Tracy's grandma just died. She had a stroke. It was sudden. It was unexpected. Tracy is heart broken.
Bereavement
How stern are the woes of the desolate mourner
As he bends in still grief o'er the hallowed bier,
As enanguished he turns from the laugh of the scorner,
And drops to perfection's remembrance a tear;
When floods of despair down his pale cheeks are streaming,
When no blissful hope on his bosom is beaming,
Or, if lulled for a while, soon he starts from his dreaming,
And finds torn the soft ties to affection so dear.
Ah, when shall day dawn on the night of the grave,
Or summer succeed to the winter of death?
Rest awhile, hapless victim! and Heaven will save
The spirit that hath faded away with the breath.
Eternity points, in its amaranth bower
Where no clouds of fate o'er the sweet prospect lour,
Unspeakable pleasure, of goodness the dower,
When woe fades away like the mist of the heath.
- Percy Shelly
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Owie Story (and now Rhys too)
One of Rhys' favorite books is about a little pig named Owyn and his Mama. Owyn is going to school and his Mama won't be there with him. But she loves him when they are together and she loves him when they are apart. "That means you love me all day long". I love you all day long is the name of the book.
Owyn has a "toy" frog in the book. He takes it with him everywhere. Toy is quoted because it is unclear the toy's actual status. The artwork clearly shows the frog eating, emoting and moving. It is equally clearly a toy frog.
Rhys is convinced that the book is about his brother and his Mama. He was fine with this for a long time. Recently, however, it began to bother him that there was no Rhys in the book. He decided that the frog is Rhys. So now the book is about Owie and Mama and Rhys.
Owyn has a "toy" frog in the book. He takes it with him everywhere. Toy is quoted because it is unclear the toy's actual status. The artwork clearly shows the frog eating, emoting and moving. It is equally clearly a toy frog.
Rhys is convinced that the book is about his brother and his Mama. He was fine with this for a long time. Recently, however, it began to bother him that there was no Rhys in the book. He decided that the frog is Rhys. So now the book is about Owie and Mama and Rhys.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Space Man Rhys
Rhys became a space man today. Rhys is doing a block on transportation at school this month. They have a giant wall mural. Each week they do a different type of transportation on it. They started with water, then land, then air. This week is space.
When we got in to pre-school to pick up the kids, the first one out was wearing her space suit and a giant grin. Immediately, out came the phones so each parent could get a shot of their kid. Unfortunately, most of them took off their space suits before they came to the door. Rhys kept his on long enough for me to see it, but then took it off.
I got the shots of him once we got home.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Counting
We count the boys when they are bad. 1-2-3 time out. It has been working really well, since we both got on the same sheet of music. From time to time one or the other of us will slip but we have each other to keep us on the straight and narrow.
Today Tracy and Rhys were in the car. Rhys was misbehaving, so Mama counted him "That's one". "That's two, that's three, ... That's ten". He got them all right. He wasn't even being smart about it.
It helps to have a sense of humor when you are trying to raise kids.
Today Tracy and Rhys were in the car. Rhys was misbehaving, so Mama counted him "That's one". "That's two, that's three, ... That's ten". He got them all right. He wasn't even being smart about it.
It helps to have a sense of humor when you are trying to raise kids.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Super O
The boys both got picked up early today. They were both ready for a snack when they got home. Cheese, crackers, juice, milk and cheerios. Owyn had his blanket over his shoulders. With a little bit of help from Mama he became.....
SUPER O
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Hair Cut
Owyn got a hair cut today. He does not like to get hair cuts. The good news is that he does not need them all that often. He has thin hair and it can stack up pretty deep before he looks like he needs it cut. It also doesn't grow all that fast. He cried during the whole ordeal.
Rhys loves to get his hair cut. He is an odd child. He asks us to take him to get it cut. He is a hair farm, like his Daddy. He can use a hair cut every two weeks, though three to four is more normal. He just sits in the chair and cooperates.
Mama likes short hair on her men. She would like me to mine cut every week. The boys every two to three. With the boys, at least, she gets what she wants.
Rhys loves to get his hair cut. He is an odd child. He asks us to take him to get it cut. He is a hair farm, like his Daddy. He can use a hair cut every two weeks, though three to four is more normal. He just sits in the chair and cooperates.
Mama likes short hair on her men. She would like me to mine cut every week. The boys every two to three. With the boys, at least, she gets what she wants.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Planting time
We took the second step on our garden this year. A couple weeks ago I went out and turned over all of the dirt, except for the herb garden.
Yesterday I picked up a kit with 72 peat moss disks in it. They are about a quarter inch tall and an inch and a half across. You add water and they puff up to be about two inches tall. You poke a hole in the top, drop in seeds and cover them back up. It has a clear plastic lid to make it into a small green house.
We planted about half of the disks. We'll keep the rest for next year. Lots of herbs along with a few vegies. We are very excited to get the garden planted. Only another couple of weeks before we can plant.
The chives are already almost a foot tall. They came through the snow like champs.
