Odds and Ends

Everyday at school, Beau's class goes over flash cards for that week's curriculum. When I picked him up Thursday evening his teacher greeted me with a funny story.   She said that every time she held up one particular card Beau yelled out, "Mommy!!"  The picture on the card?  A clown!  Does this mean I wear too much rouge?  (Does anyone under 50 still use the term rouge?)  And it's worse.  There is another card that when he sees it he yells out, "Charlie!!"  Yea, that one is an orangutan. 

Beau can now WALK up and down the stairs completely unassisted!  Notice I said "walk" not "crawl."  He just holds on to the banister and takes off.  Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot.  I might have not known this for quite some time if I had not caught him last Sunday afternoon...halfway up the staircase!

Charlie's atttempts at crawling are progressing.  On Thursday he would lift up his rearend and tuck his knees under him.  However, he would face plant which basically caused him to spin around 360 degrees, his forehead the centre of this little circle.  By Saturday he was lifting up up his chest and pushing off.  Of course now he is going backwards, but it's a step in the right direction - not forward direction...but right direction. 

Finally, I know I've been talking a big game about potty training, but I'm thinking maybe I should first concentrate on manners.  These are from a recent lasagna dinner.  

And Baby Makes...Five?

Don't freak out get excited. The Brian clan is not adding another kiddo to our brood. No, our dear friends, Chasity and Kirk are expecting...expecting triplets...expecting triplet girls, that is! We could not be more anxious happier for them.

Last weekend I had the honor of helping host a shower for the mommy-to-be. Everything turned out lovely and Chasity and Kirk received so many wonderful items...in triplicate, of course.

I thought I'd share a few shots from the shower, because afterall I spent two naptimes editing these photos and I wanted SOMEONE besides the guest of honor to see them.

Ridiculously adorable cupcakes made by one of the hostesses...
ok, made by her husband!

I finally realized I am the only person who actually eats these things. 
I had at least six. 

Party favors - mini hand santizers...how appropriate?! 
I thought of this one. 

A "Wishing Tree" to share words of advice and encouragement with the mommy-to-be.  Can't take credit for this one...it was all Emma!



Seriously, how cute is this wreath?  Sarah W. why have you not thought of this before?  Slacker. 

The bottom half of three complimentary outfits from the future grandmother.  So. Stinkin. Cute.

The Mommy-to-be and the beaming future grandmothers.  Beautiful! 

I must admit, I had to fight back pangs of jealously as Chasity unwrapped each frilly, lacey, pink item.  Oh to have a little girl.  But, then I came back home...to my boys.  Beau yelled, "Mommy!" as he ran up and gave me a hug and kiss.  I forgot about all that girly stuff just like that. 

Mommy's Project 52:7 Selfless

 Shortly before Charlie's arrival, Beau began demonstrating all the characteristics of the "Terrible Twos."  All.of.them.  I guess he didn't want us to feel left out if he, say, decided not to let out a blood-curdling scream enthuastic yell when he wanted something; throw himself on the ground pounding his fists in rage; use the word, "no" more frequently than "eat" - truly unheard of at the time. 

So I began to get a little anxious about how Beau who had been not only an only child, but an only grandchild at that point would handle the new addition.  I prepped him as best I could. I told him how much fun it was to be the big brother.  We sang songs to the new baby, in utero, of course.  He kissed my belly good-night.  We got him a new "Big Brother" t-shirt.  We did all we knew how. 

When Charlie arrived to say we were pleasantly surprised was an understatement.  Beau loved him...immediately, unconditionally, selflessly.  From the moment Charlie arrived all he wanted to do was hug him, kiss him, love him. 

He began offering Charlie bites or "tastes" of his food.  And if you know Beau (or his daddy, for that matter), sharing of his food is right at the top of selfless acts.  Despite the fact this has kept me on my toes (I mean, how many times have I narrowly avoided Beau feeding Charlie a Cheerio or a raisin!) it warms my heart each time because I know how much it means to Beau. 

Then there were the toys.  At first Beau was not so sure that having Charlie play in his old toys was such a good thing.  But then he realized that he needed to "teach" Charlie how to properly play with them.  Toy Story took a back seat if Charlie needed Beau's help to reach something, push a button, or pull a string. 

Next up Beau started to vocalize how much he loved Charlie. When Beau first came to visit us at the hospital we said, "Meet Charlie."  His reply, "Charlie."  Keep in mind this is five months ago - months before he would even say my name...but that's a whole different post.  Also, it was Charlie who was the subject of his first multi-word sentence - "Mommy, check on Charlie!" 

But my favorite way in which Beau shows his selfless love of his baby brother is how he loves to hug and kiss him.  He tells him, "Love you, Charlie" and lays a big wet one on him. 

We knew becoming parents that there is a level of selflessness that just transpires.  You don't think, you just do.  But we never knew that another child, a small, young boy, would be able to remind us how to truly love selflessly.  Thanks, Beau for being such a wonderful big brother. 

