Boogerfest 2010

There were many conversations that I didn't anticipate having when I became a mother. You don't realize until you are having them that of coarse you would be having them. Who else will teach your son to cover his mouth when he coughs? Or how to wipe after going potty? Or how to pick his nose in a socially acceptable manner?

Aid loves to pick his nose. Loves it. All day long. I would casually say, "Aid, yuck." But honestly thought it was mostly just a little kid thing and he would grow out of it. Until he started eating the boogers. And then I had to step in. You don't always recover from mistakes like that. If Aid picks his nose (and then eats it) in front of the wrong kid....well, we all know how mean kids can be.

I was relieved after discussing this issue with fellow moms, that Aid was not the only nose picker or booger eater in the group. But with preschool on the horizon, some social etiquette lessons are required. So while we have been in full operation potty training mode, we have also been in full operation 'Don't eat your boogers' mode!!

I haven't really been getting anywhere. We talked about germs. How gross it is. How he could get teased. All of it. In one nostril, and out the other.

But tonight, while reading a book, Aid asked for a tissue. He tried to blow his nose. Then he looked up at me with his big brown eyes that have always melted me, and asked me to teach him how to get the boogers out. So I showed him how to put the tissue on his finger, dig around, and try to get them out. And finally he got the booger that had been driving him bananas! And we did a celebratory booger cheer! I mean, we all know how gratifying it can be when you do get the booger. But the thing that really got me, was watching how proud of himself he was. For simply learning how to pick his nose the right way. I really hope we can finally ditch the eating of the boogers.

It's the little things.

Singing Competition

Tonight following dinner, Bob put on a CD and was singing along. Aid now starts "singing" when Bob does. I use the term loosely, and I suspect it is more to aggravate Bob.

Tonight, the song of choice was " You are so strange!" Bellowed at the top of his little lungs.

Hilarious.

Siblings

When I was a little girl, I saw my baby sister fall into a pool. I immediately ran and told my parents and they got her out. She was fine. I was a hero that day I'm sure. My parents told me this story. It did not ever mean what it does to me now as a parent. The thought of either of my boys falling into a pool and not knowing it sends shivers down my spine. All of the what if's race through my brain. I am the big sister. For as long as I can remember I have believed it my job to look out for my younger siblings. This has not always been accepted, and to this day my baby sister rebels against me attempting to help her. But I will never stop. She's my baby sister.

The other day I was cleaning the kitchen and talking on the phone. Aiden came racing into the kitchen frantically yelling, "Mom! My little brother is stuck! Help him!" I raced back out after him and saw Grant stuck under the tv cabinet. He was not in any dire situation. But the story of my sister in the pool flashed through my head. And I was immediately relieved and heartened that Grant has Aid as a big brother. He has a brother that loves him, that will look out for him, take care of him, and run and get me when he needs my help.

I hope they always are there for one another...

The First Year in Pictures

What a year it's been!

Happy First, G-Dog

I sit here and am at a loss for words. Which is odd, because normally I can't shut up.
But it is hard to articulate what Grant has brought to this family.

I felt like I had everything when we had Aid. I had no idea that you could love someone else as much as I loved him. When we were pregnant with Grant, I was scared. Scared to death. How was it going to be possible to love another person as much as I loved Aid? Was there really that much room in my heart? Did I have any more to give? I worried the entire pregnancy. I worried about juggling needs, time, affection. I felt guilty for wanting a girl. I worried about everything.

And then Grant came into this world. And boy did he have to work for it. He was upside down and stuck. They practically suctioned off his little head trying to get him out, not realizing he wasn't in the right position. Then the doctor noticed a little indent on his chest. Doctors and nurses swooped in and my world stopped. I couldn't breath watching them fuss over him, not knowing if something was wrong. In that moment I realized that there was more then enough room to love this little person just as fiercely as I loved his brother.

Grant is my force of nature. He is headstrong. Vocal. Communicative. Strong. Determined. And so cute he just melts your heart when he gives you his little crooked grin. We all adore him.

There was really nothing to worry about little man.

Happy Birthday.

Expressions of Love

Aid was my cuddler. As long as you were holding him, he was perfectly content and happy. To this day, snuggled up on your lap or in between us is exactly where he wants to be.

Grant is not a cuddler. He shows his affection in a different, interesting way.

He headbutts you. You will be giving him a bottle, reading him a story, or just playing with him. And suddenly he will look at you, smile, grab your face in his little chubby hands....and headbutts you. Not too hard. Just a little one. Then he'll hug you.

I have interesting (but wonderful) children. You gotta love their unique quirky selves!

Escape

It's been a hard week.

So this afternoon I decided that me and Aid just needed to escape. We went to see the Chipmunk movie. He sat there wide eyed taking it all in, and I got to sit back and relax with my first baby. It is so much fun to wisk him away back to the days where it was just Aid and mommy. Don't get me wrong. We adore Grant, and he needs (and gets) mommy one on one time too. But sharing mommy is something he has always had to do. For 3 years it was just me and Aid, and this has been an adjustment. He is a more well rounded kid with a little brother. But I realized today that he needs the escape from his reality too.

And what better way to escape reality then watching chipmunks sing songs while eating insanely expensive popcorn?

Here's to escaping Aid. I'll always tag along if you need me.