We were out late last night. We didn't get home until after bedtime. Still, I gave each of the boys a donut. They wanted dessert, and I had gotten them donuts for dessert. This was silly. Donuts right before bed. Silly. Won't do it again. Those kids did not fall asleep until an hour and a half after their normal bedtime! Devin was really the dynamic that was keeping them both awake. Calling himself Winnie the Pooh, he just would not go to sleep.
I went to their room about an hour and 15 minutes into their awake time, and I quietly talked to Devin. He said, "I weally, weally wuff oo. I weally, weally wuff oo." Then he squeezed my nose and said "Squeeze, Squeeze." I told him to go to sleep. He told me that he weally, weally wuffed me. I told that I really loved him too, and he said, "NO! I weally, weally wuff oo!" Then he poked me in my eye and laughed.
Quietly in my just above a whisper voice, I promised him a donut for breakfast if he stayed in bed and went to sleep.
It worked.
This morning, he had a donut for breakfast. They really are breakfast foods and not bedtime snacks.
Part II:
Devin came over to me this morning in the living room, looked at the floor, and said, "that mumbly monster is weally scary. That mumbly monster is weally, weally skerring me." I looked at the floor. He was looking at a fuzzball from Socks. I really ought to vacuum.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
You know who's cute?
My baby's daddy.
This morning, we dressed Devin in a long sleeved shirt with construction equipment on it. It's a little chilly, so daddy got out Devin's jacket. But, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the vest that went with Devin's shirt. He said, "OH!", and then promptly threw the jacket aside and added the coordinating vest to Devin's ensemble.
Perfect! And, isn't that just cute as can be?
This morning, we dressed Devin in a long sleeved shirt with construction equipment on it. It's a little chilly, so daddy got out Devin's jacket. But, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the vest that went with Devin's shirt. He said, "OH!", and then promptly threw the jacket aside and added the coordinating vest to Devin's ensemble.
Perfect! And, isn't that just cute as can be?
So very Talkative
Devin is a happy, happy child. He talks a lot, he smiles a lot. He cries every now and then, but he never really throws tantrums. At least, he doesn't throw tantrums the same way that Trevor does. Thank Goodness. By the time he has grown into them, hopefully Trevor has grown out of them. Otherwise, I will lose my sanity. I.WILL.LOSE.MY.SANITY.
Well, the other day, I was in the basement playing on the computer and Devin asked me for juice. I told him to go ask Dad because he was already upstairs with the juice.
He went up to Daddy and said, "I want juice. It's in the kitchen."
I don't know. If he knows it's in the kitchen, why doesn't he just get it himself?
Ya know, the point of this story is that Devin brings joy with his happy little self. He gets away with a lot, too, with his happy little self. Maybe, he'll come to understand that I won't be able to say no to his happy little self and never enter the tantrum phase. That would be so cool. Maybe.
Well, the other day, I was in the basement playing on the computer and Devin asked me for juice. I told him to go ask Dad because he was already upstairs with the juice.
He went up to Daddy and said, "I want juice. It's in the kitchen."
I don't know. If he knows it's in the kitchen, why doesn't he just get it himself?
Ya know, the point of this story is that Devin brings joy with his happy little self. He gets away with a lot, too, with his happy little self. Maybe, he'll come to understand that I won't be able to say no to his happy little self and never enter the tantrum phase. That would be so cool. Maybe.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Raindrops are falling on my car
We got a little rain yesterday. Not a whole lot, but enough to make the normally competent Chicagoland drivers a bit skittish. Seeing long lines of traffic on my normal route and wanting to avoid that, I took a different route. My decision was not smart. I ended up being stuck on a mile long road for 10 to 15 minutes.
The boys were antsy about this. They both kept telling me to go. Trevor said, "Why can't you go around these cars?" I told him that would be unsafe. "Why would it be unsafe?" I told him because I would have to get into the other lane and that other lane was for oncoming traffic. "Why would that be unsafe?" I told him it would be unsafe because those cars would hit me, and then we would crash, and then we would die, maybe, or at least, we would get hurt. Then, I told him he was distracting me and I had to drive.
Two minutes later, Devin said, "GO, MOMMY!" I told him that I couldn't.
Another minute passed and Trevor says, "MOM, THIS TRAFFIC IS BACKING ME UP! IT'S FREAKING ME OUT!"
Left with no other choices, I giggled. That was funny.
The boys were antsy about this. They both kept telling me to go. Trevor said, "Why can't you go around these cars?" I told him that would be unsafe. "Why would it be unsafe?" I told him because I would have to get into the other lane and that other lane was for oncoming traffic. "Why would that be unsafe?" I told him it would be unsafe because those cars would hit me, and then we would crash, and then we would die, maybe, or at least, we would get hurt. Then, I told him he was distracting me and I had to drive.
