They said "heaven!"

 After a whale of a day with Michael and Nicholas, we headed a half an hour away from home to the groomer's to pick up Duncan.  That's always quite the ordeal for some reason: picking up the dog.  I can never seem to make it out the door in time to pick him up, it must be my subconscious working or something.  (Just kidding, of course!)  We managed to get to Duncan with ten minutes to spare.  

On the way home, I played a Christmas CD with the song "Silent Night".  Michael was listening intently and said, "MOM!  They just said HEAVEN, MOM! Baby Jesus lives in heaven, MOM!"  I got a little teary and answered back with a," Yes, he does, Michael!"  We talked a bit more about baby Jesus and why we celebrate Christmas, which was just so incredibly sweet.  

He then thought a bit more about the conversation and in an excited voice said, "

MOM!!  What do you think they do there?!  Who's with baby Jesus, MOM?!"  

The past few weeks have been really interesting with Michael and all this Christmas business.  He is completely intrigued by God and Jesus, and not so much by Santa.  The other night while saying a goodnight prayer, we asked God to help Michael B feel better since he has been so sick.  I explained to Michael that when we are sick, God can help make us better.  He really thought about what I was saying and asked, "Will He come see me tonight, Mom?"  I told him that God is with us all the time, when we are awake AND when we are sleeping.  Totally intrigued again

, he stated, "But, I can't see Him, Mom."  

I'm bracing myself for the Christmas Eve getting dressed in fancy clothes fight that will likely ensue.  So, we are going to explain to Michael over and over in the time being that we are dressing up for Jesus and his birthday party.  If it's for Jesus, I think he'll comply.  

Check out Mr. Nick--he's quite a flirt, isn't he???  : ) He is now ELEVEN weeks!!  And, the little rascal is sleeping through the night, which translates to uninterrupted sleep from 10:45pm to 6:00 am.  He refuses to sleep in his crib, so I'm giving him just a few more weeks in the bouncy seat.  Then it's to the crib he goes!!  Nicholas also rubs his eyes when he is tired,  those chubby wrists melt my heart.  

Who needs a bumper sticker...

...When Michael B is your son?!?!

It's no secret that Josh and I are Barack Obama supporters, and we've made sure to include Michael in a number of our political conversations. He tries to participate in the conversations, but the majoritity of the time his words come out as gibberish. However, he clearly knows who we will be voting for today, and isn't afraid to shout it from the roof tops. "ROCK-A-BAMA!!!," Michael says!!! We've even been reading a book at night to Michael about the presidential election called Grace Campbell for President. And, to our dismay he listens to every word of this incredibly LONG book about the Electoral College.

Josh took Michael to vote with him this morning before he went into the office. The line was incredibly long, for our initials, while the other line was incredibly short. Imagine waiting in line with a three year old for forty-five minutes; Josh really is a great sport! Josh admitted that he was grateful that Michael did not start spouting off about Barack Obama to a bunch of strangers. Somehow, Michael was able to refrain from expressing his political views to the masses. Josh was happy to see the children's voting booth, but both he and Michael were disappointed to learn that you have to be FIVE to vote. (What a bummer.) Michael still got a sticker, though.

Michael has not missed an election day in all of his three years! Way to go, Michael B!!!

Pictures to come of Nicholas voting later on in the day. : )

A Reality Check from Grandma.

One of the very best aspects of taking a leave of absence for a year from teaching is the opportunity to spend more time with my Grandparents.  While I haven't been able to get to my Grandmother who lives a hour and a half away this summer, I have every intention of visiting her and my Aunt as much as possible this year.  Once I have healed from the surgery and once things have settled a bit with the new baby, we'll be cruising on up to see her, as well.  Currently, though, Michael and I have tried to visit my Grandparents here in town once a week.  Due to a variety of reasons, we haven't been able to lunch with my in-town Grandparents lately.  So after I picked Michael up from the sitter today, we decided to pay them a visit.  

My Grandmother bought me a brand new, comfy robe and a new pair of really cute pajamas.  When she handed over these great presents, we got on the discussion of what I should wear while in the hospital.  I mentioned that I packed some of my own pajamas to wear, even though with Michael's birth I just wore the hospital gowns my entire visit.  In her most southern voice, she emphatically motioned across her body and said, "Awww, HONEY!!!  If I were you, I would NOT wear your own pajamas!  Remember!?! You are going to be a MESS ALL OVER!!!"  