Yesterday I picked up a kit with 72 peat moss disks in it. They are about a quarter inch tall and an inch and a half across. You add water and they puff up to be about two inches tall. You poke a hole in the top, drop in seeds and cover them back up. It has a clear plastic lid to make it into a small green house.
We planted about half of the disks. We'll keep the rest for next year. Lots of herbs along with a few vegies. We are very excited to get the garden planted. Only another couple of weeks before we can plant.
The chives are already almost a foot tall. They came through the snow like champs.
The waiter
Tonight, after Owyn had gone to bed, Rhys decided that he was hungry again. He went and grabbed some left over french fries and a box of crackers. He found himself a paper plate and put fries and crackers on it.
Then he decided that maybe I was hungry, so he made me a plate too. He brought me my snack first. I was working out so I asked him to give it to his Mama. After he had seen her eat some he went and got his plate and sat down to eat his snack while he watched his shows.
When the crackers were gone I went and got him some more and cut up some cheese for him. He stuffed quite a bit down.
Then he decided that maybe I was hungry, so he made me a plate too. He brought me my snack first. I was working out so I asked him to give it to his Mama. After he had seen her eat some he went and got his plate and sat down to eat his snack while he watched his shows.
When the crackers were gone I went and got him some more and cut up some cheese for him. He stuffed quite a bit down.
Snow
Three days ago we had two feet of snow. Today it is in the seventies and the snow is gone. The grass is green. The trees are budding. The flowers are blooming. You have to love Colorado.
The boys were very excited to play outside when we got home. Day care always has them outside if the weather is not horrible but they have not spent a whole lot of time out in the yard this winter. They went wild. Especially fun was throwing the pea gravel.
We ate dinner out on the patio. It was shaded but still warm enough. Grilled steaks, caprisi salad and a green salad. Yummy. The dogs loved the steak scraps and left over french fries, (the boys had McDonalds for dinner).
The boys were very excited to play outside when we got home. Day care always has them outside if the weather is not horrible but they have not spent a whole lot of time out in the yard this winter. They went wild. Especially fun was throwing the pea gravel.
We ate dinner out on the patio. It was shaded but still warm enough. Grilled steaks, caprisi salad and a green salad. Yummy. The dogs loved the steak scraps and left over french fries, (the boys had McDonalds for dinner).
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Doors to nowhere
Rhys and I went to the "tool store" today. We actually went to two of them. We were looking for sand box sand. Most of theirs is in the yard and the rocks now.
What we found was endless adventure. Home Depot has doors and windows on display. You look through the window and it is not outside, it is still inside. When you go through the doors you have not gone anywhere. There is no wall. You can just walk around and go through again. In some places they even have doors that just lead to another door. MAGIC!
Rhys loves this part of the store. He would probably spend hours here. His favorite game is to go through a door while I try to find him. He especially loves the display that has two doors, separated by about a foot of space. He can get in the middle and go out which ever door I am not at.
The other thing Rhys loves about this store is the lawn tractors. Fortunately for Daddy they are right next to the grills. Rhys loves to "drive" the tractors. He has to take each and every one for a spin. He seems partial to the John Deeres.
Did you know they now sell grills with built in refrigerators?
What we found was endless adventure. Home Depot has doors and windows on display. You look through the window and it is not outside, it is still inside. When you go through the doors you have not gone anywhere. There is no wall. You can just walk around and go through again. In some places they even have doors that just lead to another door. MAGIC!
Rhys loves this part of the store. He would probably spend hours here. His favorite game is to go through a door while I try to find him. He especially loves the display that has two doors, separated by about a foot of space. He can get in the middle and go out which ever door I am not at.
The other thing Rhys loves about this store is the lawn tractors. Fortunately for Daddy they are right next to the grills. Rhys loves to "drive" the tractors. He has to take each and every one for a spin. He seems partial to the John Deeres.
Did you know they now sell grills with built in refrigerators?
Sourdough
We had sourdough pancakes for breakfast this morning. The sourdough we use is 38 years old. It was a gift from my Nana and Grandad.
Sourdough has to be mixed the night before. You then take some of the batter, in the morning, and put it back in the container for next time. You use what is left in the bowl as the basis for whatever you are cooking.
Whenever we make sourdough it makes both Tracy and think about Nana and Grandad, who died two years ago. This morning Tracy brought up a story that I had forgotten. One morning we were making pancakes. The phone rang and it was Grandad. He popped out with "Which do you think is better for mixing, a whisk or a fork?". "Which one will put more bubbles in the mix?" Tracy responded "Hold on, let me try it and I'll let you know." It turns out the whisk was better. "Thanks, that's what I thought but Nana thought the fork would be better. Bye." Grandad was famous for those kinds of phone calls.
I miss Nana & Grandad, but it is nice to have little things that bring them close again.
Sourdough has to be mixed the night before. You then take some of the batter, in the morning, and put it back in the container for next time. You use what is left in the bowl as the basis for whatever you are cooking.
