Make a Wish, Pumpkin!

I'm sure that every mommy asks,
"How is my little baby so grown up?"
And I am no different.

I can't believe
What a little man you've become
A preschooler
Bringing home oodles of artwork
(Most of it in your favorite green)
Writing your own name for months now
Even with smiley faces in the letters.

You amaze me
With your story-memorizing brain
And dramatic monologues
About the differences between two games
Yet you still ask,
"Is this lunch or dinner?"

You are so affectionate
My "Huggy Buggy,
Huggy Shmuggy,
Lovey Dovey"
And you still love to play with my hair
Just like when you were a baby.

Your excitement
Cannot be contained
And you often wake up
Belting out "God Bless America"
Or making up your own intricate stories
While letting Mommy and Daddy sleep
Just a little longer.

I know these days of
Hugging with abandon,
Acting out your own plays,
Being the only one in the family
Who eats peas,
And choosing to sit on my lap
Will begin to fade

But as always
My love for you
Never ever will.
I will love you
Forever, my four-year-old!

Pumpkin Loves the Single Ladies...

Note: Before viewing videos on my blog, you will want to pause the music. Scroll down to the Playlist on the left hand sidebar and click the pause button. :)

So, most people who listen to Top 40 radio know the ubiquitous Beyonce' song, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." The song's video was apparently so great that it even caused Kanye' West to become the most-hated musical artist of the year in a matter of seconds. But that's another story.

Many people also have seen this fun spoof of Beyonce's video with Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg from Saturday Night Live. And while I am on the topic, I wish every SNL episode would include JT. Just sayin'.

Now, this video of a talented little tyke named Ava is making the rounds. I have no idea how she dances like she does, but oh...my...word. It is so stinkin' cute, I became instantly addicted to it.

And the addiction to that video just might explain the video of Pumpkin below. Yes, he thought Ava was funny, too. And, yes, I admittedly ran around the house singing and humming the song over and over. But who knew he would be such a natural?!?

So now, I am addicted to watching Pumpkin's video. I hope when he sees this as a teenager, he knows this was an act of love and isn't mortified beyond belief. That could warrant all of us to chant: "Uh-uh-oh...oh-oh-oh..."

Things I should have been blogging when I wasn't blogging (Part I)

So, during my blogging hiatus, lots of "blogworthy" events happened. Many of those things, I should have blogged about. But as you know, I didn't. So here are some of the highlights, and yes, some of them happened a good three months ago. So sue me.

Peanut attended and graduated from Safety Town

(and loved every minute of it!)

Pumpkin learned the great art of spraying others with a hose.

Peanut discovered -- gasp!-- vinyl records!

I definitely did not swipe a parked car. At church.

And Pumpkin definitely did not say the next time I parked without

hitting a car, "Great job, Mommy! You didn't hit anyfing!"

Peanut got a new bike and hasn't broken any bones yet!

Pumpkin responded so well to his potty chart...

...he jumped up and down when he completed it and decided

that he would be a proud wearer

of underwear from then on. Woo-hoo!

Eric and I managed to get a few days alone in the mountains to

celebrate our 12th anniversary. Don't we look relaxed?

Did I mention our resort had a spa? Ahhhhh....

So those are the highlights for now. And to those of you out there who are actually still reading my blog even though I have probably frustrated you with my lack of recent posts: I thank you. More posts to follow! (I promise!)

It's the most...difficult time...of the year....

Remember this commercial from Staples?!? "They're going BACK!" Well, even before motherhood, I despised this commercial. Besides the fact that they began playing it in July (July!), it was a reminder for me that my summer off was coming to a close.

Thankfully, I haven't seen that commercial this back-to-school season. Yet I still have that darn song in my head, even though I replace the lyrics from "the most wonderful time of the year" to "the most difficult." I keep thinking that each year will get better. Because -- let's face it -- leaving a six-month-old for the first time and going back to work as I did with both boys is just plain heart-wrenching, no matter how much you enjoy your job.

So, why I am still so emotional?!?

I'll tell you why.

Because this little pumpkin is somehow, someway, starting preschool tomorrow.

And don't get me started about this little peanut, who now has an actual number as a grade, (even if it is only the number one).