(Great.  I must have forgotten.......)

In a deflated voice, I conceded.  She's right. I am going to be a "mess all over" in a few days.  And even though I felt a little deflated, she still made me laugh.  Her gestures, her voice, and her honesty, made me chuckle.  I suppose it was time for a reality check from Grandma.

All three of us are getting very excited, to say the least!  (Though, we have yet to decide upon a name for either gender!)  This evening I talked to Michael a teensy bit about my stay in the hospital.  In his sweetest voice, he asked if I was going to come back.  While I could have cried a bucket of tears, I replied in a firm and unwavering voice.  "Of course I will come back, angel.  I will just be gone for a little bit."  

I'm hoping to make tomorrow a very special day for the little guy.  We're going to a race in the morning, that some of my girlfriends are organizing.  We'll probably go out to lunch, go to story time at the library, AND buy a present for the baby from Michael.  I can't wait to take him to pick out a stuffed animal for the baby.  I'm taking him to the boutique that "Moo" came from three years ago.  (For my sake, I hope there aren't any "duplicate" Moo's because I have a feeling that the shopping trip will result in a temper tantrum!)  

One last belly shot tomorrow!  : ) 

"Did we have a fun day, Mom?"

Josh and I came to the realization that this baby is going to be born in a different season than Michael about a week ago.  I'm not real sure how we arrived at that crazy- kind of important- epiphany, but there we were!  Last weekend I decided that our baby would likely need some sort of snugly "thing" to wear on our nature walks, or to the pumpkin patch, or the park, or even for the ride home from the hospital.  

(Were we thinking that the weather was just going to stay in the 80's for the next month?  Because that's usually not how October works around here.)

The three of us made a journey to Old Navy last weekend in search of one those "snugly outfit things", and found one that was too big (3 to 6 months).  Josh has been a little bit resistant to this purchase because he doesn't think baby boys should be wearing white, or any variation of white:  off white, beige, all those colors are for girls, he says.  Naturally, I disagree.  I love all infants in white, boy or girl.  When the baby is three months, we'll find one in pink or blue. Until then, it's white!

All of this brings us to today.  Michael and I decided to take a little trip to a mall that is about 50 minutes away, primarily because this mall has both a Gap for kids 

and an Old Navy.  We were able to find the perfect "BUNDLER" for the baby, in the correct size, and in white! Aside from that purchase, the rest of the mall trip was all about Michael B.  He played on the indoor, germ laden, playground equipment.  And, I treated him to Chick-Fil-A, which is his favorite "restaurant".  We also did a little shopping for his babies, Moo and Giraffe.  That whole escapade was a little annoying.  It turns out that Moo is GIRL and really needed some accessories from one of those "Claire's" stores.  I humored him and took him into the store so that he could "shop" for Moo. This quickly started to back fire because I was not about to buy one single princess item for his stuffed cow.  Somehow, I concocted a story

 about Josh picking up Moo's gift on the way home from work tonight.  This seemed to satisfy Michael. Though, I know he has not forgotten this lie of mine, and fully expects Josh to bring her a present this evening.  

After I tucked Michael into his bed for nap this afternoon and turned out the light, he reminded me that we did not paint today.  I told him that maybe we would get to that after his nap.  And, as I was shutting the door, he said to me, "did we have a fun day, Mom?"  I smiled, kissed him again, and replied, "we sure did, Michael." 

 I love spending the day with him, and I think he feels the same way.  

Politics and Running and Jibberish

This morning as I was watching MSNBC news, Michael caught wind of the heated discussion in regards to the debate.  And he said, "It's politics if you don't run, Mom.  So that's what it is."  He took the words right out of my mouth, you know?  : )  Josh overheard this conversation and he said that Michael is definitely his mother's son: running and politics all in one sentence.  

I'm so proud.  

Dry heaving...

The conclusion to the previous post:

Obviously, Michael needed to use the restroom at the cross country meet.  It didn't seem "appropriate" to take him to the bushes, so Josh reluctantly took him into a Johnny Blue for the first time.  I refused. (I'm pregnant and all, and subject to vomiting at the drop of a hat. How I love playing the pregnancy card!)  

As soon as Josh and Michael got into the Johnny Blue, Josh clearly and firmly told Michael to keep his hands to himself.  And, sure enough Michael reached out for the urinal. And, even rubbed his hand in it!!!  (EWWWWW!!!!) Josh wasn't fast enough to grab his hand!  (EWWWW!!!)

