Feels like summer

This picture is of Ethan, almost a year ago. He looks so wee! How he loved running around the back yard in his birthday suit, getting drenched in the sprinklers (and covered in sand from his sandbox). He seems (and is) so much older now.

It was hot today - just got back from a walk in the sunshine to buy some crackers and wine. Tonight's full of baths, suppers and bedtime antics (what a zoo that witching hour(s) is). I get exhausted just thinking about it.

But the boys have been good today, which helps smooth the frantic tedium of the day. Don't get me wrong - I know I vent quite a bit here on these pages about being tired and stressed about taking care of two little ones on my own 12 hours a day, but in all honesty, there is nothing I'd rather do - nothing I find as important, as rewarding, and nothing I'm nearly as thankful for. Funny how life is like that, isnt it? 

Vintage E

A picture of Ethan, about the same age (5 months) that Judie is now. Gosh, that seems so long ago; and it seems like yesterday. 

sunny day and other disjointed and sleep-deprived ramblings

All I want to do today is lay on the grass on a big ol' towel with a peach cider, a parenting book (or escapist novel), and read until I fall asleep in the warm sun. And lie there for about 2 hours, bathed in sweet warmth. Then get up, refill my drink, and read a bit more. Wash, rinse, repeat.

We did get out for a walk today so I did catch a few rays. But the boys are either playing or napping but either way, need to be corralled at all times and that means NO NAP FOR MUMMY OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.

I'm not bitter. Just a little tired. If only I could get those boys to saw logs concurrently, I'd take the baby monitor outside with me and enjoy this glorious weather like all of you are doing right now!

Its a good day. Boys are happy, Daddy's doing well, and I bought a new shower curtain today. Nothing like a cheap bout of retail therapy to brighten spirits (and make big bathroom impact!).

boing.

Today a family member (on my husband's side) mentioned that he had discovered this little blog. That's fine - its hardly a secretive, private, soul-divulging thing. But he said "why haven't you thought of writing professionally?". What a funny statement. One: I have, all my life, thought of it, but have done next to nothing about it. And Two: how can the little three-liner comments about pictures of my kiddos make for good enough copy to make me a good writer?

I appreciate the compliment - I certainly don't "write" here like I did a few years ago when Ethan was Jude's age and I had a bit more time and hands-free to write about my experience of newmotherhood. Now I feel like I'm just posting and photo-naming once or twice a week for the benefit of grandparents and keeping in touch.

I do have international readership, which is pretty cool (hello Japan, USA, UK, Germany, and New Zealand!). Who knows why people read? I certainly don't write or post pictures for anyone but myself to look back on as a kind of record of my children's growth, but for my parents and brother to glimpse at what is going on (and growing on) with Ethan and Judie.

Point of my post? I guess I had none. Time for me to finish this upteenth glass of wine (not that many, dad, as this post isn't riddled with typos!) and to have a shower, then bed. Thrillsville!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Soft innocent...

 

Spring walks softly on...

Well here we are thrust into spring, and its barely warm outside. Therefore, our playdate today took place at the mall, which isn't so bad as it allows me to spend $50 at the bookstore (no they werent ALL for me!) and walk and talk with my friend Lisa, but it doesnt make for much "play" for Ethan and his friend Jayden. Oh well. It was raining today. And we needed to get out of the house. Ethan's so eager to "go outside?" and play and run around - he just has so much energy! I, however, do not. And I have a babe in arms which prevents me from adequately chasing after him and watching over him as he runs around fearlessly. Its a lot easier when daddy's home, that's for sure.

In the mail today came a book galley from the publisher for me to read and review on this site. Can't wait to dive in - I've already heard that Why Moms Are Wierd is a great read.

Other good news, I'm about to have a lie down with Judie for a nap while Ethan snoozes into his second hour of his afternoon siesta. How we'll fill the late afternoon I'm not sure, but it will likely involve train movies, toy motorcycles and endless readings of Goodnight Moon.  

You know, if my oldest son doesnt wake from his nap soon, we wont have time for a walk to the wine store this afternoon before it gets too chilly! This is enough to seriously stress me out. Luckily there is an abundance of easter chocolate around. Small mercies.

Judie enjoying cuddles with Great Grandma ("Gree Gree").

And to conclude the easter festivities, Judie gets his second haircut. Handsome little man! Happy Easter everyone!

Dougie and the kids. Chocolate highs haven't even peaked yet!

Not one, but TWO big easter baskets were left for Ethan from the Easter bunny!

How did the easter bunny know Ethan loves frypans? Wow! Mummy must have left a note!

ohhhh - forbidden candies!

Investigating easter booty with Dougie! Guess who is the biggest kid?

Hunting for easter eggs with Grandma!

Happy Easter everyone! Here's a picture of Ethan giving the ol' bouncy car a little shine up for Jude's inaugural drive. Helpful big brother! :) *love*

And as promised to the rellies: Ethan in his "oh boy bed". Ta da!

So, apparently, baby's bedtime is not dictated by when I'd like to put my feet up, drink a glass of wine and have a (already late) dinner. Typically I'd be rocking/nursing Judie to sleep from 6 or 6:30 onwards, taking 1 to 2 hours to get him to finally fall alseep and stay that way. He is a baby. He needs more sleep than his brother. He's not supposed to be awake after 2 hours of wakefullness. But tonight, after 3 unsuccessful beddings of young Jude, I sat up with him a while (and ate pizza over his tummy, messily too, but I was starving and ohmygod it was so delish and the wine is pretty nummers too of course) and when he was finally acting fatigued I took him back to his room, rocked him 10 minutes, and he was out. Huh. Who knew?

This perfect child has recently been following in his older brother's footsteps (when Ethan was his age) and becoming increasingly hard to get to sleep at night. Naptimes are relatively easier - don't ask me why (albeit naps are much too short); but it typically takes me an hour or two to get this little cherub sound asleep in his crib. I had to resort to controlled CIO with Ethan (as witnessed in my archives) which was pretty tough on both of us, but worked like a charm and to this day, bedtime is a nonissue. I'm afraid I may have to bite the bullet and do the same with Judie within a month or so. We'll see. Anyway, today was a pretty okay day - the sun shined, and we all ate strawberries. My fridge is full of ice cold chardonnay (though supply is diminishing steadily). Soon I'll be in bed cradling my book. Ah, sweet simple pleasures in life.

From dad's birthday party: Judie, Auntie Gerri (dad's "younger" sister!) and dad. Notice handsome hubby in the background! rarr!

Yesterday we held a 65th birthday party for our dear old dad. I think it was a hit - we all had fun and it was a nice simple way to do something nice for someone who does so much for all of us - especially a super Papa who gives so much time, attention and love to my two littlest. For that we're eternally grateful. We love you dad/papa! Happy happy birthday. xoxo

My step MIL got Judie a Bumbo chair this weekend! Yup - he likes it. Sitting up like the big kids! :)