Hold on. I have to go grab a tissue.

*Sigh.*

I remember thinking when Peanut had such horrible colic that those hard months would never end. Or when Pumpkin vomited after every nursing and had to have surgery at eight weeks that I may not live through the anxiety. I certainly won't forget the emotions those days created, but how can the days go by both so slowly yet so very quickly?!? I have a feeling that all you mommies out there know exactly what I mean.

In honor of the day that is tomorrow, I am copying this post from last summer. Because it really says all I am feeling (as long as you replace "kindergarten" with "first grade" and add in that Pumpkin is starting preschool). And if you say a little prayer for me that I won't bawl like the babies mine once were tomorrow, I promise to do the same for all of you.

***********************************************************************

Original Post:

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Singin' the Back-to-School Blues

I should be used to this feeling because it has come over me every year for the past five years. But it doesn't make it any easier. The tears just keep coming. You see, I am technically two different types of mommy. In the summer, I get to experience stay-at-home mommyhood. But then, just as soon as I am really getting used to my new schedule and having my little men all to myself, -- wham! -- it's time to go back to work again.

Don't get me wrong; I love my job most days. I am aware that I am quite fortunate to be able to even have a job that offers two months off (no, we do not have three months off as urban legend would suggest!). But I miss those little boys. Desperately.

Somehow, the day before I return to work, all of the whines, temper tantrums, and messiness in the world mean nothing, and I only want to spend a few more precious days with my children...just us, playing together and relaxing on our lazy summer days, doing what we want, when we want. I realize I am not actually leaving my children; after all, I will pick them up every afternoon as per our usual school schedule. But it won't be the same. I will be preoccupied with all of the work I still have to do well beyond my "workday," Peanut will be starting kindergarten (!) and he will have his own brand new preoccupations, and Pumpkin will be read to and put down for naps by his babysitter and not his mommy.

Once I get back into the swing of things, I'll be okay. But I am never good at change, and these little boys of mine just change so darn fast. So excuse me while I relish the memories of these happy summer days that are gone way too soon with tissues in hand. I have to morph into Working Mommy tomorrow, and tissues will be a required part of the uniform for the first few days.

The Top 10 Reasons I Haven't Been Blogging

10. I have been too worried about the drama that is Jon and Kate Plus Eight (or my renamed title, Jon Makes Me Vomit).

9. All my friends' blogs have been chock full of so much excitement that I have been enjoying reading blog posts more than writing them.

8. It's too hot. (What? Too lame an excuse?!?)

7. If I write that summer is almost over, it will be true.

6. We have been too busy celebrating that Pumpkin has finished potty training. (Woo-hoo!)

5. Full-time mommying is more tiring than full-time teaching.

4. I have been desperately searching for my favorite discontinued hair product.

3. Blogging doesn't burn enough calories.

2. I have been too busy rejecting Facebook requests from students.

And the REAL reason I haven't been blogging lately is...

1. I have too much competition to get on the computer from my three-year-old. (Seriously, Folks, who taught this child to scroll, left click, and use all the arrow buttons? Do babies these days just come with those genes?!?)

Four Stars for the Fourth

Before my husband I had the boys, we used to go to the same festival each year and discuss our wishes and dreams on a blanket under the stars and fireworks. Inevitably, our conversations eventually led to having children. We usually ended up giggling and hugging when we thought of starting a family. But I remember both of us saying that it would probably be a long time 'til we were able to experience fireworks with little children. We had a feeling our kids might be the type who detest loud booms. And we were right. For the most part.

But we know now that our kids do love....

...dancing to their Pop Pop's band...


...playing fun games with fun prizes...


...making themselves comfortable when the mood hits...




...eating yummy treats at dusk (even if some is left on their faces)...

...celebrating our great country...

...and snuggling with their parents while anticipating their first real fireworks!

Besides the insane traffic leaving the event, we had an unbelievably successful day. In fact, Eric and I marveled at how well it went. When we were leaving, Peanut even said, "Mommy and Daddy, thank you for taking us here." Surprisingly, Pumpkin only shuddered a bit at the first few loud booms, but he was so impressed with the sight of the fireworks that he "ooohed and aahed" with the best of them. And -- unlike many days of late -- no one shed a tear. Unless, of course, you count the happy ones from me.

