Stay at home kind of day

Matthew went into work later this morning so I could run to the doctor's office real quick. It was nice having him here for the morning madness. I can't believe that Carter likes to sleep in until 9:00 am - 9:30 am these days. I've jinxed myself for sure now, oh well. Harrison actually slept until 8:00. That doesn't include the fact that Carter woke up at 12:30 with a horrible stinky diaper that required a complete wardrobe change and Harrison woke up at 3:30 because he needed his underwear changed from a minor accident. I'm trying to remember what it was like before kids because the idea of a whole nights sleep is sounding really nice right about now. Even though the boys both had a late night accident, they both went back to bed pretty quickly which helps a lot. Other than our late night adventures, our day was pretty lax. Matthew went to work around 10:00, so it was only a couple of hours only with the boys before the lunchtime madness. Carter was STARVING and the chicken was still cooking so I gave him the cut up fruit and green beans (his sides) while I was waiting on he chicken. I was amazed at the fact that he just looked at the food that I had offered him and he started to cry. He knew there was no chicken there and he was very upset. Once the chicken was ready and all cut up he was fine with eating everything. But for some reason he's preferring to eat a little of his main course or meat before digging into the fruit and veggies. And here I thought Carter wasn't going to be a picky eater. I actually think the boys are pretty good eaters. I'm trying to win Harrison over to peanut butter. I've been putting a little on his plate when I give him apples at lunch time. He picks little pieces off and says "mmmmmm!" Other than that he pretty much just wants his drink and what ever meat or main entrée that is being offered. I'm still trying to win Carter over to milk in his cup. He's just not a fan. It looks like I'm going to have to only give him milk, no juice, for awhile so he has to drink it. After a decent nap, the boys and I built the train again. Harrison's favorite thing to do now is to build a train and when you walk out of the room he rips the whole thing apart. He then proceeds to find you and say "oh no!" and take you to his room and show you what happened. Usually, at this time, Carter is chewing on some of the railroad tracks and looks to be the culprit but I know better. I've secretly watched him dismantle the entire thing. I know this is only the beginning of the blaming game but I find it funny that he's starting to imply it. It was a good day and now the weekend is FINALLY here. Maybe the boys will get some kiddie pool time in if he weather permits it.

Busy but still laid back day

Harrison woke up at the crack of dawn. I am seriously starting to question what drives this child to wake up at these awful hours of the day. He's not even a morning person. He's a crab to be around for the first few hours that he's awake (just like me... ). And then there's Carter, who wakes up at 9 or 9:30 and is so happy. I have NO clue where he gets that. Well, if I got to sleep from 8:00 p.m. until 9:00 the next morning, I may be a happier person too. After the rush of breakfast and getting everyone cleaned up and a trip to the potty for Harrison, I decided today was as good as a day as ever to do some of the errands I've been procrastinating with. I buckle the boys in the car and we are off to the pay the water bill followed by a brief trip to the post office down town. I seriously spend more time getting the boys out of the car, Carter into the umbrella stroller and up the ramp then I actually spend at the post office. Harrison was highly mad that we were leaving the post office. He's never even been there, that I can recall, and he did not want to leave. I had Carter in the umbrella stroller and about to put him in his car seat. I parked on the side street, Thank God, because Harrison decided to run away from me and run back up the ramp. My heart panicked. What do you do? Leave the baby in the umbrella stroller, half unstrapped at this point and run after the two year old who is dangerously close to down town traffic? Luckily Harrison's bravery was short lived. He hurried back to my side after realizing that this was uncharted territory. I promised him a trip to the library so we went there next. I had to park on the main street at the library. Not my first preference but parking was slim picking. We've only been to the library on Tuesday mornings for story time. It was now after 11:00 and I soon realized what kind of people hang around the library. Homeless people or other people that give me the creeps. It was unbelievably hot inside. There was no way the AC was running because it was pretty stuffy. Maybe they do it on purpose to move people along. I don't know but it wasn't very welcoming. We went to the children's section and I sat Carter down on the cushions that could somewhat contain him and Harrison and I scanned the books for something to read. Harrison's interest in books are completely squashed when we're in a public place. Especially a place that is full of strange people and new things to explore. I still tried to read a few books to the boys but there was no hope for the attention to stay on me at all. At one point, Harrison grabbed his crotch area and said "pee pee" so we hurried to the bathroom all the way across the building. When we get there I realize that they are pretty gross but I can't deny Harrison the option to go, the house is too far away. And then there's the Carter factor. What do I do with him while I get Harrison's pants off and set him on the potty. So, the only option I had was to set my purse on the floor and set him on my purse. NO! Not the nice purse! I agree but this was my only option. Of course my memory is scanning all the faces I just saw and realizing that all those people come and use these facilities and from the looks of the place, the facilities haven't been cleaned in some time. Well, after all this, Harrison decided he didn't have to go after all. So we pack ourselves up and I take the reluctant Harrison to the car. He actually obliges to get in the car by himself when I tell him we're going to get something to eat. (bribery is always a back up). We finally get home and I fix the boys lunch. Takes me forever to cut up the fresh fruit that I am adamant about giving them for it to only be shoved to the side for ketchup and chicken. Oh well, just keep putting it in front of their faces and pray that they will try it and love it. Carter loves most fruit, especially bananas these days but I'm thinking he won't get any anytime soon since it causes the usual problems.... Now they are quietly playing in their own rooms while there's another afternoon thunderstorm. I think my grass will never be cut if my yard never gets the chance to dry out. Tomorrow is another day.

Finger painting fun in the heat of July

It was nearly an impossible task. Wrestling a squirmy ten month old (almost...) and trying to help Harrison finger paint was pure craziness. Which, he's ok with paint being on his finger but he nearly had a panic attack with the paint got on his palm. The look on his face was "not cool Mom, not cool". He did find it silly that he could just wipe the paint off on the "table cloth". Hopefully I'm not hurting myself in the future. I'm going to go ahead and presume that all future painting projects will continue to be outside, just in case Harrison decides the paint wiping rule should be tested else where. Carter's participation was minimal but that's ok. I got a couple of good hand ones. It's extremely hard to get a full hand print because he kept bunching up his fingers. I can still make out tiny fingers in the paintings though, that's all that matters. Harrison moved on to painting with a brush. Painting with a brush is definitely his preferred choice. I find him to be the weirdest kid when it comes to him not wanting to get messy or touch cold or wet things. Nonetheless, I say the whole project was a success.

Wow, where have you been?

I stumbled across this site and it made me a little sad. Because I loved looking back at the posts and remembering all the little things. I guess it's time to get back to it.

The boys are still napping. It's almost 3:00 p.m. and that's rare. My ears are listening for Harrison's foot steps on the hardwood floor at any moment now. I'm contemplating going out to the garage and setting up a finger painting project. I have to figure out if the temperature of the garage will permit it though. I guess I should get off the computer then.....