conversations with my little dude

oops - forgot to post this!  sorry of my life these days.

there is nothing quite as funny as conversations with my almost three-year old.  he is priceless.

the other morning, when he was running to the van (because i'm learned 2-year old boys rarely walk!), he fell and scraped the palm of his hand.

after the tears were dried and the hand was kissed numerous times, we started chatting as i backed out of the driveway.

j:  mommy, did you ever scrap your hand a-fore?

m: i sure did.

j: did you ever scrap your knee a-fore?

me: i sure did and i ripped a hole in my pants! (sadly, i was referring to an instance only a few years ago...)

j: {makes a shocked wide-open-mouthed expression... it was so sweet!}

the van is quiet for a few minutes.  he's pondering.

j: my hand is steamin'.

me: your hand is "steaming"?!

j: ya, it's steamin' real bad! 

(starts crying again)

me: do you mean stinging?!

j:  YA, it's steamin' REAL bad!

me:  try licking it! 

(i don't really know what to say to be helpful.  i thought licking it might help...!?)

licking his hand for a few minutes.

stops

j:  frogs got real long tongues.

m: really?! 

(the licking distraction worked.  score one for me!)

j:  i got a real little tongue.

me: oh, really?!

j: you got a real long tongue.  continues licking.

oooooh, man.  kid, you make me laugh and fill my life with little moments of joy.  thank you, little j, for being my boy. 

letter to my girls :: 10 months

to my girls,

how in the world are you 10 months old?!  this past year has been so full, so fully alive.  how is it almost your birthday?  with each new tooth you spring, i mourn the speed that your first months have passed, but i am also so happy to see you growing, to wonder who you'll become.

i look at you sometimes still and wonder how in the world you are both mine.  i wonder why in the world God trusted you to me. i wonder how to be a good mom to little girls, but i have more faith now that i will figure it out along the way; that the love i have for you will overcome my fears.

everly, you are full of spunk and smirks.  you talk non-stop, babbling "daddadadadada" or "mom mom mom" during dinnertime or "yayayayayaya" when you are happy and trying to get judah's attention.   you make me laugh with your continual "smoking" of everything in sight - play carrots, real carrots, felts, toys, anything you can find.  you have a mischievous gleam to your eyes but are also content and quietly observe the craziness around you.  we call you ever & evie & ever-eeeee (judah's favorite nickname for you!)  i love you, my lovely girl.

bria, you are full of giggles and smiles.  you growl, like a tiger.  all. the. time.  it is the funniest thing and stops people in their tracks.  you are the prettiest tiger around.  you baby babble, but rarely.  and usually only when the other two are quiet.  you climb everything.  you are so, so happy when teetering on top of a chair or a stool or a toy.  it scares me.  you hid under everything else.  it makes me laugh.  we usually call you bee or, less often, bree.  i love you, my sweet bee.

xo

your mom.

p.s. - thank you for choosing this month, on the same week, to start sleeping through the night.  you gave me a new level of sanity and i will be forever grateful.

five things

 comeback kid (that's my dog) by brett dennen

{as embarrassing as it is, i have to admit, i have been blasting this song in the ole' minivan lately.  something about it just makes me feel like dancing.}

{between the recipes and the toddler activities and the photo inspiration.  yup, i'm a.d.d.i.c.t.e.d.}

{it has been a long time since i've read a novel of jodi picoult.  the thing i forgot i love about her writing is that she deals with complex, heart-wretching issues.  this one didn't disappoint.  except for the ending.  a total shocker.  but a sad shocker.  and it made me mad.  i almost threw the book across the kitchen.  its been a long time since a novel made me get mad at it... *be warned!*}

{this nail polish for my little dude.  he loves his toes painted.  and this glittery grey keeps daddy happy (cause it's not pink!) and it keeps mommy happy cause its made without yucky stuff that is in normal nail polish.  apparently you can DRINK the nail polish remover.  we haven't tried it. yet.}

{jillian michael's pumpkin cranberry recipe -- ooooooh, momma.  the recipe uses pumpkin, coconut milk, maple syrup, and olive oil in place of sugar and butter.  delicious and moist.  they were a hit with both my boys!}