Stuff and Things

1. It is Friday afternoon, the house is quiet (Cullen is at a playdate and the littles are sleeping), I got my inbox emptied for the first time in weeks last night and I am eating a sleeve of thin mints for lunch. Life is good. 

Snapped the other day... I love observing the way my children play. 

2. For Christmas, Lauren (the best gift giver ever), sent me the book Bread and Wine. I consumed it while we were on our Fort Lauderdale trip and in the past few weeks my cooking creativity has hit a high note and I have been making new meals several times a week. Along with my new desire to cook again (it dropped by a lot after W was born.. cooking takes time and hands, and I am short on both..), I also realized how often I offer food to people and how truly happy it makes me. In the past week I have fed people other than my family Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and will again tonight and Sunday. Food is definitely my love language- it is the way I feel like I can help. I love inviting people into my home and knowing they will leave with full bellies and hopefully in better spirits. 

3. We are all in agreement that Spring is never coming, right? We were supposed to get a 'dusting' of snow on Tuesday. It looked like this:

Next week's forecast...awesome

4. Wells and I visited my Oma today while the big boys were at school. She is doing well, but still very sad and lonely even though someone is always with her, she just wishes whoever that person is, was actually my Opa. Thank you again for your continued thoughts and prayers for her. 

5. I do think we brought a little joy to her day since she held Wells the whole time we were there. How can this face not bring joy? 

6. Kristin is going to start a Stuff and Things link up next week, you should join in!

7. Kev and I finally watched the premiere of season 2 of House of Cards. Please tell me if you are watching so we can discuss. I did NOT see that one coming. 

8. Bennett's eyes are so different from Wells' and Cullen's. Aren't they pretty?

Enough random thoughts for today- Have a great weekend!

The No Nap Problem

For the past 4 years and 10 months, the time between 1-3pm has been 'my' time. The boys sleep and I clean, do laundry, wipe finger prints off walls, sweep the floors, read, blog, email...whatever. 

It is my time. 

Well, it was my time.

But then a certain little someone went cold turkey on nap and now I am at not sure how to restructure my day. 

C is awesome at staying in his room for 'quiet time' for 30 minutes or so (depending on how long I set his clock for), but it gives me the time to choose only one: take care of house or do 'me' stuff. Then by the time he is up, I feel guilty for not spending time with him, but I also don't want him sitting in front of the TV or spending too much time on the computer (he is allowed 30 minutes of pbskids.org after quiet time). 

So what to do?

We spend some time with his Kindergarten work book and practice reading, but I need some other ideas. 

Any advice from Mommas with non-napping pre-schoolers? Do you chose household chores or Momma time during quiet time? What are some other activities I can do with Cullen during our time?

(And now you know, my lack of email response and commenting is directly linked to my lack of me time.. we will figure out a balance soon!)

Wells vs The Dinner Roll

Because who doesn't love pictures of a chubby baby with fluffy hair trying to figure out how to eat a piece of bread? 

(Not, of course, to be confused with Bennett vs The Spoon)

Learning to eat is messy fun! 

In all honesty, watching my babies learn how to use their hands is one of my favorite developments. I love catching him looking at his fingers and trying to see just how they work, amazed they are attached to his body and can get things into his mouth. It is one of those skills that we can encourage but really, they figure it out all on their own- proof that that this little life truly is a miracle.

Keep working hard, Wells! 

This Weekend, We Tailgated In the Front Yard

On Friday, we laid my Opa to rest in a beautiful service. So many people came to the wake on Thursday night and the funeral on Friday, I think my Oma was very overwhelmed by the love so many had for her husband. We also took the first cousin picture in years and it makes me happy that Oma knows that she is surrounded by all of us. 

After the reception, my boys and I came home to decompress a little and then geared up for a pre-planned weekend with my sister in law and her family. Kev's brother's lacrosse team was playing in DC so  his sister Kyle and fam came in Friday and then we all went to the game on Saturday.

 Caught this tender moment between a boy and his nose.

Saturday afternoon was the first little glimpse of Spring. The weather was the perfect little hopeful day that we will be warm again and we spent the entire day outside.

 Remember how strangers used to tell me that Bennett's hair is white? Now, I get stopped all the time to be informed that Wells' eyes are blue. 

 I wasn't kidding about tailgating in the front yard. That really happened.

 And on Sunday, this exhausted (physically and mentally) family did a whole lot of nothing. I never even changed out of my sweatpants. 

Thank you again for all your prayers for my Opa and my family.