Flashback Friday: Left Foot, Right Foot...

...Feet, Feet, Feet!

Oh, how many

Feet you meet!

These are Pumpkin's piggies when he was about four months old. I had recently purchased a new digital camera and wanted to try out the zoom. I haven't used the zoom very much since!

One of Pumpkin's current favorite books is Dr. Seuss's The Foot Book, so I thought this was appropriate (in case you were wondering, he always laughs at "sick feet" and "fuzzy fur feet"). Now I am gonna go put my tired, achy, seriously-needin'-a-pedicure feet up on the couch and grade some more papers.

Flashback Friday: Pumpkin and Great Nana

This was Pumpkin and my maternal grandmother, Nana, at her 93rd birthday party when Pumpkin was only four months old. Sadly, she passed away the following year, right before Mother's Day. She will always be the quintessential grandmother to me; the smell of her home always made me smile, and I have sweet memories of playing restaurant in her basement, spending nights at Nana's by myself, and eating Pepperidge Farm Ginger Man cookies with her at the kitchen table that overlooked her bird bath and the beautiful garden on her hill. She was the most gentle and most God-loving woman I have ever had the honor to know. I hope some day that I will have the privilege of being the kind of grandmother she was to me. I still miss you, Nana.

Birthday Party Highlights

Please sing this in your head as you read: It's the most...hor-ri-ble time...of the year....

I have two words for you: research papers. Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!! Run away while you can before I try to accost you with my red pen!

I really do enjoy my job, but I wish my job did not include grading over one hundred eleventh grade research papers. It takes forever. I have often thought of the old teacher joke of throwing them down the stairs; the ones that fall to the bottom get Fs and the ones that land on the highest steps are awarded As. Unfortunately, I have a conscience. Drat!

Anyway, here are some pictures from the boys' birthday party last month. They had a wonderful day with very generous friends and family.

Mommy and Peanut on our actual birthday

At the party play place:

Even Eric and I had a great time because we didn't have to clean anything up afterwards. (And I even ignored the pizza and cake who were trying to call my name as well. Yay, me!)

Three Is a Magic Number

Dear Pumpkin,

You are my snuggle bug
Love to hug

Car lovin'
Sometimes roughin'

Sing song man
Fan of fans

Alphabet reading
Lollipop pleading

Hands flailin'
Veggie Talin'

Don't like waiting
Story creating

Fresh milk addicted
Bath night conflicted

Occasional toy flingin'
Lemon car singin'

Happy when wakes
Lover of cakes

Shaky shaking
Funny face making

Tiggle Wiggles
Give great giggles

I'll soon be missin'
Sloppy wet kissin'

From my baby sweet pea
Because Pumpkin is three!

Flashback Friday: Prior to Pumpkin

It has been exactly three years since this picture was taken. We took Peanut to get his three-year-old portraits taken, and we decided last minute to try this shot with my extremely pregnant belly. (You can tell that's my pregnant belly, right?!? I added some shading as to not shock anyone.) I was actually so pregnant that I had Pumpkin the following day. The women at the photo studio probably thought I was nuts, but I knew I'd better get the portraits done of Peanut then or they might never get done with a newborn in the house. I have such mixed feelings looking at this now; I am nostalgic, I am emotional, and I am wistful. But mostly, I am blessed.

Speaking of running to Mommy...

This is one of my favorite...photos...ever. 'Nuff said.

(Thanks again, Kelly!)

Flashback Friday: Great Strides

This picture was taken of Pumpkin when he was about fourteen months old. He was still not walking yet, and even as a second-time mom, I was a bit concerned since he wasn't really even close. Peanut walked at fourteen months, and I thought that was late compared to other children I knew. We used to joke that Pumpkin was so smart to just allow people to carry him everywhere. Our pediatrician reassured me that he was perfectly normal and he would walk when he was ready. His verbal skills came fast, and the doctor also mentioned that sometimes babies work on one skill at a time. Pumpkin finally walked towards me while we were at a family get-together at my in-law's house (a.k.a. Gemma and Pop's). I was so relieved! But, in a way, I knew that the second he began walking, the world would change as I so vividly remembered that it had with Peanut. And I also knew he wouldn't be a baby much longer. Part of me was thankful that I had the opportunity to have my little one as a baby for so long, even though the other part of me naturally wanted him to continue to thrive and grow. There's something sadly symbolic about a baby who can walk -- and soon after, run -- away from his mommy. I have to admit, though, that I was very grateful to no longer have to fight with him about crawling outside when we walked down the block on the old sidewalks in our neighborhood. Scratched-up knees did not deter my determined little man. And once he walked, he went from walking to running in no time and earned more scratched-up knees.