Two minutes later, Devin said, "GO, MOMMY!" I told him that I couldn't.
Another minute passed and Trevor says, "MOM, THIS TRAFFIC IS BACKING ME UP! IT'S FREAKING ME OUT!"
Left with no other choices, I giggled. That was funny.
Monday, May 14, 2007
A new blog
I am a blogging fool. This weekend, I had an idea for a site that could potentially get real traffic and also provide me with a professional type outlet in case I am not able to keep my job with my current company.
In my last few jobs, people normally make their way to my cube and say things like, "I hear that you're an Excel Guru. Can you help me with something?" And, I go to their cube and help them with the something they need help with and try to leave them with some other tip or trick I've picked up over the years. In my own mind, I am a super-user of Excel. And, it's probably my favorite application at the moment. Pivot tables make me giddy.
If you're a regular user or a super user of Excel, don't expect to be impressed with my content just yet. I've started simple with tips and tricks that I'm always surprised people don't know. I expect to get into the heavy stuff soon, though. Take a look, and let me know what you think:
Your Excel Guru for the Office
In my last few jobs, people normally make their way to my cube and say things like, "I hear that you're an Excel Guru. Can you help me with something?" And, I go to their cube and help them with the something they need help with and try to leave them with some other tip or trick I've picked up over the years. In my own mind, I am a super-user of Excel. And, it's probably my favorite application at the moment. Pivot tables make me giddy.
If you're a regular user or a super user of Excel, don't expect to be impressed with my content just yet. I've started simple with tips and tricks that I'm always surprised people don't know. I expect to get into the heavy stuff soon, though. Take a look, and let me know what you think:
Your Excel Guru for the Office
Friday, May 11, 2007
it's called "Positive Redirection"
The other day when I picked up the kids from school, Trevor told me that he had been invited to a birthday party. I casually mentioned how nice that was but that I had not picked up the invitation because I didn't go into his room (he was outside on the playground when I picked him up.) He stopped dead in his tracks and told me that we had to go back in to get the invitation. Picking these two up is a chore. 100 feet from the car, the only thing I go back for is if he has to potty. So, I casually told him that we would pick it up the next day. He had a melt down. He called me "stupid." He told me that I was not his mother any longer. He told me that I would no longer be allowed to take him to daycare. And, then he called me stupid again. He may have said he hated me, but if he did, I'm blocking it.
Fast forward to this morning.
Devin started saying the word, "Stupid." He said it over and over and over, and my telling him to stop only prompted him to kick the seat in front of him and say the word even more.
I know he looks up to Trevor, so I asked Trevor to tell him that Stupid was a bad word. Trevor said, "Devin, Stupid is a bad. Another word you can say is Awesome or Cool."
WOW. My kid is using a tactic on his brother. I was impressed. This was not my tactic. My tactic came next.
"Devin, you have one more chance. This is your final chance. If you say stupid again, you will get a time-out. Do you want a time-out?"
It seemed to work. Devin stopped saying stupid. I'm not sure if it was Trevor's tactic or my tactic that worked, but Devin stopped saying stupid. UNTIL. UNTIL. UNTIL Trevor brought it up again.
Two minutes after Devin last said Stupid, Trevor said, "Are you done saying Stupid, Devin?"
Devin said, "Stupid, Stupid, Stupid" and started kicking the seat in front of him.
When I got to school, I told Trevor's teacher about the incident in the car about how Trevor offered different words that Devin might be able to say instead of stupid. I told her it wasn't my tactic at all and that I expected it was hers.
"Ahhh," she said. "Yes. It's called Positive Redirection."
He's like a little sponge, that Trevor.
Fast forward to this morning.
Devin started saying the word, "Stupid." He said it over and over and over, and my telling him to stop only prompted him to kick the seat in front of him and say the word even more.
I know he looks up to Trevor, so I asked Trevor to tell him that Stupid was a bad word. Trevor said, "Devin, Stupid is a bad. Another word you can say is Awesome or Cool."
WOW. My kid is using a tactic on his brother. I was impressed. This was not my tactic. My tactic came next.
"Devin, you have one more chance. This is your final chance. If you say stupid again, you will get a time-out. Do you want a time-out?"
It seemed to work. Devin stopped saying stupid. I'm not sure if it was Trevor's tactic or my tactic that worked, but Devin stopped saying stupid. UNTIL. UNTIL. UNTIL Trevor brought it up again.
Two minutes after Devin last said Stupid, Trevor said, "Are you done saying Stupid, Devin?"
Devin said, "Stupid, Stupid, Stupid" and started kicking the seat in front of him.
When I got to school, I told Trevor's teacher about the incident in the car about how Trevor offered different words that Devin might be able to say instead of stupid. I told her it wasn't my tactic at all and that I expected it was hers.