Things I Never Expected to Say/Hear Part 10

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your texts, comments, emails, calls and messages about the passing of my Opa. My family and I truly appreciate each and every one. We will bury him on Friday, so please continue to keep us in your prayers as we lay him to rest and as we go on without him here.

****

Since sometimes, the best way to combat saddess is with humor, let's get out the journal and see what's being said around the house lately.

Cullen is in green, Bennett in blue and everyone else is in black at the end. 

Cullen's Corner

I have a crusty boogie in my nose. Can you get it for me?

{While trying to teach us his school prayer} It is pre-sent. Not pre-cious. Let's try that again guys..

Did you know Mommies don't toot, but they can poop out babies?

Me: Don't knock over your brother.

Cullen: I didn't knock him. I tripped him. 

I couldn't take a nap because I sprained my ankle laying in bed.

Maybe you should get like a shocker thing by your door so I can't sneak in your bed at night.

Do you have any pickles? I was dreaming that I wanted to try one. 

Me to Kev: Can you get your ring off?

Kev: I don't know, I never take it off.

Cullen: Your fingers are fat Daddy. But I still love you...Fat Fingers. 

Who is having more fun, you or your reflection?

Look Mommy, your car is a Patriots fan! See? The mirror says NE. {We were driving North East}

Bummy's house is kind of weird. Three mans live there and no Mommies.

Bennett Bable

{From the bathroom} Get outta here Mommy, it is pretty stinky. 

I get dressed mah-self.

Me: You need to wear red for your Valentine's day party.

Bennett: No. I wear blue.

I have a mouth like a alligator.

Me: Would you want to fly to the moon.

Bennett: No way, Jose. Too far.

Kev: What do you like better, dogs or cats?

Bennett: Meerkats

Kev: Not a choice.

Look at me, I look like Uncle Bummy!

I not Ben-ben. I Ben-NET.

Hey Wallsie, where you come from?

Parent Prose

Kev: You roasted a chicken a baked bread? I thought you were having a bad day?

Me: I wanted Chinese and vodka, but I stayed strong.

Me: We've got to get them to bed so we have time for two episodes of Revenge.

Kev: I know, and we deserve it. We were really good parents today.

You can't sleep in your helmet.

Don't let your batteries fall in the toilet. 

Kev: I didn't say 'go get chocolate milk'. I said 'go tinkles'. How did you even confuse that?

Did you make lunch for your monster trucks?

With A Heavy Heart...

I share with you that my Opa died very early on Saturday morning. 

If you have been reading for a while, then you know my Oma and Opa. We visited them every time we came back home when we lived far away and now that we are back in DC went to see them often, bringing

the boys with us and enjoying their company. I just blogged a few weeks ago about how grateful I am that my boys really know their great-grandparents. And today I am so much more grateful that we have lived here the past 9 months and the boys really, really knew Opa. 

My Opa is a great man. He moved here from Germany with my Oma and my toddler sized Dad in the early 1960s. He and Oma taught themselves English, worked hard and founded their own auto repair shop in 1964. Fifty years and three generations of mechanics later, that shop thrives. It is the place I spent many days of my childhood and as an adult bring my boys to at least once a week to visit and play. And my Opa loved to hear that: that his great-grandboys love his shop as much as he does.

So many times when we visited my grandparents, they would comment on our life with 3 sons. Telling us their stories of raising 3 sons of their own, encouraging us to let them build motors and always having enough food in the fridge to feed them and the inevitable amount of hungry friends they will bring home.

Opa and Oma with their 3 great grandchildren

*****

I am sad that my cousins, brothers and I lost our grandfather. I am sad that my boys lost their great-grandfather. I am very, very sad that my father and his brothers lost their father.
But more than anything, I am devastated that my Oma lost her husband. The man she has loved for 63 years and has been married to for almost 58.

*****

 Last week, when we visited Opa in the hospital, Oma told me that she needed Opa to come home because her coffee didn't taste right without him there in the morning.
They have the kind of love we all hope for:
The kind that makes the coffee taste bad when the company isn't right.

****

I pray for my Opa, that he is at peace and that he will watch over all of us just as he did on Earth.

I pray for my family who is suffering and grieving his death.

But mostly, I pray for my Oma who lost has the love of her life.

Sept 1955

We are all going to miss you so very much.

Snow Day (And the Greatest Picture of Wells Ever)

6 inches and counting (not as much as those around us, but enough for no school for the rest of the week) and a very, very lazy day for us. Cullen is actually the only one who went out to play.

 Stuck inside with a bad cough and a case of the grumpies, Bennett snacked and played cars for most of the day.