As I write this, my almost three-year-old Pumpkin is sleeping away. But all night, he complained of "ickies" and "grossies" in his throat. He has had a rough week of a phlegmy cough, runny nose, tears when Daddy said goodbye in the morning, and more time-outs than he can probably count. And tonight, he threw up all over the hardwood floor. Now, throw up is usually my husband's area of expertise, but unfortunately, he wasn't home yet. I am really, really bad at throw up. But Pumpkin was so scared and confused that he got sick, I turned on my auto pilot while continually assuring him it was okay, and I simply cleaned it up and got him changed. Anything -- even cleaning up throw up -- for my little Pumpkin. (But don't tell my husband I said that.)

I'm hoping that in a few days, he will make great strides in the "ickies" department and that he'll show off his running skills again in no time (as long as he is running to Mommy, that is!).

Now in Technicolor

Whoa...I really thought I had given away the answer to the newborn Peanut and Pumpkin pictures when I mentioned in this post how laughable Pumpkin's hospital pictures were. But I still fooled some of you! Thanks to everyone who participated. :)

And now for the illustrious winners....

(Drum roll please....)

Congratulations to Kelly and Laura! Seriously, that is impressive, girls. Even though Kelly was there the day he had his picture taken, she never got to laugh at the picture itself. And if I recall, she either wasn't in the hospital room with me at the time or was preoccupied with her own adorable baby. And Laura has never met Pumpkin, so major kudos for having such a great eye and paying attention!

If I would have posted the photos in color, maybe I would have had more winners.

Peanut (left) and Pumpkin (right)

They both had light blonde hair around their faces, but Peanut's was much lighter than Pumpkin's. I thought you would be able to tell by the sharper picture quality and more vibrant color of Pumpkin's pic if I posted them both in color. Peanut's little suit was actually a light baby blue with light blue and green striped cuffs and an embroidered train with button wheels on the jacket, but you can barely make out any of that detail. And thanks for the kind comments, but I was hysterically giggling when I first laid eyes on Pumpkin's picture. He was really not in the mood to have his picture taken, so the photographer gave him a pacifier and then pulled it out the split second before she captured his pursed little lips.

By the way, at the time, I thought these little boys looked nothing alike. I always reminisce that after having Peanut, that's what I thought Eric and I made. But then, Pumpkin came out with brown hair and a round little body, and I thought he was so very different. Looking at the photos now, I can't get over how many similarities there are. Those noses and lips look like I could cut and paste them from one baby to the other. And they both have such nice tans. Of course, that was due to the jaundice and surely not my skin tone (nor my husband's!).

I remember people telling me how much I resembled my brother as a child, too, but I think we looked less so as we grew older. So I am curious; did your babies (or you?) look like their (or your) siblings? And were you ever surprised at "what you made"? Do tell!

Flashback Friday: Peanut or Pumpkin?

I gave you a few hints in my previous post, but I thought it would be fun for this installment of Flashback Friday to have a game. All you have to do is guess correctly which newborn picture is Peanut and which is Pumpkin. To make it a bit more difficult, I have made converted both photos to black and white so the color quality doesn't give anything away. I would think if you have been paying attention, this might be pretty easy.

Just tell me the number of the picture and your guess. And no fair if you already know (ahem...Gemma! Unless you forget, of course!). You will -- as per usual -- receive a link to your blog and many oohs and aahs if you are correct! :)

Picture #1

Picture #2

Can't wait to see how well you know my Baby Peanut and Pumpkin!

Time March[es] On

It cannot be March already. Really?!? I really find it hard to believe in so many ways. Today we had a snow day with 9.7 inches of snow according to our local news station. It seems to me that we were just outside enjoying the fall weather and the leaves.