"Ahhh," she said. "Yes. It's called Positive Redirection."
He's like a little sponge, that Trevor.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Aunt Mickey Mouse and the local Cemetery
I am so proud of my sister, Vikki. She finished a two year degree in two years despite having a tiny little baby at home and then getting pregnant with Baby Number 2 before finishing the program. She's an Amazing Person. I think she loses sight of that sometimes, but it's true. Few people in the WORLD can do what she did. Amazing.
We were on the phone the other day and the kids were all over me, so I said to her, "HERE, talk to Devin!" I told Devin, "Say something to your Aunt Vikki."
He grinned and said, "Hello Mickey Mouse!" I am raising a couple of Disney Freaks, it's true!
Vikki works for a funeral home now. She takes care of the dead and their loved ones. So, I feel it is with that piece of tangential authority that I can answer all of Trevor's questions about the cemetery that we pass on the way to work/daycare every day. And, he asks questions almost every day that we pass by that cemetery. And, if we pass by a cemetery in another place, he points that out, too.
Here are some of his questions:
"What are headstones?"
"Who lives in the cemetery?"
"Why do they live in the cemetery?"
"Why are there buildings in the cemetery?"
"Why do people go to the cemetery?"
"Why do we never go to the cemetery?"
"Why are there roads in the cemetery?"
"Why is the cemetery open?"
"Why does Aunt Vikki take care of people in the cemetery?"
Maybe it's not odd, maybe it is. I'm not sure. But, that Trevor asks a lot of questions about cemeteries. And, now he knows a lot about cemeteries. He's a 4 year old authority on cemeteries.
We were on the phone the other day and the kids were all over me, so I said to her, "HERE, talk to Devin!" I told Devin, "Say something to your Aunt Vikki."
He grinned and said, "Hello Mickey Mouse!" I am raising a couple of Disney Freaks, it's true!
Vikki works for a funeral home now. She takes care of the dead and their loved ones. So, I feel it is with that piece of tangential authority that I can answer all of Trevor's questions about the cemetery that we pass on the way to work/daycare every day. And, he asks questions almost every day that we pass by that cemetery. And, if we pass by a cemetery in another place, he points that out, too.
Here are some of his questions:
"What are headstones?"
"Who lives in the cemetery?"
"Why do they live in the cemetery?"
"Why are there buildings in the cemetery?"
"Why do people go to the cemetery?"
"Why do we never go to the cemetery?"
"Why are there roads in the cemetery?"
"Why is the cemetery open?"
"Why does Aunt Vikki take care of people in the cemetery?"
Maybe it's not odd, maybe it is. I'm not sure. But, that Trevor asks a lot of questions about cemeteries. And, now he knows a lot about cemeteries. He's a 4 year old authority on cemeteries.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
I got a new bike
So, I got a new bike. It's my Mother's Day present. I LOVE this bike. I rode it 4 miles yesterday, and it was like a walk in the park. No complaints at all. My hiney doesn't even hurt today. It's called a comfort bike, and it's like an old 3-speed. Except it has a gel seat and 21 speeds. I like goin' bike-ridin' again! Even along the Des Plaines River as bugs land in my teeth. It was awesome. We went to Chicago on Sunday to pick out the bike. After telling the sales person what I wanted, he showed me the $1000 bike. Of course. Then I asked him to scale it back a bit. I liked the scaled back version just as much as the bells and whistles version, but it was still pricey. I asked him to take it down another notch. I got that bike. And, I love it. I can't wait to ride it again. As I struggled with my decision, Daddy said that he just wanted me to be able to keep up with him. I said that probably wouldn't happen. So, then he just wanted me to ride with him without complaining. With this bike, he had trouble keeping up with me! Quality does matter.
So, the bike was fantastic. And, I left work a little early so that I could go on this family bike ride I mentioned above. But, it almost didn't happen.
On the way home, I told Trevor we would probably go for a ride, and that he would be sitting in the buggy. He wanted to ride his Spiderman Bike. Then, he wanted to invite E from next door over to play. After much negotiations, we strapped the boys into the buggy. Then, Daddy's boss called. She talked to him for about 20 minutes while Trevor's frustration about not being able to do what he wanted when he wanted grew and grew and grew. He finally squeezed out of the harness and threw the biggest of all tantrums. Daddy was still on the phone. I was beginning to think that the universe was warning me this bike ride that I had been anticipating the entire day was doomed and a big tragedy waiting to happen.
I used my calmest voice and tried to convince Trevor that it was my way or the highway...which is to say my way was the only option. It didn't work. So, we forced him into the buggy against his will. Not easy. He's got big muscles from eating eggs and drinking regular milk! Devin had to tell Trevor to "BE NICE" because as he was sitting quietly waiting to go on our family bike ride, he got in the way of a flailing tantrum-throwing Trevor.
