found toys scattered, baby food all over the kitchen, dirty clothes in the bathroom, formula spilled on the counter...]