By the time the two of them got out of the Johnny Blue, they were both greatly stressed.  It was hysterical.  Michael was horrified by the conditions of the Johnny Blue.  (Truly, he was sickened!) As Josh and I were dousing him in purell and putting on his shoes, Michael stated that, "We need to buy them water, Mom. The potty did not have any water, Mom.  Why it not have water, Mom?"  

Towards the end of our excursion, Josh declared that he needed to use the restroom before we began the journey home.  Michael announced that he would NOT be going back in "one of those things."  He was pretty much traumatized.  Thank goodness for Josh that day because I would have marched Michael over to the woods if I were by myself in that situation!  Taking a child to a public restroom is bad enough, but a Johnny Blue is just unacceptable in my mind.

Never in my life, did I think that I would be writing about the adventures in a Johnny Blue!  I just hope this is the last time... Josh and I sure did have a good laugh about it, though.  

While we were at the meet, Michael made "hay bales" for his cow, Moo.  Thankfully, we talked him down from bringing all that grass in the car.  I really thought he was going to have a temper tantrum when we told him that the hay bale needed to stay in the field.  

How we get here, Mom?

Michael woke up bright and early this morning, ready to conquer the world. Before we even got down the steps for breakfast he was asking to pitch the tent, paint, and go to Grandma and Pap-Pap's house. I was still rubbing my eyes at this point, wishing that a cup of coffee would hit the spot or that I had just finished running with my girlfriends. (Michael is a bit easier to handle in the morning, if I have been up a good hour before he wakes. My energy level doesn't match his these days!)

After breakfast I cleaned the kitchen and started the laundry, while Michael watched Sid the Science Kid (a good show~ on PBS). (Check out the link...) And soon after the morning chores were accomplished, we scurried off to the park. I walked a lap around the trail, while Michael took it easy asking many questions in the jogging stroller. Today's questions included: What lives in the forest, Mom?, Who lives up high, Mom?, Are there monsters in the forest, Mom?, When do the animals come out, Mom? The most annoying questions to answer included: Where are we, Mom?, How we get here, Mom?, How we get to the park, Mom?, How we get to Nina and Granddad's, Mom?, Why I have fruit punch gatorade, Mom? I know I shouldn't get frustrated with the "annoying" questions, but wow! they are exhausting! Do I philosophically answer where we are or do I need to simply explain that we are at the park? Or, the "how we get here" question. Do I need to go over the road names and numbers or is he just looking for the answer..."in a car, Michael"? Sometimes, I give long answers, sometimes short answers, and sometimes I just grunt in acknowledgment of the question. And, in most situations, it all works out! : )

We decided to hit the tennis courts after the walk, to burn off some excess energy. Michael is fun to play tennis with because he LOVES to chase each and every ball! How awesome is that? I hit a couple of serves, and he charged across the court to retrieve the balls for me. Josh has been taking Michael to the courts near our house to play on Saturday mornings. Naturally, I was eager to see what Michael has learned from Josh's Saturday lesson. His hand/eye coordination is really improving and so is his confidence. Michael will enthusiastically tell you that he is a "really, really good server!" We are letting him use Josh's old racquetball racquet right now. It's pretty light and it gives him lots of room to hit the ball.

Josh is going to cringe when he sees these pictures because of the Crocs! Crocs are not allowed on the tennis court or the playground, according to Josh! : )

Michael taught his favorite cow, "Moo", how to serve today. Then she got a little tired and had to take a break!

Moo also went over to the playground with us after tennis! (He loves this cow.) She even went down the big slides with Michael. : ) The playground was wonderful today. The temperature was great, the playground was full of preschool age children, and Michael was able to run and run! Nap time came pretty easily (and, early!) this afternoon.

Why Mom?

These are some of the questions that I answered "WES-tesrday"  (Michael's term for "yesterday") posed by Michael Benton...

1.  Why we pick up Duncan, Mom? 

2.  How do we get there, Mom? 

3.  Why Duncan get his haircut, Mom?

4.  Why we pick Duncan up, Mom?

5.  What I can do, Mom?

6.  What I can have, Mom?  (referencing food here...)

7.  Why we pick up Duncan, Mom?  (1,000 more times!!)

(All of these questions were asked repeatedly in the hour that it took to drop Duncan off at the groomer's and pick Duncan up from the groomer's.  Between the baby splitting my ribs and Michael firing questions, I was ready to pull out my or call the doc to up the c-section date. Kidding, of course.)