Regardless, we finally went on our way. Once we were rolling, the boys seemed calm for the most part. But, I was on a lovely bike all by myself, and Daddy was pulling 60+ pounds of trailer and children. He tells me they complained a lot. But, I didn't hear them crying, and Daddy didn't have to stop to make them stop hitting each other. And, it was nice. Especially for me. On my new bike that I love.
No tragedies occured, unless you count all those gnats that died in my teeth and hair and on my shirt and face. I suppose my lovely bike ride was tragic for them. I'm having trouble counting that, though.
And, in job news...my manager's manager just told me that he would like to see me continue working for the company after I move, at least in the short term. I may be a consultant. I may only have a 3 month gig. I'm hoping to be an employee with a 1 year gig, though. So, keep thinking positive thoughts for me! My manager's manager has to convince his manager, yet. But, I have high hopes he will be able to do that.
So, the bike was fantastic. And, I left work a little early so that I could go on this family bike ride I mentioned above. But, it almost didn't happen.
On the way home, I told Trevor we would probably go for a ride, and that he would be sitting in the buggy. He wanted to ride his Spiderman Bike. Then, he wanted to invite E from next door over to play. After much negotiations, we strapped the boys into the buggy. Then, Daddy's boss called. She talked to him for about 20 minutes while Trevor's frustration about not being able to do what he wanted when he wanted grew and grew and grew. He finally squeezed out of the harness and threw the biggest of all tantrums. Daddy was still on the phone. I was beginning to think that the universe was warning me this bike ride that I had been anticipating the entire day was doomed and a big tragedy waiting to happen.
I used my calmest voice and tried to convince Trevor that it was my way or the highway...which is to say my way was the only option. It didn't work. So, we forced him into the buggy against his will. Not easy. He's got big muscles from eating eggs and drinking regular milk! Devin had to tell Trevor to "BE NICE" because as he was sitting quietly waiting to go on our family bike ride, he got in the way of a flailing tantrum-throwing Trevor.
Regardless, we finally went on our way. Once we were rolling, the boys seemed calm for the most part. But, I was on a lovely bike all by myself, and Daddy was pulling 60+ pounds of trailer and children. He tells me they complained a lot. But, I didn't hear them crying, and Daddy didn't have to stop to make them stop hitting each other. And, it was nice. Especially for me. On my new bike that I love.
No tragedies occured, unless you count all those gnats that died in my teeth and hair and on my shirt and face. I suppose my lovely bike ride was tragic for them. I'm having trouble counting that, though.
And, in job news...my manager's manager just told me that he would like to see me continue working for the company after I move, at least in the short term. I may be a consultant. I may only have a 3 month gig. I'm hoping to be an employee with a 1 year gig, though. So, keep thinking positive thoughts for me! My manager's manager has to convince his manager, yet. But, I have high hopes he will be able to do that.
Monday, May 07, 2007
The things we say...
more than anything else...
Mommy and Daddy (to Devin and Trevor): "STOP PICKING YOUR NOSE! It's disgusting!"
Devin to Trevor and Mommy and Daddy: "I want my owns!" and "My turn."
Trevor to Mommy and Daddy: "Why...?" "Why should you never...?"
(this morning, he asked me how the satellite receiver for our TV works and how landing hard on his back knocks the wind out of him. That's a story for another day.)
Mommy and Daddy (to Devin and Trevor): "STOP PICKING YOUR NOSE! It's disgusting!"
Devin to Trevor and Mommy and Daddy: "I want my owns!" and "My turn."
Trevor to Mommy and Daddy: "Why...?" "Why should you never...?"
(this morning, he asked me how the satellite receiver for our TV works and how landing hard on his back knocks the wind out of him. That's a story for another day.)
Saturday, May 05, 2007
WDW Photots
Finally...TALL ENOUGH TO RIDE!!
This one has a few inches to go, though.
They look too cool in their shades, don't ya think?
Sniff, Sniff...He looks more like 5 than 4 in this picture.
Trevor is digging for dinosaurs...it's like all of his dreams are coming true!
Devin's doing exactly what his big brother is doing. It's like all of his dreams are coming true!
I just like this one.
It's fun to dress them alike, but not EXACTLY alike.
Our new favorite picture...Is it yours, too? Daddy had spent several minutes trying to get both boys to smile at once. Finally, Trevor intervened.
Devin thinks that Trevor's smile is goofy.
So, he fixed his wagon and pulled his hair. Oh, brother.
I told Trevor,"Show me your mad face."
Then, I said, "Show me your happy face!"
Porcupine Butt.
Shoulder Riding.
Sometimes, it's exhausting.
Devin is cute. So stinkin' cute. I may have mentioned this before.
Really, Really Cute.
See?
And, Trevor is just a good big brother, trying to get Devin to go down that slide.
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