Five Months!

Look who just turned five months!  Yep, Charlie is another month older, and oh so much wiser. *wink, wink, nod, nod*

So much has happened in the last month.  Here's a brief summary of events. 

Charlie is now sitting up unassisted for longer and longer periods of time. You'll note that there are no pictures of this - that's because those periods of time are not long enough for Mommy to run and grab her camera.  Oh well. Chalk that one up in the "Mommy Fail" column.

Charlie also began eating solid foods.  More on that to come.  But for now, I'll just tell you that some of his culinary proclivities are nothing like his brother's. Also, he is, hand's down, the MESSIEST eater.  Ever.  Ever.  Ever. 

He also has become a very profecient roller-over-er.  Yes, I'm pretty sure you won't find that word in Webster's.  Anyway, he is rolling from back to front and front to back and back again.  It's sweet.  Well, it's sweet except at 2:00 a.m. when he rolls from back to front and wedges his arm beneath the crib bumper and through the railing and in his twilight state cannot figure out how to get back to a more suitable position.  Oh, but don't worry...he lets me know...by screaming.  Have I mentioned how happy I am that he can roll over both ways?  Sheesh.

And, as of this week, he is trying to crawl in earnest.  Oh my goodness, it scares me to think that I may soon have TWO mobile boys.  But really, last night I put him on his belly and he immediately pushed his butt up in the air and pulled his knees in.  Beau was right there cheering him on.  Go ahead, say it, "Awwwwww." 

In other news, Charlie still thinks that it is necessary to wake once a night to nurse.  I have not informed him of this yet but he is in for a rude awakening when "Cry it out - Round Two" begins shortly. 

By the Numbers - While Daddy is Away

Last Saturday Billy went away for an overnight dove hunt.  That meant that I had the boys all to myself.  Oh my...so much can happen in twenty-four hours.  Here are some of the highlights. 

3 - Explosive poopie diapers I had to change before 10am on Saturday.

1 - Failed trips to the Farmer's Market.

Watching a football game, no really. 

30+ - Times Beau yelled, "Help me!" while he fought his afternoon nap. 

0 - Naps the boys took Saturday afternoon. 

2 - Sets of bedsheets I had to wash because of "accidents."

What's that, Beau?  Oh, you don't want to wear a diaper. Oh, but you don't want to pee pee on the potty either.  Great. 

1 - Beers I drank while Billy was away. 

10 - Beers I wanted to drink while Billy was away. 

2 - Marshmallows I gave Beau Sunday morning.  (Hey, he had already eaten his "real" breakfast.)

0 - Guilt I felt about those marshmallows.

"Uh, yea, Billy, feel free to come home anytime now..."

1 - Pints of homemade black bean salsa Beau and I ate, with a spoon, while sitting on the sofa, watching Toy Story. 

1- Times we watched Toy Story.

50+ - Times Beau asked to watch Toy Story. 

How can you get mad at me with THIS face, Mommy?

20+ - Times Beau asked for Daddy.  Or, more specifically, "Where'd he go?" 

0 - Times Beau successfully pooped on his potty. 

1 - Times Beau straddled his potty like a horse and yelled, "Yee Haw!" 

Oh Billy, we're so glad you're home...until this weekend!  Ahhhh!  

Mommy's Project 52:6 Crazy

This week's Mommy Project is my first video montage.  It was easier than I thought and took far less time.  In other words, get ready for more!!

Maybe you're wondering why I chose this song...but listen to the chorus.  I swear it could have been written by a sleep deprived mommy with a colicky baby! 

Say what?!

"Oh, thank goodness, you're sick too.  I thought I might be pregnant again." 

Never thought I'd be happy for a bout of the stomach bug at the Brian residence.  (Hey, don't judge.)

And speaking of...Do you know what's more challenging than trying to get a family of four ready and out the door for work/daycare/grandparents' house?  Trying to get a family of four ready and out the house for work/daycare/grandparents' house when both parents are making mad dashes for the bathroom, the baby thinks his projectile vomiting is amusing, and the toddler doesn't really care and simply can't understand why you just don't drop everything to give him another crayon so that he can finish coloring his masterpiece.* 

Thank God, this was just a twenty-four hour bug. 

*  By the way, anyone notice that the only person in the Brian family not to succumb to this nasty bug was the only one that is exposed on a daily basis to a plethora of germs at daycare?  I guess what everyone said was right - that kid now has an immunity of titanium.

A Little Off the Top, Please

Add kiddie hairstlyist to my list of hats I wear.  Beau's hair just gets so long and unruly so quickly that I couldn't see spending $20.00 every three or four weeks getting it trimmed.  Besides, I'm smart...I'm capable...I can certainly cut my kid's hair. 

The mop top.



When people started tucking his hair behind his ears, I knew it was a sign...



