Sucker

Little Charmer

This kid. After years of poking fun at Mark for being such a softie on Lainey and virtually incapable of disciplining her, I have to sheepishly admit that I am just as bad (possibly worse) with Nick. He has me wrapped around every single one of his 10 little fingers and isn't letting go any time soon. I don't know if it's because he's a boy or if it's because he's my youngest or if it's because he went through that long, torturous period when he wanted nothing to do with me, but I am a true blue, 100% SUCKER for him!

All is takes is his little voice saying, "Mama" or his tilted head, all-teeth-showing smile or his fish-face pucker to lay a kiss on me and he can have whatever he wants. Even when he's being a little devil, I seem to have unending tolerance. And even though I know he's old enough to be held accountable for bad behavior, I just can't seem to take a strong stand with him--something that is not going unnoticed by Lainey (because I do not have the same patience with her). I'd be willing to bet that if she knew what her middle finger could mean, she'd be flinging it my way frequently these days. I know it's not fair that he gets away with everything, including torturing his sister, but, but, but...this face...

His pouty face is irresistible to me!

<Sigh> Sometimes the heart is stronger than the mind. And my heart belongs to this little guy right now. So, buddy, enjoy the ride. Mama's not getting tough any day soon.

Another Level!

The basement renovation, which took MUCH longer than it should have, is at long last finished! Last Friday, we finally had the carpet laid and the final piece is selecting the granite for the cabinet top. But, we now have three habitable levels in the house and the basement is fully operational for play, play, play!!! 

The kids went crazy last weekend with excitement. Lainey immediately started carrying all the toys from the dining room downstairs--we barely had to do anything. They LOVE their hand-me-down tent from their cousins, Jacob and Ben, and, so far, are happy to play down there by themselves for decent periods of time. Mark and I actually sat in the kitchen quietly drinking coffee and reading the news last Saturday. I think that's the first time in over four years!

For now, we're not planning to put any furniture down there. Eventually our living room couch will make its way downstairs, but we don't have the time or energy to focus on searching for new furniture at the moment. So, until we do, this space is for the kids to be free to run, throw, and be all-around crazy. 

Now we just need to figure out what to do about the empty dining room...

Immediately after the carpet was installed

About 15 minutes after the kids got home...Lainey works fast!

I don't care about piles of toys anymore...this room is all theirs!

Where did January go?

Well, here we are...five weeks into the new year already. And a jam-packed five weeks it has been! We've done a lot of fun stuff...Shedd, Disney on Ice, family and friend gatherings...it's been pretty non-stop. Lainey is already asking what we're going to to do this weekend, to which I reply, "SLEEP!"

Add work and house management stresses to the mix, and you'll find one exhausted lady. Motivation to do anything but the essentials for survival has been very, very low, so the blog has taken a back burner.

This is me most nights...and by "night" I mean 7:30pm

But, there are a few highlights from January to put down in the books...

 1. We moved Lainey to a booster seat in the car. She loves it and it gives us so much more flexibility for getting around, because we now have a car seat in both vehicles. We can actually schedule separate activities for the kids!!! Last weekend it was gymnastics for Lainey, haircut for Nick. Amazing! Sometimes it's the small wins...

2. We had a conference with Lainey's preschool teacher a few weeks ago. She is really excelling and, per the teacher, is ready to go to Kindergarten  now. I say, "Not so fast lady..."

3. After a promising start, Nick has stalled out on potty training. LOTS of resistance to the potty right now. At this point, we're going to wait until after Disney to do a big push again. It will just be easier, if we don't have to worry about getting him to a bathroom. But, we are soooo ready to ditch the pull-ups. 

4. Nick is finally pedaling his tricycle!  I was starting to think he'd never do it. Go Nick!

5. Nick is like a real kid now. I can see all his baby-ness quickly dissolving away, and I am clinging to it with all my might! He dresses himself now (most of the time) and can have real conversations. But, I still totally baby him--shamefully so. I carry him much more than a nearly three-year-old should be carried, and he gets away with so much more bad behavior than Lainey did/does. One of the perks of being the youngest, I guess. (And I should know).  

6. The biggest (and aruably best) news is the basement is ALMOST finished. Carpet gets installed tomorrow, and we should be ordering the granite top for the cabinets early next week. Toys will go downstairs and we get a dining room back. A big, empty dining room...

So, that's some quick hits on what's been up in our world. Hoping for a calmer February, as we gear up for the madness of Disney World!!! 30 more days!!!

Close, Buddy

I came into the kitchen yesterday and caught Nick trying a new technique for eating his vegetables...