Memory snapshot

One of my favorite happenings this week was Father's Day. Jeff wore the tie that Izzy made him in toddler class. Everywhere we went complete strangers were complimenting him! Church, the grocery store, pet store, etc. I'm not exaggerating when I say at least fifteen people said something. I think it made him feel like a celebrity. That's how all dad's should feel on Father's Day!

Other moments I want to capture and bottle up...

Izzy singing to me in the bath tub after I sang to her. It went something like, "Oo..book... duck... ooo.. ..ooo... the end!! Yay!!!"


The quote of the week came from my adorable four year old niece, Tessa, when she explained that Addie wasn't hungry so she didn't want to nurse... "The baby wasn't hungry so she didn't eat Aunt Stephanie's bra."

Izzy is not-so-mildly obsessed with Curious George. Today I overheard her asking one of her stuffed animals if she could watch a video. She got an enthusiastic Yes! from the animal.

Why My Hubby is an Awesome Dad

Why you are an awesome dad...

You take Izzy on "flights" almost daily.

You take on evening time with Addie and actually enjoy it.

You change diapers.

You stay home with us, a lot.

You bring home the bacon even though it's exhausting.

You get up early with kids when you know their mom has had a rough night.

You readily agreed to sell your car for a minivan (I know, I know, the title says "station wagon")

You kill spiders for us.

You spray bees for us (and do it the less toxic but probably more pain-in-the-butt way so your kids can have a safe lawn to play on barefoot)

You have supported the healthy food changes in this house without complaint.

You help with dinner, or even make all of it for us sometimes.

You fingerpaint with Izzy despite the crazy mess!!

You were so crazy proud to introduce your kids to your coworkers.

You get up with Izzy when she's scared at night.

You finished reading a book with Izzy tonight when I had to nurse Addie...and then you read it a second time!

Piggyback rides. 'Nuff said.

Laundry and toy cleanup- taking on two tasks that grow exponentially with kids.

You help me get back on track when I'm feeling like an overwhelmed mommy.

You pray with and for the kids.

You spend more time in the sun than you want to so that Izzy can have fun outside.

You are excited to get the Father's Day gift that Izzy made for you in class.

I totally blew your Father's Day surprise and you just hugged me and smiled and said Thank You!

The list goes on, but it's 4 am and I can't think. By the way, you are sleeping next to me right now even though this is the noisiest room in the house at night, due to baby wake ups.

You rock! And we love you very much!

Happy Father's Day!

Toddler Bully?

Tomorrow is our last day of tot class for this semester. I'm dreading it somewhat. Here's why...

I didn't realize there was such a thing as toddler "bullying". Preschool maybe, but toddler?! I don't want to label Tommy permanently as a bully, but I'm afraid that is his behavior that I will most remember about him.

Last Thursday in our Mommy and Me class, Tommy pushed Izzy. It wasn't your average push. He locked his sights on her and charged. She ran. I tried to intercept but didn't make it in time. Izzy was slammed into a wall. And I was facing Tommy and said, quite firmly, "That's unacceptable!". And by firmly, i mean it was almost a yell. It wasn't an ideal response, but it was mild compared to how my mama bear instincts wanted to respond. (think Kung-Fu ninja)

It seems we are moving into the age where Izzy's peers aren't as sweet as they used to be, and I'm really struggling with how to react. I absolutely don't blame the kids, or even the parents in most cases. Kids will be kids. They are learning. But Tommy's mom just doesn't seem to care, which drives me nuts. I can't tell other parents what to do (and believe me, I have a litany of ideas for this particular mom!). So I'm left with the only thing that I can control: how I respond. In theory, anyway.

The teacher and another mom gave me a great tip, though. Teach Izzy how to put her hand out and say STOP! They said it usually alarms the attacker enough that they stop and give me time to intervene. Also, it gives Izzy back some power.

And that's what I really want. She's going to run into this so much (and sometimes she'll be the offender). I want her to not feel the victim.

We went home and re-enacted the scene with Stuffed animals. When Curious George told Mickey the Moose, "Stop Tommy!" Izzy went over to the moose and said "it's okay, Tommy.". She did that in class too. At the end of class she brought Tommy a toy.

I've pondered that a lot since that class. I ultimately want her to remain the loving, empathetic girl that she is.

I hope I can be that forgiving at our next class .

Memory Keeper

The girls are changing so fast. Since I don't do baby books, this blog is serving as one of the main memory keepers. So I thought I would use a post to make a few notes about things that I've noticed lately and want to remember later...

1. Izzy tried to feed Addie a cheese quesadilla today. Izzy likes for us all to enjoy any food she particularly likes (especially Popsicles, lollipops and cheese). More and more, she wants Addie to enjoy these too.

2. There are tons of sisterly snuggles right now. Izzy hugs Addie and they both giggle. Addie just developed this belly laugh that gets set off by Izzy's hugs or my tickles or my friend Shannon tickling her belly. It's the sweetest giggle ever! And Izzy is the sweetest big sister ever!

3. Izzy is loving all things outdoors. Sometimes when that fresh air hits her she just runs and laughs. Our "run"'usually takes us down the path to visit Sunny, the neighbors' dog. Izzy calls "SUNNNEEEE" before we are within 500 feet of the house:). When she was one year old she used to bark at the dog. The neighbors told me once at church that the dad went out to see why Sunny was barking. He came back in and said in a surprised fashion, "That wasn't Sunny barking, that was a little girl!". Lol! I love that story!

After seeing Sunny, Izzy usually leads the three of us (Addie often passed out in Ergo carrier) to see the ducks at the nearby apartment complex. She gets soooo excited over this! She talks to them a lot..."Hi duck, hi goose!".

4. Addie is teething and using her tongue to rub and comfort her sore gums. She looks like a lizard for most of the day. It's hilarious to watch. I just got out the teethers yesterday. I'm mildly OCD when it comes to germs. Having a baby who will want to put everything in her mouth and a toddler that touches everything with her usually dirty hands is going to test my wits. Yesterday Izzy wiped her runny nose with the baby's cloth wrist rattle. It's gonna be a long year...

5. I just feel so blessed to get to spend time with my girls and Jeff. Undeserving and blessed.

Oh and if anyone didn't get a copy of Izzy eating an apple in her sleep, let me know and I will forward it on. Jeff's hoping it wins America's Funniest Home Videos so he won't have to teach summer school :). (we find out tomorrow if he gets a summer school job- fingers crossed, prayers said!).

Hope everyone is doing well. Thx for reading:)