Whenever we make sourdough it makes both Tracy and think about Nana and Grandad, who died two years ago. This morning Tracy brought up a story that I had forgotten. One morning we were making pancakes. The phone rang and it was Grandad. He popped out with "Which do you think is better for mixing, a whisk or a fork?". "Which one will put more bubbles in the mix?" Tracy responded "Hold on, let me try it and I'll let you know." It turns out the whisk was better. "Thanks, that's what I thought but Nana thought the fork would be better. Bye." Grandad was famous for those kinds of phone calls.
I miss Nana & Grandad, but it is nice to have little things that bring them close again.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Snow Blower
We got our foot of snow. That means two feet in the driveway, the way the wind stacks it up. We also had a power outage. It lasted two hours, though we didn't know that at the time, of course. Two pieces of good news with the power outage. One, the house only dropped two degrees in those two hours. The other is that we figured out how to get our fire places to work when the power is out.
I went out to clear off the snow, in case we had to go somewhere with power. I used the snow blower. I often like to shovel the snow, but this was a big heavy spring snow. Did I mention it was two feet deep. No shovel.
I had cleared the driveway and was working my way down the sidewalk when Rhys showed up. He was all bundled up and cute as can be. He slipped in between my arms and put his hands on mine, "driving" the snow blower.
Rhys loves to help.
I went out to clear off the snow, in case we had to go somewhere with power. I used the snow blower. I often like to shovel the snow, but this was a big heavy spring snow. Did I mention it was two feet deep. No shovel.
I had cleared the driveway and was working my way down the sidewalk when Rhys showed up. He was all bundled up and cute as can be. He slipped in between my arms and put his hands on mine, "driving" the snow blower.
Rhys loves to help.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Snow again
It's snowing again. We are supposed to get a foot or so. Owyn loves these big flakes. He doesn't like the cold, wet part of snow though. When Tracy and the boys got home I set Owyn down by the garage door so he could watch the snow.
He stood and looked. He smiled. He watched. He stepped outside. The snow fell on his face. He laughed. He looked around some more. Up, to the sides. Up and down the street. He walked out into the yard. He stood and reached up, trying to catch the flakes.
Owyn laughed.
Duck Owyn! And proud of it!
We were watching Word World, one of the boy's favorite shows. One of the characters on the show is Duck. He intersperses his words with "quack, quack".
Duck said his "quack, quack". I looked at Owyn, "Owyn, Quack! Quack!". He looked at me, smiled, looked back to the TV and said "Qack, qack".
Duck said his "quack, quack". I looked at Owyn, "Owyn, Quack! Quack!". He looked at me, smiled, looked back to the TV and said "Qack, qack".
Thursday, April 16, 2009
For Owie
Rhys had physical therapy this morning. That means that he and Tracy dropped Owyn off at day care, but Rhys didn't stay. They took Owyn to his room, then went down to Rhys' room so Tracy could drop off his pack, for pre-school in the afternoon.
While they were in Rhys' room his teacher gave him one of the biscuits they were having for breakfast. He was cheerfully munching it as they walked out, when Rhys saw Owyn again. Rhys ran up to Owyn, to give him a hug, and saw that he did not have a biscuit. So he gave him his. Mama told Rhys that Owyn would get his own and Rhys said, "No, for Owie".
When Owyns teacher gave him his biscuit, only then would Rhys take his back and leave with Mama. He has a very generous heart.
While they were in Rhys' room his teacher gave him one of the biscuits they were having for breakfast. He was cheerfully munching it as they walked out, when Rhys saw Owyn again. Rhys ran up to Owyn, to give him a hug, and saw that he did not have a biscuit. So he gave him his. Mama told Rhys that Owyn would get his own and Rhys said, "No, for Owie".
When Owyns teacher gave him his biscuit, only then would Rhys take his back and leave with Mama. He has a very generous heart.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
King Clumsy
Owyn got his Mama's grace. I've seen her trip walking across perfectly level pavement. Today at day care Owyn was headed out the door to play outside and biffed it. This is not the first time.
When I picked him up the first thing the lady said was, "We didn't call you, but Owyn had an accident". That is when his little head popped up over a piece of furniture. It looked like he had gone five rounds with Mike Tyson, except his ear was all there.
His whole nose was bright red. Clown nose bright red. He had a big old scrape/cut/raspberry under his nose and his lip was a little swollen.
His smile was still beautiful though.
When I picked him up the first thing the lady said was, "We didn't call you, but Owyn had an accident". That is when his little head popped up over a piece of furniture. It looked like he had gone five rounds with Mike Tyson, except his ear was all there.
His whole nose was bright red. Clown nose bright red. He had a big old scrape/cut/raspberry under his nose and his lip was a little swollen.
His smile was still beautiful though.
And Hard Nights
Rough one at our house last night. About 2330 (1130 PM for all you not in the know) Rhys came to bed with us. He used to do this a lot. We broke him of the habit by having Tracy wake me up and take him back to bed. Sometimes this happened three times a night. He almost always sleeps in his own bed now.