Annnnnnd then there was Wells and his crazy fluffy hair. 

Hi Wells!

Have a great weekend! Stay Warm!

Rest In Peace

There are some posts you know how to start, and others you don't. So you write things like the previous sentence and hope the rest of the word follow correctly.

Tuesday morning I attended Caroline's funeral. As I mentioned last week, she passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind her 6 year old son, 2 year old son and 3 week old baby girl. I didn't know her personally very well, but my future sister in law is best friends with their family and I know one of the sister well (we went to high school together and she is Caitlin's best friend) and I had another one of the sisters as a student back when I was a high school teacher. I certainly remember Caroline from high school, but it was her current position in life that I identified with most.

Caroline wanted nothing more to be a wife and mother, and according to her family who spoke bravely and beautifully about her, that wife and mother of 3 young children is where she was her absolute best self.

As someone who only wanted to be a wife and mother, and feels the most comfortable in those roles more than any other, my heart breaks over and over because she didn't get to fulfill them for the lifetime she deserved to. 

I don't understand why bad things happen to good people, but I am glad that I have faith that helps me believe that they are in a better place, and can watch over their loved ones. I am glad that Caroline's husband, children and family have the solace of knowing that too.

Life is short.
Live in the moment.
Don't take anything for granted.
Count your blessings.
Have no regrets.
Be your best self, everyday.
Each day is a gift.

A thousand cliches that today mean so much more.

Rest is Peace, Caroline.
May God watch over your sweet babies and husband, family and friends and bring them comfort and strength.

*****

A fund has been set up to assist Justin and the children- you can contribute visiting this website.

When They Surprise Me

I know my children inside and out. Their little quirks and preferences and the details of their very unique personalities. But everyone once in a while, they completely surprise me. 

The last word I would use to describe Bennett is affectionate. He hates giving hugs and kisses, he refuses to tell people goodnight. He won't talk to anyone first thing in the morning. Kev is the only person who can get an "I love you" out of him. But that's okay. Aside from with Kev and the boys, I am not an overly affectionate person either, so I get it.

But because of this trait, when Bennett does do something incredibly sweet, it shocks me and warms my heart in a million ways. Such was the case yesterday. 

I asked him to walk to "Walls-ie" for a minute while I ran upstairs to get my shoes and when I came back, I found them like this

Bennett was singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and his Walls-ie was looking at him with such a happy admiration. 

There will probably come a day when Wells looks at him with the same happy admiration because Bennett can flip a dirt bike or because his fake ID totally works, so for now, I'll take this little surprise and hold on to it forever. 

Especially for when I tell Bubs that we love him and he responds "I sleeping Mommy".

 I know underneath it all he love us too.

Sometimes, It Is Nice To Do Nothing

After a tough week last week, and with Kev traveling for work this week, we wanted to take a little time out this weekend just for our little family. We had no plans, we did nothing big, we spent the majority of the time in sweats and it was just perfect. 

Saturday morning we all slept in late and then watched The Lorax in our PJS. Then took a family trip to the library and stopped by some friends' house on post to play for a bit. Then we came home for a baby nap, but a wide awake Boy Room afternoon.

 I think I have mentioned it before, but we have a 4th level unfinished basement and we have turned it into Boy World. There is padded turf on the floor, a TV, a fridge full of juice boxes (and beer) and every sport you can imagine.

 The boys love it. 

 Meanwhile, in Sleeping-Baby-Mom-World, this was me.

 I've also mentioned that Wells is the happiest baby in the world. 

Here is some proof in how he looks when I enter his room after nap. 

 Every. Time.

Meanwhile, back in Boy World...

 I know it won't be too long before Wells joins in. Just look how fascinated he is.

Please note his surroundings: basketball, lacrosse, hockey, West Point, dinosaurs.

Boy World. 

 Saturday ended with Toy Story 3 and an early bedtime for some boys. 

Then several episodes of Revenge on Netflix. 

Sunday we headed to Mass then down to the hospital where my Opa is in ICU and visited for a bit. We are praying that he feels stronger and can go home soon.

Sunday afternoon was another lazy one, the highlight being a Monster Truck Ramp I made out of card board. 

A little dinner, some baths, another early bedtime and some more Revenge and our weekend was complete.

***

I am thankful for quiet weekends, for my sweet darling boys, for my handsome husband... and for Monster Trucks, basketball, post-nap smiles and a good book.

And just for fun, here are the boys in February of 2010, 2012 and 2014. 

We (lovingly) refer to Wells as a chubby Cullen. 

AmIRight?