After we finished dinner last evening, Josh mentioned something about calling the police department to have the car seat installed and inspected.  I literally jumped at the chance to take the car seat to the sheriff's office, so that I could have  a little bit of a break from the line of questions.  I felt kind of guilty for a second for wanting a peaceful drive down main street, but the feelings of guilt quickly passed.  And, so did the opportunity to cruise down Main St by myself, the officer came to our HOUSE and installed the seats! (You have to love small towns!!)

Some days Michael just wakes up and is absolutely full of energy from sun-up to sun-down, it's truly  astounding!  "WES-terday" was one of those days that he had a lot on his mind, and needed more clarification on things than usual.  He also took a really fantastic nap (over two hours!), I suspect that his brain probably needed a break from all of the neurons that were firing.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring...I have lots of plans for the two of us!  Some of the things that we have discussed include (but are not limited to): playing tennis, going to the park with my friend and her daughter, setting up his tent in the backyard, painting, baking, and going to visit with Grandma and Pap-Pap.  

Michael and I are really soaking up the days that we get spend together, just the two of us. He may ask a lot of questions, but he's certainly my little sweetheart.  And, truth be told, I love the questions.

    

I want to go to college.

One more funny Michael story for the day....

Yesterday while we were swimming in the pool, I saw a young woman who goes to VT, Jill.  It's been quite some time since we've seen one another so we chatted a little in the pool. 

Michael, of course, was curious about this girl.  So, I explained that her brother went to high school with his Uncle Clay and that they were on the same soccer team together.  I then told him that Jill goes to VT, just like Uncle Clay.  We also talked about the fact that her brother also goes to college. I explained to him that Jill's brother, Bobby, goes to Elon.   Michael then mentioned something about VT and Uncle Clay, and I replied that VT is an excellent college.  Michael then told me in a declarative voice, "I'm going to college one day, Mom.  I'm going to college, too."  

We sure do hope you do, Michael!  Wherever you want, your dad and I will be cheering you on every step of the way.  And, hopefully on to graduate school, little guy....

Open Your Heart.

During yesterday's mass, the priest mentioned the importance of opening one's heart during his homily.  Michael caught wind of this one sentence, that was repeated a couple of times by the priest.  With a confused face, he looked at me and said, "He wants to open my heart, Mom?!?"  I couldn't help but snicker at Michael, so he repeated his question.  "Why does he want to open my heart, Mom?!?!"  He seemed a little bit more stressed the second time he asked, so Michael (Granddad M.) leaned over and whispered into Michael B's ear, "He wants you to listen.  He wants you to listen."  Michael seemed satisfied with Granddad's answer and then moved on to another question.  

Every once in awhile Michael catches wind of a sentence in the priest's homily that strikes his interest.  I remember one morning Michael heard the priest say something like, "Be Quiet!"  And Michael completely understood that one sentence of the homily.  In fact, he repeated it and told me that, "HE  said to BE QUIET, MOM!!!"  

I sure do love this little guy....

Such a Cutie!

Two sweet Michael stories that I want to remember from today:

1. This morning I was cleaning up the kitchen when Michael begged me to come into his playroom to review the cars from the movie "Cars". We bought him the Cars CD, which has a giant picture of all the cars from the movie. He likes to name as many of them as he can. Actually, scratch that. He likes for JOSH and ME to name as many of the cars as we can. I got through about fifteen or twenty of them and couldn't name another one. So, Michael then said, "That's okay, Mom. I can get my glasses. That will help." He then grabbed his sun glasses from the family room to help him identify the rest of the cars from the movie.

2. And, then this evening. Michael just finished using the toilet (all by himself! ) and needed help putting his clothes back on. As I was dressing him, he looked into my eyes and started to play with my hair. He put my hair on top of my head and said, "Awww!!! Mom!!! You look just like a princess!" As soon as I got his clothes situated, I gave him a huge hug.

He's such a sweetheart, just like his dad. I'm so thankful that I get to have a whole year of these moments and I think Josh is, too!


***And, YES! Today was the start of Wimbledon! We aren't going this year, but it's a dream of ours. Josh and I made a pact to see all of the major tennis tournaments together when we reach a point that we can. Too bad I didn't watch any tennis until now (9 PM), Michael is a bit of a TV junkie. I leave the TV off as much as I can during the day. If I could just leave it on without him noticing, that would be great. He's a little bit older now, though. : ( ***