As I was saying, last night Rhys came to bed with us. Tracy gave me the elbow of doom (C) and I got up, scooped him up and took him into his room. As I leaned over to lay him down I set my hand on the bed, right in a big old nasty pool of puke. The coughing had struck again.
I called Tracy in, this was a two person job. Lights on, bleary eyes all around, Rhys squawking, much fun was had by all. We stripped his bed and I cleaned barf off of stuff in the sink before sticking it all in the washer. Sheets, pillow cases, blanket, stuffed animals and Rhys' pajamas. Tracy made the bed.
As I walked into the room after getting the laundry going, Rhys threw up again. Tracy was worried that he would be dehydrated and had given him some water. That was too much for his little stomach and he let it all go. Another pillow and case gone. A towel for him to sleep on and off to bed.
Or maybe not. Owyn heard the ruckus and woke up crying. Tracy got him calmed down and back to bed. I lost an hour of sleep. Tracy took more like two to get back to sleep.
On the upside, I threw in a bunch of towels and stuff with his bedding so we got a head start on some laundry.
As I was saying, last night Rhys came to bed with us. Tracy gave me the elbow of doom (C) and I got up, scooped him up and took him into his room. As I leaned over to lay him down I set my hand on the bed, right in a big old nasty pool of puke. The coughing had struck again.
I called Tracy in, this was a two person job. Lights on, bleary eyes all around, Rhys squawking, much fun was had by all. We stripped his bed and I cleaned barf off of stuff in the sink before sticking it all in the washer. Sheets, pillow cases, blanket, stuffed animals and Rhys' pajamas. Tracy made the bed.
As I walked into the room after getting the laundry going, Rhys threw up again. Tracy was worried that he would be dehydrated and had given him some water. That was too much for his little stomach and he let it all go. Another pillow and case gone. A towel for him to sleep on and off to bed.
Or maybe not. Owyn heard the ruckus and woke up crying. Tracy got him calmed down and back to bed. I lost an hour of sleep. Tracy took more like two to get back to sleep.
On the upside, I threw in a bunch of towels and stuff with his bedding so we got a head start on some laundry.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Hard days
The last few days have been pretty rough. Both boys are fighting off double ear infections. In the case of Owyn I stayed home with him last Friday because he was running a 103+ temp. He is feeling better but has been a right royal little turd all weekend. Very grumpy.
With Rhys it is coughing fits. Last night he coughed so hard he threw up all over the floor. He was standing on the carpet, right next to the hardwood. Of course he dumped it all on the carpet. Sympathy won out over annoyance, but they were both there, oh yes, battling it out for supremacy. It was especially touching when the only bucket I could find was his (empty) Easter bucket. He refused to throw up in it and barfed on the floor again instead. At least he takes care of his stuff.
I hope the antibiotics kick in soon. These are two very unhappy little boys.
With Rhys it is coughing fits. Last night he coughed so hard he threw up all over the floor. He was standing on the carpet, right next to the hardwood. Of course he dumped it all on the carpet. Sympathy won out over annoyance, but they were both there, oh yes, battling it out for supremacy. It was especially touching when the only bucket I could find was his (empty) Easter bucket. He refused to throw up in it and barfed on the floor again instead. At least he takes care of his stuff.
I hope the antibiotics kick in soon. These are two very unhappy little boys.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Socks
Everyone knows that socks go on the end of your appendage. Now me, I hate wearing socks. It may be the best thing about summer that I can go around without socks. Owyn has gotten that little genetic gem from me. He can't wait to take off his shoes and socks.
This next bit is pure Owyn. No credit from my side of the family on this one. After he takes off his socks he puts them on his hands. He will sit around watching TV with his gee in his mouth and a sock on each hand. Socks on? Check. Appendages covered? Check. Feet comfy, cozy? Check.
I am completely baffled.
This next bit is pure Owyn. No credit from my side of the family on this one. After he takes off his socks he puts them on his hands. He will sit around watching TV with his gee in his mouth and a sock on each hand. Socks on? Check. Appendages covered? Check. Feet comfy, cozy? Check.
I am completely baffled.
No!
Owyn has finally started saying "NO". It is actually quite cute. He has been doing it for almost a week now and I am not tired of it yet. It comes out nnnnO with the emphasis on the O.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Biblophiles
I was out playing toy soldiers today. When I got home the house was suspiciously quiet. The kind of quiet that every parent dreads. Tracy was sorting recipes. I asked her where the boys were. "upstairs". "What are they doing?". "I'm afraid to find out".
I went up, and saw the light from under Rhys' door. "Stay away from the light" the voice in my head told me. I normally do whatever the voice tells me. Not his time, fortunately. I opened the door, fearing the worst. They boys were sitting side by side, backs against the other door, with a half circle of books all around them, reading.
When they saw me, Owyn jumped up and ran to me "Hi". He gave me a big smile, hug and kiss "Maah". Rhys ran over and hugged both of us. Owyn went back over and sat down to read. I asked Rhys "do you want to stay here and read?". "Yeah, bye". He escorted me to the door and closed it behind me.