See?

Now, before you tell me that my photography skills have improved 100-fold since my last post, I have to confess that the following beautiful images were taken by my dear friend, Kelly. I was blessed to have roomed with Kelly in the hospital when I had Pumpkin and she had her sweet little boy, Jake. In fact, Kelly is also the one who introduced me to blogging. I followed her blog for over a year before even considering to start my own. I have to laugh looking back now because I clearly remember wondering why she didn't opt for the standard baby hospital photographer to take her newborn's picture. Someday I will have to post the newborn hospital photo I spent my hard-earned money on of Pumpkin. I felt it was an obligation to buy them; after all, I had done them for Peanut, and his were actually kind of sweet. Had I known I was rooming with this amazing photographer, I would have asked her to at least whip out her cell phone. The result would have been eons better than Pumpkin's hospital pic, I assure you.

Anyway, I have been meaning to post a few of the gorgeous photographs that Kelly took of our family around Thanksgiving. So, how did it get to be March?!? We were fortunate to be able to schedule a session in late fall with Kelly even though she and her family now lives out of state. And now that she has taken these great photos, we are all spoiled!

The boys warmed up to Kelly in no time and asked about her for many days afterwards. And I am certain we will treasure these images and her friendship for many, many years to come. After all, the fact that Kelly was the one who took these portraits just makes them that much more special to me.

You can see a few other images of my little men on her photography blog, and you have to check out her official photography site as well. It is no wonder to me that she recently won an award for her wedding photography. I have already asked her to book us for July 2022 to photograph our 25th wedding vow-renewal ceremony. I was worried she wouldn't have the date open if I waited much longer. She is just that talented!

So, while I stare at these photographs of these little boys I love so much in the leaves, it is so terribly obvious that time does, in fact, march on. Pun [always] intended. ;)

Flashback Friday: Pumpkin Phone Home

Like Mommy, like Pumpkin. At least on this video that was taped when my little man was just a year and a half last December. I dare someone to try to translate. :)

Flashback Friday: Christmas 2006

We parents all know the drill. Sometime in November, we find the perfect matching or coordinating outfits (or -- depending on your level of perfectionism -- the perfect outfit that is currently not in the dirty laundry) for our little ones, and then we proceed to act like complete idiots. And by we, I of course mean the fathers of the family. At least that's the drill in this family; I am the picture-taker and my husband is the smile-maker. However, I had only had to acquire "the perfect holiday picture" with one toddler before the one below. I realized I would have my work cut out for me with a three and a half-year-old and an eight month-old, but I had no idea. Most of the pics of Pumpkin had his ubiquitous drool dripping down his chin. And Peanut had no problem showing his boredom at the entire process after just a few shots. After this attempt, we did seek professional [photography] help. But I'm sure my husband would have agreed to professional help of the other persuasion if he heard me utter, "Just one more shot, Honey" while he continued his best monkey impression for shot #82.

Below is the cream of the crop from 2006. And frankly, after looking through all of the "rejects," I had no idea how increasingly difficult it would become to get good shots when they became their current ages of two and a half and five and a half. Even the ones we vetoed back in the below shoot look fairly decent next to the ridiculous faces Peanut has now decided are more fun, and the drool of Pumpkin's yesteryear has now been replaced by a constant runny nose (which is even less forgivable when captured on film). But thank heaven for matching sweaters and hats. Those outfits really do make all of the frustration of getting a semi-respectable picture worth the hassle.



Did you get a Christmas picture of your family or children this year? I'd love to hear about it. And by the way, those of you with more than two children who send a Christmas photo where all children are looking in the same direction immediately get my vote for sainthood.

Flashback Friday: Thanksgiving

I decided to start a new feature on my blog that I will deem "Flashback Friday." I am a sentimental soul at heart who loves to reminisce by looking at old pictures, so I decided it might be fun to include some of those past memories here. I can't guarantee I will add a new post each and every Friday, but I can tell you that if the responses are positive, I will most certainly try. So with that, I bring to you my very first entry in this new category.

Peanut the Pilgrim, age 3, with preschool turkey art

Pumpkin the Turkey, age 8 months

Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!