Highlights From the Week

Oh my, what a week we've had, a little of this, a little of that and full of a lot of firsts and lots of fun

Wes had his first dentist appointment. I've been pumping him up for this for months now. He wasn't so sure at first, but once he found out he got to wear "really cool" sunglasses and pick his own toothpaste flavor and get a new toothbrush AND pick out a toy (fake eyeball) from the treasure chest when he was done, it turned out to be the best day EVER. He was so cute you guys, you should have seen him. He did everything she asked, turned the right way, opened wide, spit into the little sink thingy and even remembered to say thank you when she was done. I'm not gonna lie, I got a little choked up in there watching him. My pathetic mommy heart was bursting with pride. It was kind of ridiculous. I can't even imagine what will happen to me when this kid gets his first A paper, or graduates or gets married. Is there such a thing as an actual bursting heart? Death by pride? That will so be me...

and speaking of proud, my not so little baby boy rolled over for the first time! If you thought I got worked up over a teeth cleaning, you should have seen me when this happened. There may or may not have been some jumping up and down, clapping and a five minute long Oren chant from Wes and I.

Then, lucky me, my birthday came a little early this week when my birthday/good thing there was an extra paycheck in July present came a few days earlier than expected.

Don't you just love her? Oh, how new furniture excites me in such a dorky interior designer kind of way.

Also, we stained our deck?! Ok, so that's not "exciting" per say, but it took all day and I'm really really happy that it's over with.



Then we took the boys to an annual summer picnic given by one of Josh's clients which is pretty much decked out to be kid heaven. Pool, playground equipment, clown making balloon animals, magic show (which Wes participated in - adorable), temporary tattoo stand, and a candy table. We're talking FULL SIZED candy bars here. Go ahead, just take what you want...craziness. The only way we even got Wes to agree to leave was by telling him he couldn't eat his candy until we got to the car.

After some convincing, Wes ended up with a dinosaur on the forearm. He had been trying to get the guy to tattoo a snake on his face. He's so hardcore.

Then there was a little late night spatula fencing with grandpa Sunday night. (Thank you Abby for the cell phone pic)

What else, what else? oh yeah, that's right. WE SAW THE WIENERMOBILE! Complete with free mini wiener whistles. Doesn't get much better than that, now does it?



Reflections

My sister in law, Jessica, sent me this picture the other day. It's a picture she took of Wes from his first Christmas that she just happened to stumble across. It's been less than three years since this was taken but, somehow, it doesn't even seem like the same person. I have a hard time even remembering him this size. I can barely fathom that there was a time when he couldn't talk and didn't have this big personality we've all grown to know and love. Then I look at Oren and I can't picture him any bigger and can't fathom the thought that in two or three years I might not be able to remember exactly how he looks and smells and sounds right now either. What happens when they're 5, 10, 20 years old? How much will I have forgotten by then?

Everyday, I try to pause for a moment and just take them in. Really look at their faces and try to appreciate them for what they are right this very second, because tomorrow they will be different. I am learning the value in taking a break from the errands and chores and the daily business of living to stop and appreciate that these are some of the greatest days of my life. Days of little sleep and lots of hard work, but never the less, days I know I will long for when they're older. Days when I am still the center of their universe, where I'm the first thing they see when they wake up and the last they see when I tuck them into bed. I will only occupy this much of their world for so long, and every day that they grow older, they will need me a little less. And oh, what a gut wrenching thought that is...but a proud one too. Because this is really what it's all about - this most important job called parenthood. Raising these two boys up. Raising them up to be independent and capable and most importantly, good people. And as we work toward that goal, heartbreaking as it is, everytime they accomplish something new, I'm reminded of what I'm really here for and proud to know I'm doing my job well.

Our Weekend in Columbus

We spent this last weekend in our fine state capitol visiting our friends Adam, Colin and Elizabeth. We packed about as much into one Saturday and a half of a Sunday as we could. And thanks to our gracious hosts we had a ton of fun despite the hot, humid and sticky weather. We tried out some great local eateries (because, let's be honest here, that's what travelling is really all about, even if you are in the same state where you live) Tasi, The Old Mohwak, Katalina's Cafe Corner and of course Jeni's Ice Cream (Do me a solid and try out the sweet corn and black raspberry. You'll thank me later). We checked out the zoo, goodale park and even managed to squeeze in the time to do a little exploring in the short north and german village. We just left and I already can't wait to do it again. Thank you, Columbus, for a fabulous time!

Maybe it's the Long Hair?

I don't know what it is lately, but these are three conversations

 that have occurred just in the last few weeks alone:

Waitress at dinner handing me a wine menu (then abruptly taking it back):

"Um, are you even 21?"

Midwife at follow up appointment:

"You look like a senior in high school, not a mother of two..."

and my personal favorite

20 something guy knocking on doors selling newspaper subscriptions:

 "Are your parents home?"

really? I'm going to be 28 next month. I guess I will just take all this as a compliment?!

(also, I promise I don't wear this shirt everyday, it's just a coincidence that I have been wearing it in

pretty much every picture taken of me lately... Oh, you hadn't noticed? Glad I brought it up then.)

Motherboy.

Three Months Old

Dear Oren,

You are three months old today. Three months is said to be the magical age where newborns finally begin to adjust to life on the outside (the 4th trimester if you will) and the age I have been longing for since your nightly fits of colic first began. But you know what?... despite all the crying and fussiness, it still came too fast. As happy as I am that you are finally settling into your new life out here in the big bright world, I wish I could keep you my little baby forever. I love that when I pick you up after a long nap you still tuck your legs up to your chest and curl into a sleepy little ball. I love the smell of your skin and your sweet milky breath hot on my neck while you sleep, deep and sweaty on my skin. I love how soft your hair still is and how the bottom of your feet are still smooth and untouched. I love all the new things you're doing, like starting to roll over (you're this close!) and reaching out and trying to hold things. But every time you do something new my heart breaks a little too. You are changing too fast, growing like a weed and before I even know it you will be running around just like your brother, busy and curious and ready to take on the world.

***

At night I put you to bed in your bassinet right beside me. But most nights, after you wake for your first feeding I can't resist the urge to rest your head on my pillow and lay there with you, nose to nose. Your little hands exploring my face, listening to your soft coos and the happy noises you make as I whisper to you in the dark. And after awhile you finally begin to tire, your little legs stop kicking and your eyelids start to close. I curl my body up around your tiny one and hold on to you for dear life. I watch you dream and smile in your sleep and I soak in every minute I have with you small and sweet and all mine.

***

These last three months have been heaven sent. No matter how much crying you have done or how much rocking, bouncing or walking laps around the house I have done, I wouldn't take back a second of it. Every day I wake up with you there beside me feels like Christmas morning. Sometimes I think I must be the luckiest girl in the world and even winning the lottery wouldn't make me feel the way I felt the day I got you. Three months are already gone and my stomach twists a little and the lump in my throat grows bigger just thinking about how fleeting time is. I just want you to know how much I treasure you and I look forward to all the life we still have ahead of us to share.

I love you with all my heart,

Mommy



Meet Me at the Ritz

To celebrate Patty's birthday we got the girls together and spent the afternoon having tea at the Ritz. This is the third time we've been and it just keeps getting better and better. I can't think of a lovelier way to spend a Sunday. The music was delightful, the scones were to die for, and the company was even better.