As I hit the top of the stairs he poked his head out and said "bye Daddy" and blew me a kiss. I sure do love it when they play nicely together.
I went up, and saw the light from under Rhys' door. "Stay away from the light" the voice in my head told me. I normally do whatever the voice tells me. Not his time, fortunately. I opened the door, fearing the worst. They boys were sitting side by side, backs against the other door, with a half circle of books all around them, reading.
When they saw me, Owyn jumped up and ran to me "Hi". He gave me a big smile, hug and kiss "Maah". Rhys ran over and hugged both of us. Owyn went back over and sat down to read. I asked Rhys "do you want to stay here and read?". "Yeah, bye". He escorted me to the door and closed it behind me.
As I hit the top of the stairs he poked his head out and said "bye Daddy" and blew me a kiss. I sure do love it when they play nicely together.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Owyn is sick
Owyn and I were home today. It is always nice to spend a day with just one of the boys, and I don't get as much time with Owyn as I do with Rhys.
Owyn has been running a fever off and on all week. Yesterday it spiked and last night was pretty bad. We kept it down with ibuprofen and managed to get through the night. This morning it was lower and with the ibuprofen it dropped to just above normal.
He was more active once it dropped, actually moving around and playing a little. He ate a banana and had a couple of bottles. Mostly he either sat in my chair watching Sesame Street or sat in my lap.
He fell asleep in my lap at noon. He almost never does that. It was very sweet and I kept him there as long as I could. Eventually I had to go to the bathroom, so he had to go to bed. He woke, of course, and cried. I got him settled down, but he woke up after twenty minutes so I got him calmed again. He, again, fell asleep on me.
When he finally woke up Tracy took him to the Dr. Double ear infection. Wonderful. We have lost track of how many he has had. He is on anti-biotics now and we are taking him to the ENT next month. Hopefully they have some thoughts.
I hope he is feeling better tomorrow. He has been a very sad sight. Very cuddly though. I have to admit, guiltily, that I love how the boys just want to cuddle when they are feeling sick.
Owyn has been running a fever off and on all week. Yesterday it spiked and last night was pretty bad. We kept it down with ibuprofen and managed to get through the night. This morning it was lower and with the ibuprofen it dropped to just above normal.
He was more active once it dropped, actually moving around and playing a little. He ate a banana and had a couple of bottles. Mostly he either sat in my chair watching Sesame Street or sat in my lap.
He fell asleep in my lap at noon. He almost never does that. It was very sweet and I kept him there as long as I could. Eventually I had to go to the bathroom, so he had to go to bed. He woke, of course, and cried. I got him settled down, but he woke up after twenty minutes so I got him calmed again. He, again, fell asleep on me.
When he finally woke up Tracy took him to the Dr. Double ear infection. Wonderful. We have lost track of how many he has had. He is on anti-biotics now and we are taking him to the ENT next month. Hopefully they have some thoughts.
I hope he is feeling better tomorrow. He has been a very sad sight. Very cuddly though. I have to admit, guiltily, that I love how the boys just want to cuddle when they are feeling sick.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Eye's abeep
Rhys's first word was "eye". He loved to point to his eyes, our eyes, everyone's eyes. He has beautiful blue eyes, though of course, he doesn't know that.
The last part of our bedtime routine is when I lay down next to him and we have some quiet time together. I was laying there with him tonight, with my eyes open, staring at the wall. He looked at me and pointed his little finger at my eye and said "Eye's abeep", and poked me. My eye was, indeed, "abeep" at that point.
The last part of our bedtime routine is when I lay down next to him and we have some quiet time together. I was laying there with him tonight, with my eyes open, staring at the wall. He looked at me and pointed his little finger at my eye and said "Eye's abeep", and poked me. My eye was, indeed, "abeep" at that point.
Owie peed on my floor
There you go. I gave it all away in the title. I was worried because I didn't really have any ideas what to write today. Fortunately, the boys came through in the clutch.
Owyn is sick today. He was fine this morning. Tracy dropped him off at school and all was well. According to all reports he had a good morning. Then he woke up up from nap with a fever and zero desire to do anything. Tracy got the call. Why do they always call the wife first? I was home, I could have gotten him. Oh well. She wanted to leave early anyway.
We ran some errands and got the boys home. Owyn just sat in the chair and watched his shows, (Word World, Super Why, Icky's clubhouse and Sesame street). He didn't move, he didn't squawk or cry, he just sat there.
After Rhys' dinner it was bath time. Rhys was D-U-N done. These long days with no nap are kicking his narrow little butt. I'm looking forward to summer break. Not only will he get a nap every day but I will not have to pick him up early so I will have time to work out after work.
I went up first to run the bath. I like to do this because I am an odd man. I stop the drain and put the water on full. This, of course, means that the bath starts filling with cold water. Once it gets hot I turn it down to boy temp and let it fill. Before this though, I fill the big cup with the warm water and dump it in the cold end to warm it up. Makes perfect sense to me.