If you know anything about me you know I am incapable of beginning a new project without doing an exhaustive amount of research.  So to the internet I went googling, "How to cut your toddler's hair..."  The results were less than stellar.  Most articles just included tips on how to distract your child.  Sorry guys, I've got that one down pat...two words - Toy Story.  I found very little on the actual method to cut.  So besides this article, which was scarily accurate, my search was unproductive. 

Never one to shy away from a challenge, I tried anyway. 



A little more polished



Two days, yes TWO DAYS, and about 1 1/2 inches later, I had success.  Sure, I miss his curls, but guess what...they grow back.  I probably won't go so short next go round, but there definitely will be a next go round. 

If This Doesn't Make You Smile...

Say what?!

"Beau, please don't sit on your brother's face." 

"Beau, Charlie doesn't eat graham crackers.  Please don't try to feed him any." 

"Beau, please don't give Charlie that plastic bag to play with." 

"Beau, stop putting stickers on Charlie."

"Beau, seriously, don't sit on his head."

"Beau, don't color on Charlie." 

"Beau, take your finger out of Charlie's mouth."

"Beau, Charlie can't breathe if you hug him that tightly."

"Beau, fine.  At least sit gently on Charlie's head." 

It was THAT kind of day at the Brian residence.  Go away Lee so that we can go outside and release some of this energy! 

Mommy's Project 52:5 Loving

It would be so easy to write a post about how much Beau and Charlie are loving each other. 

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibt C

Go ahead and say it - "Awwwwww."

But this is less obvious - when I was pregnant with Beau I thought about all the ways I would soon be loving my little boy - rocking him, holding him, feeding him, kissing him. I knew it would be time consuming...I didn't know it would all-consuming.  But now, two years and two boys later, I like to think about all the other ways I've been loving them...ways no one warned me about. 

*  On average I get up from the table during dinner five times to refill a drink/clean a spill/fetch more tatoes (aka, tomatoes)/wipe dirty sticky hands.  Good thing I don't mind lukewarm food. 

* I have had the following hygenic epiphanies in the last two years:

"Oh, the salon closed six months ago."  "No, I didn't realize that." "Yes, I suppose it has been that long since my last haircut."

"When did I paint my toenails that color?"

"Crap.  Did I put on deoderant this morning?  Yea, I did.  Wait, did I?  Yes, yes...I did, I did.  I think.  Crap."* 

*  I have yet to drink a cup of coffee on Sunday morning without having the last ten sips be ice cold. 

*  I can recite, verbatim, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 3. 

*  I have spent countless nights curled up in a rocker recliner sleeping with a baby/toddler in my arms.

*  I have pumped at my office, in a parking lot and on the Causeway, among other odd locations, to make sure my boys have milk when I return to work. 

*  Our weekend plans usually revolve around "nap time." 

Yet, despite all these ways I'm "loving" my boys, I wouldn't have it any other way.  How do you show you are loving?

*  I now keep a stick of deoderant in my purse, diaper bag, car, and office desk drawer because a fear of this one happening again.

Odds and Ends

Our Little Parrot...

I asked him to smile...this is what he gave me.
Notice the coozie on his sippy cup.  He wanted to be like mom and dad with our drinks. 

Beau's vocabulary has recently grown by leaps and bounds.  He adds approximately five new words a day.  Some of his more notable new words he has added to his vernacular - circle, yellow, stuck, want, itch.  It's amazing how often a toddler can properly use the words, "stuck," "want," and "itch." 

Feats of Strength...

The bouncy chair is officially retired (except under interludes of intense parental supervision.)  On Sunday Charlie was reclining in the chair, but he wanted to see what Beau, standing behind him, was doing.  He simply rolled over in the chair and pushed up.  Sheesh.  And that would be really impressive if I didn't catch him doing something else on Friday.  See on Friday he apparently did not have a good view of the action from his reclining position.  So, he grabbed the side of the bouncy chair and sat up.  Yes, he used his upper body strength along with his freakish core strength to sit upright in the bouncy chair...where he remained for nearly FIVE MINUTES. 

Setting Records...

Everyone knows that Beau can really put away some food.  But each day he surprises us.  Here is what he threw down on Thursday for dinner: 

TEN fish sticks

TWELVE cherry tomatoes

One cup of grapes

Two cranberry orange mini muffins



No Paw Paw...Not Nice

Poor Paw Paw...he doesn't have to do anything to be told, "NO!"  Heck, he doesn't even have to be present...

Say what?!

"All signs of colic have passed.  Happy baby.  Happy mommy."

Dr. Richard finishing up her dictation at Charlie's four month well check. 

Mommy's Challenge 52:4 Dirty

 When I started preparing for this week's post that old quote kept ringing in my ears, "A little boy is a noise with dirt on it."  How very accurate.  I've now accepted the fact that for the foreseeable future my bathtub will have a slight dirt ring around it. 

While I'm not too keen on all the dirtiness, I love how much fun he has while getting dirty.  Good thing I'm not much of a neat freak!

Say what?!

"You know, I think we could definitely have another kid." 

Billy, proving my theory that there is such a thing as "daddy amnesia."