ADVICE

"Enjoy every moment!"

"You may not realize this now, but these are the glory days."

"They grow so fast! Soak in the memories!"

I'm not sure if I have the look of exhaustion written across my face; or maybe others feel that I need a pep talk as they witness me corralling my kids in public; or perhaps others are reminded of their earlier days when they hear my children's voices ... whatever the reason, I'm always surprised when complete strangers offer up unsolicited parenting advice. Over the weekend, three women stopped me (at church, Target, and the flower nursery) ... and pleaded with me to "live in the moment."

And believe me, this isn't the first time.

I'm completely aware of how fast life is passing by. AA is nearly 6 months and JP will be turning 2 in less than one month! I'm just not sure how to live more in the moment. I try to walk that fine line between fostering firm rules with structure so that my kids will thrive in the crazy world out there AND showering them with endless attention and giving into their momentary demands. Each day ... even in the midst of chaos ... I try to tell myself "I'm gonna miss this." When JP wants to read yet another Curious George book even though it's way past his bedtime ... I'm gonna miss this. Or when AA decides to wake at 4 am just to coo and smile ... I'm gonna miss this.

I really don't know how to respond when strangers offer up this rather obvious advice. I simply smile and nod my head. Somehow I know that in the blink of an eye, I'll advising the same thing to others!

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

I thought we had a relaxing Memorial Day Weekend.

Until I downloaded my camera pictures.

Our only "out of city" adventure was dinner with "Grandpa T".

After purchasing some new perennials, JP just couldn't wait to get the flowers loaded into daddy's wheelbarrow ...
and help dig holes.

JP helped me weed the garden.

We played at the park ...

down the slide a million times

and on the swings.

JP even helped push AA.

We watched A fly a kite

(and JP too).

The excitement was just too much for AA!

I'm not sure who had more fun washing the cars

while AA and I played inside.

I think we'll all sleep great tonight!

FRIENDS

We started out the long Memorial Day weekend with a road trip to visit my friend L and her little ones, Lukas and Runa. JP was in heaven with all of the new toys to play with ... and a bowl full of pretzels! What happened to my baby??? JP has suddenly emerged as a full fledged little BOY!

LOVELY

Isn't
she

lovely?

CONVERSATION

Thatcher: Addie, is that really you? I haven't seen you since I was two days old!

AA: And I was only seven weeks old at that time! My, you are looking handsome! Get over here so I can see you better.

AA: Oh you smell good! What are you wearing?
Thatcher: You really want to know? I think it's baby barf!



AA: Dis-gus-ting! What is it with you boys?!?! My brother JP is always in my face with new smells!
Thatcher: Is JP nice to you?

AA: He's pretty nice most of the time ... oh wait a second, let's smile for my mom's camera!

Thatcher: Should I say cheese?

AA: Yep, you better say it loud or my mom won't stop with the camera flashing!

Thatcher: My mom's the same way.

AA: Where was I? JP ... yeah, he really knows how to work my mom and dad, let me tell you! He's definitely becoming a two year old with this whole "mine" attitude. I just sit and watch his every move.

Thatcher: EJ's almost two too ... and I can't wait until I can keep up with him. Sometimes I just want to tackle him!

AA: Oh, I know what you mean! JP is always swiping my toys away and rolling around me, poking my eyes and pulling at my hairbows ... I'd give anything to clobber him! Hey, I have an idea ... come close and I'll whisper it to you ...

Thatcher: Just don't lick my face while you are talking please.

AA: Sorry. Okay, here's the deal. Let's have our moms take a picture of the four of us, and while JP isn't looking, I'll give him a wet willie!

Thatcher: A wet willie? Whatever you say ... after all, you are the cougar here.

Thatcher: Okay, Addie ... here goes!

AA: AHHHH ... yes! Victory!

AA: Thanks for your help!

Thatcher: I'll see you in a few weeks when we come to MN ... I'll be thinking of some ways we can take on our big brothers again!

COUSINS

I grew up with my cousins. And I have lots of them (although not nearly the number that A has ... 75+ on just his dad's side alone!). Family gatherings and holidays were always filled with a house full of cousins running everywhere. I loved every minute of it. It saddens me to think that my kids will never experience the multitude of cousins that I did ... they have four on A's side and will likely have a similar number from my side (unless, of course, my brothers decide to follow the Duggars route!) I guess in today's generation, this is the norm! Thankfully, JP and AA were able to spend some quality time with their big cousins B and K throughout the week!

VACATION

We just returned from a week (plus) long vacation* to our nation's Capital.**

(*vacation meaning travelling with two kids under two while attending a daily heavy duty medical conference)

(**while I was able to view many sites around the Capital during my commutes in and out of the big city, my kids never knew it! We all stayed at Aunt M and Uncle K's McMansion in suburbia).
JP had been talking about "Daddy airplane" for the past month ... and he will probably continue to chant this phase for many weeks! He was SO excited! Thankfully, my munchkins succumbed to the lack of oxygen at the cruising altitude and slept most of the flight!

The kids stayed busy throughout the week. JP was the cutest little soccer fan at cousin K's Saturday morning game.

He waited patiently for half time to run out on the field and kick the ball himself.

While I was at my conference, JP and AA played with Daddy:

and Aunt M:

and Grandma S:

and Grandpa J***:

(*** we were so lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa join us for the week!)

JP chased after Buddy the dog:

We were even able to have dinner with our good friends in the area.

JP and EJ played**** together again.

(**** play, of course, being a relative terms as kids this age typically only "parallel" play. Well, unless, someone (JP) is extremely crabby and declares that everything is "mine" and then proceeds to whine for the entire dinner).

AA and Thatcher reunited again as well.

The flight home went well. Instead of two kids and two adults in two seats, we were able to snag four seats on the way back! The kids slept again! We had to wake JP up so he wouldn't miss the landing!

It's good to be home!