Tracy brought the boys up and got Owyn stripped down neked. I helped Rhys get out of his clothes. He is almost able to do it himself. Owyn came marching into Rhys' room wearing nothing but his Gee. As he turned to head for the bath he let go and pee'd all over Rhys's floor.
Rhys was mildly annoyed. Sitting in the bath he kept saying, "Owie peed on my foor". Tracy and I laughed, then I jumped in to wash the boys (my job anyway, I just wasn't going to let her snake it from me tonight). That left Tracy to clean up the mess.
I choose to believe that this was an un-potty trained two year old and not an editorial comment on Owyn's part.
Owyn is sick today. He was fine this morning. Tracy dropped him off at school and all was well. According to all reports he had a good morning. Then he woke up up from nap with a fever and zero desire to do anything. Tracy got the call. Why do they always call the wife first? I was home, I could have gotten him. Oh well. She wanted to leave early anyway.
We ran some errands and got the boys home. Owyn just sat in the chair and watched his shows, (Word World, Super Why, Icky's clubhouse and Sesame street). He didn't move, he didn't squawk or cry, he just sat there.
After Rhys' dinner it was bath time. Rhys was D-U-N done. These long days with no nap are kicking his narrow little butt. I'm looking forward to summer break. Not only will he get a nap every day but I will not have to pick him up early so I will have time to work out after work.
I went up first to run the bath. I like to do this because I am an odd man. I stop the drain and put the water on full. This, of course, means that the bath starts filling with cold water. Once it gets hot I turn it down to boy temp and let it fill. Before this though, I fill the big cup with the warm water and dump it in the cold end to warm it up. Makes perfect sense to me.
Tracy brought the boys up and got Owyn stripped down neked. I helped Rhys get out of his clothes. He is almost able to do it himself. Owyn came marching into Rhys' room wearing nothing but his Gee. As he turned to head for the bath he let go and pee'd all over Rhys's floor.
Rhys was mildly annoyed. Sitting in the bath he kept saying, "Owie peed on my foor". Tracy and I laughed, then I jumped in to wash the boys (my job anyway, I just wasn't going to let her snake it from me tonight). That left Tracy to clean up the mess.
I choose to believe that this was an un-potty trained two year old and not an editorial comment on Owyn's part.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
NO! No bedtime!
Today is the first day this week that Rhys and I have not had something to do after school. This is his first week of four days of pre-school. His first week riding the bus every day. His first week of Occupational Therapy (OT). Monday was swimming. He is holding up well, but it takes a toll on the little dude, as you will soon see.
Yesterday was OT. He did very well considering he had been going for about nine hours without a break by that point. It lasts for 50 minutes and is every Tuesday. Day care, pre-school, then OT. Long days.
Today I picked him up at school and he was in a great mood. We went to "Daddy and Rhys's store" and he had his M&M's. I bought him a Cars comic book. Tim, the owner, thinks Rhys is quite the charming little fellow. He was less impressed when Rhys got behind the counter and knocked over the glass shelves in the display cabinet. Tim was very good about it, and seemed to be more concerned that Rhys was hurt than anything else, but it did not please Daddy at all.
Once we got home it was time to make dinner. We had red beans and rice. We have been planning this for at least a week. My aunt and uncle live in New Orleans so we thought we would ask them for a recipe. No dice on getting their email in time so we made it up.
Rhys and I cut up an onion, three cloves of garlic and six cajun sausages and fried them in olive oil. At the same time we made two cups of chicken broth in a pot and added a tsp of cajun seasoning (two or three would be better). To this we added two cans of beans (three would be better), slime and all. Once the frying was done we dumped that into the pot as well and let the whole thing simmer for an hour. We added rice until the mixture looked right and let it cook for another fifteen minutes. Quite yummy.
Rhys did not make it to dinner though. We snacked a bit while we cooked, then we sat down and watched some Rhys shows. Daddy fell asleep until Mama and Owyn got home (ten minutes), then Rhys promptly went down. We laid him out on the couch while we got dinner going.
After twenty minutes he woke up screaming. There was no consoling him, so off to bed. "No, No bed!". He hates to go to bed before his brother. I took him up and he cried and cried. He cried as I got him dressed. He cried as we fed fish. We laid down and he fell asleep. Every couple of minutes he woke up, looked for me, and went back to sleep. When I finally left, he cried.
After ten minutes of him crying I went back up. He was ready for stories. I read him his two stories and we laid down together. I got up to leave and he said, "No, Daddy stay". "I'll stay for a little while". We do this every night. After "a little while" I got up and left and he was happy. Now, thirty minutes later, he is crying again.
This has the makings of a long night.
Yesterday was OT. He did very well considering he had been going for about nine hours without a break by that point. It lasts for 50 minutes and is every Tuesday. Day care, pre-school, then OT. Long days.
Today I picked him up at school and he was in a great mood. We went to "Daddy and Rhys's store" and he had his M&M's. I bought him a Cars comic book. Tim, the owner, thinks Rhys is quite the charming little fellow. He was less impressed when Rhys got behind the counter and knocked over the glass shelves in the display cabinet. Tim was very good about it, and seemed to be more concerned that Rhys was hurt than anything else, but it did not please Daddy at all.
Once we got home it was time to make dinner. We had red beans and rice. We have been planning this for at least a week. My aunt and uncle live in New Orleans so we thought we would ask them for a recipe. No dice on getting their email in time so we made it up.
Rhys and I cut up an onion, three cloves of garlic and six cajun sausages and fried them in olive oil. At the same time we made two cups of chicken broth in a pot and added a tsp of cajun seasoning (two or three would be better). To this we added two cans of beans (three would be better), slime and all. Once the frying was done we dumped that into the pot as well and let the whole thing simmer for an hour. We added rice until the mixture looked right and let it cook for another fifteen minutes. Quite yummy.
Rhys did not make it to dinner though. We snacked a bit while we cooked, then we sat down and watched some Rhys shows. Daddy fell asleep until Mama and Owyn got home (ten minutes), then Rhys promptly went down. We laid him out on the couch while we got dinner going.
After twenty minutes he woke up screaming. There was no consoling him, so off to bed. "No, No bed!". He hates to go to bed before his brother. I took him up and he cried and cried. He cried as I got him dressed. He cried as we fed fish. We laid down and he fell asleep. Every couple of minutes he woke up, looked for me, and went back to sleep. When I finally left, he cried.
After ten minutes of him crying I went back up. He was ready for stories. I read him his two stories and we laid down together. I got up to leave and he said, "No, Daddy stay". "I'll stay for a little while". We do this every night. After "a little while" I got up and left and he was happy. Now, thirty minutes later, he is crying again.
This has the makings of a long night.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Cookies, COOKIES!
Tracy and the boys made cookies today. Rhys and I had McDonald's before swimming, so neither of us was hungry for dinner. Owyn had a late snack and wasn't feeling well. Since we weren't cooking dinner they made the cookies we had planned on baking this weekend.
Rhys loves to "help" in the kitchen. He is very good at stirring. Especially if you don't care how much stays in the bowl. He is a very enthusiastic chef. I have high hopes that he will get an attention span at some point and learn to cook from his Mama. With two of them in the house I should be able to get by with never cooking again.
Owyn is not so keen on helping. He mostly likes the sampling part. Between the two of them it is a miracle that anything they are a part of ever becomes actual food.
It sure is fun to watch though.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Bath time
The towels we use for the boys resemble Roman war gear. They are towels with a built in animal head hood. I should get them eagle standards to go with them. Though, come to think of it, I doubt the Romans ever used a frog and an alligator as their capes.
Both boys' towels are green. Owyn's has ears on top. Owyn loves to see himself in the mirror, in his towel, after he is out of the bath. He is unspeakably cute in it, so I'll let the picture do the talking.
Circus mirrors
The toilet paper holders in our house are mirrored and silvery. They have balls on each end, which are all you can see when there is a roll of toilet paper on them. Bear with me here.
Rhys and Owyn's holder does not have toilet paper on it because Owyn likes to play with the TP. When I am putting Rhys to bed, nap time or for the night, he likes to play with the shiny ball. This makes potty time take a LOT longer.
When he is sitting on the toilet he looks more or less normal. As he gets his face closer and closer it becomes more and more distorted. He loves to stare at it as he brings his nose right up to the ball, until it is touching. I have to admit that the effect is quite amusing, if not very flattering.
Four year olds don't care about flattering. Funny is where the action is.
Rhys and Owyn's holder does not have toilet paper on it because Owyn likes to play with the TP. When I am putting Rhys to bed, nap time or for the night, he likes to play with the shiny ball. This makes potty time take a LOT longer.
When he is sitting on the toilet he looks more or less normal. As he gets his face closer and closer it becomes more and more distorted. He loves to stare at it as he brings his nose right up to the ball, until it is touching. I have to admit that the effect is quite amusing, if not very flattering.
Four year olds don't care about flattering. Funny is where the action is.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Shhhhhhh
I put Owyn to bed tonight. Rhys wanted to be up there with us. Mama told Rhys that he had to be very quiet and sit on the floor or he would have to go straight to bed.
Owyn drank his bottle while I got him ready, then we sat in his chair. Rhys was very quiet, he whispered and sat on the floor. Owyn played with my hands. We did high five with knuckles. He is learning that at day care.
When we left Owyn's room, Rhys looked at me and put his finger to his mouth to shush me. When he does it he has his finger going side to side instead of up and down. It is also in his mouth, along his teeth. He very earnestly looked at me, stuck his finger sideways and said "Shhhh, Owy abeep".
Owyn drank his bottle while I got him ready, then we sat in his chair. Rhys was very quiet, he whispered and sat on the floor. Owyn played with my hands. We did high five with knuckles. He is learning that at day care.
When we left Owyn's room, Rhys looked at me and put his finger to his mouth to shush me. When he does it he has his finger going side to side instead of up and down. It is also in his mouth, along his teeth. He very earnestly looked at me, stuck his finger sideways and said "Shhhh, Owy abeep".
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Monster
Rhys was plenty pissed off at me today. First he didn't get to see me last night. Then, he figured that he would see me when he woke up, but I was already at work by the time any of my family woke up.
He was a right royal pain in the ass. Three time outs and a smack on the head when he tried to bite Mama. By the time Tracy dropped him off at day care she was done with him. She warned Miss Lupe (Rhys' teacher, again), that he was a monster that morning.
At lunch time Tracy always calls and checks on the boys, then calls me to let me know how they are. Miss Lupe confirmed that, yes, indeed, Rhys was a monster that morning. Fortunately, for him, it only lasted about a half hour.
After receiving this intelligence, I called and asked to talk Rhys. He answered the phone "Daddy at work?". He was worried that I had left him again (Korea). "Yes, Daddy's at work." I told him that if he was good and didn't have any accidents "We'll go bye bye". "To Daddy's store?" he asked hopefully. "Yes, to daddy's store".
When I got there to pick him up he saw me and came flying across the room, "Daddy, daddy, my daddy". I got a huge hug and a big kiss and he was all sweetness and light. Our visit to "Daddy and Rhys' store" went well. It went so well that we went bye bye again, to Lowes. I should have quit while I was ahead. Oh well. At least he got to go bye bye.
He was a right royal pain in the ass. Three time outs and a smack on the head when he tried to bite Mama. By the time Tracy dropped him off at day care she was done with him. She warned Miss Lupe (Rhys' teacher, again), that he was a monster that morning.
At lunch time Tracy always calls and checks on the boys, then calls me to let me know how they are. Miss Lupe confirmed that, yes, indeed, Rhys was a monster that morning. Fortunately, for him, it only lasted about a half hour.
After receiving this intelligence, I called and asked to talk Rhys. He answered the phone "Daddy at work?". He was worried that I had left him again (Korea). "Yes, Daddy's at work." I told him that if he was good and didn't have any accidents "We'll go bye bye". "To Daddy's store?" he asked hopefully. "Yes, to daddy's store".
When I got there to pick him up he saw me and came flying across the room, "Daddy, daddy, my daddy". I got a huge hug and a big kiss and he was all sweetness and light. Our visit to "Daddy and Rhys' store" went well. It went so well that we went bye bye again, to Lowes. I should have quit while I was ahead. Oh well. At least he got to go bye bye.
Some people never learn
So there was one dude left, of our circle of Marine friends. One guy who had the smarts to stay single. Not any more. He finally got engaged. You would think he would have seen how happy all of the other married guys are. Seen it and kept the hell away.
I found out about this through his girl friend's Facebook pictures. First there was the one captioned "My future husband". Creepy, I thought. I wonder if Nate knows. The next shot was something like "My fiance". Now I'm not very SMRT but this was starting to look suspicious. The third one was captioned "We just told my mom that we are getting married. Now she needs a drink". I called out to Tracy "Hon, I think Nate is getting married". I'm super sharp, I am.
Now I figured this out all on my own. I told one other person. Usually that is more than enough to get the word to all and sundry. Marines gossip worse than old women. Two weeks later, Nate hadn't heard anything so he sent out the mass mail. THEN the fun started.
Last night we met for drinks at our favorite bar, The Dry Dock. They used to be just a home brew shop. Three years ago they started selling the beer they brewed. They make award winning beer. It is also horse-kicking-you-in-the-teeth strong. Great stuff. A couple of beers turned into way to many for some of the folks. I was on call. I only got to have two.
By the time I got home Tracy and the boys were asleep. I got everything ready for the next day (lunch, clothes, coffee) and hit the rack. I miss seeing the boys.
I found out about this through his girl friend's Facebook pictures. First there was the one captioned "My future husband". Creepy, I thought. I wonder if Nate knows. The next shot was something like "My fiance". Now I'm not very SMRT but this was starting to look suspicious. The third one was captioned "We just told my mom that we are getting married. Now she needs a drink". I called out to Tracy "Hon, I think Nate is getting married". I'm super sharp, I am.
Now I figured this out all on my own. I told one other person. Usually that is more than enough to get the word to all and sundry. Marines gossip worse than old women. Two weeks later, Nate hadn't heard anything so he sent out the mass mail. THEN the fun started.
Last night we met for drinks at our favorite bar, The Dry Dock. They used to be just a home brew shop. Three years ago they started selling the beer they brewed. They make award winning beer. It is also horse-kicking-you-in-the-teeth strong. Great stuff. A couple of beers turned into way to many for some of the folks. I was on call. I only got to have two.
By the time I got home Tracy and the boys were asleep. I got everything ready for the next day (lunch, clothes, coffee) and hit the rack. I miss seeing the boys.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
