August - A month of Firsts

It is hard to believe that September is starting and the summer is coming to a close. The kids are getting so big!!! Dean's vocabulary has just started to explode & his silly nature is evolving on a daily basis. For Bella, August has been a month of Firsts. On our vacation to the beach she had her first sleepovers at Granny & Gramps house without any issues. Little miss independent didn't dissappoint! Shortly after returning from our NJ beach trip she decided one sunny day that she could swim, and she did. Going off the 3' diving board actually listening to mommy give instruction how not to doggy paddle her way to the ladder. She just started Ballet/Tap classes and "lives for Tuesdays" dressing up in her leotard, no longer having to nap like her little brother! She and Dean both started school at the same preschool Strathmoor (for 1 year), and it continues to be the sweetest to see. She shows him the ropes, they both march off with backpacks on shoulders (Thomas & Princess), and he sees her off to transitional Kindergarten (for older 4 year olds) and then heads to his nursery class 3 days a week. When she stays later he pouts saying, "Where's BaBa, I wanna see BaBa". Dean like his sister is very social. He adjusted beautifully to going and jumps right in, even when the majority of 2 year olds cry for their parents! He always talks about playing basketball & loves painting, playdough, the sand trough in their room & cooking at the stove station! A week ago Bella announced she was ready to have training wheels off - that afternoon. She didn't quite master 2 wheels that day, but did great! We put them back on, but moved them up & I imagine at some point this fall, before she turns 5 she'll be riding like a big girl she is. She continues to amaze me with the confidence I never dreamed of having. I love that she is sure of herself every step of the way!!! She rode a horse at our neighborhood picnic and loved it, went to her first tea party birthday celebration decked out like a princess, pearls & all!!! Dean remains your typical boy, all about sports (balls), cars & trains (hoo-hoo). He loves to get a laugh & is already a flirt. Even in the peak of the terrible 2's Dean is kind and always wanting to help mommy & daddy at any task. He is silly and fabulous...did I mention the cutest boy on the planet!
As fall weather delights our days, we won't forget the joys of the summer of 2009 when Bella was four and Dean two. Both still small in a way, but brave & adventurous - loving life & all its possibilities a new neighborhood brings.

LBI New Jersey Shore Summer Vacation 09

As I try to catch up on all things computer, laundry & life in Louisville my mind drifts back to the Jersey shore. What a wonderful week of memories I have watching my kids jump in the waves, dig in the sand, search for shells & play with cousins and grandparents. Every once in a while you get lucky enough to be the recipient of a trip such as this that exceeds all its expectations....relaxing & reconnecting with so many things I love and miss living so far away. I went for a walk on the beach one night and can still picture it in my mind, full moon, waves crashing into the rocks and the glow of Atlantic City in the distance...good stuff. Moments like these are not to be forgotten, nor will they be.

I am so grateful for my parents putting together this opportunity for us to gather at the ocean. I so enjoyed showing my kids the beauty of the state I gr ew up in, seeing the beach through their eyes. Bella made me very proud this year acting like a very big four year old . Making drip castles, crafts & pudding with Granny, ri ding wave s with Uncle Sean & Aunt Kristina & skipping naps might be the highlights of her week. She loved sleeping over at her grandparents house, as did I! She was very upset that she couldn’t take Granny home in her suitcase. Granny read her many “Magic Tree House” books under the umbrella by the ocean. As the oldest cousin on the trip this year it was fun to see the younger boys follow her around like ducks & as always she accepted the role of leader :) She loves her little cousin Aiden & is already missing his company!

Dean owned every inch of the beach, and wore me out being the 100% boy he is. Last year he didn’t like the sand, but this year he found it full of endless possibilities. He enjoyed running into & jumping waves with mommy calling them “Big WaWa” & seemed to adjust easily to the change of scenery & schedule. He is a digger, climber, performer, little bam-bam, runner and wanderer. He definitely kept me on my toes, but I loved every minute of it. At least the sand slows him down a little bit. Dean’s highlights might be stepping on people’s sand castles, driving matchbox cars, painting on the porch, throwing anything, watching people play sand sports and 

wishing he could join in. We had wonderful weather with only 2 partial rainy days. One of these mornings we went to the Barnagot Light house with friends and Bella and Dean climbed up to the top (217 steps each way). It was a great adventure on a drizzly day. We enjoyed a beautiful view from the top & even saw a fisherman catch a herring on a walk after our climb. Bella got to touch it, then watch him throw the fish back. Dean said, “He’s going home now”. On our last night we did the touristy Ice Cream singing show which the 

kids loved, especially the ice cream part.

As a great friend told me there is always this sadness that settles in when you cross over that bridge leaving LBI and this year it seems to linger. You can take the girl out of New Jersey, but you can’t take the Jersey out of the girl...and why would you want to? The week went too fast, but most fun things in life do! 

Here’s to next year at LBI!

A New Chapter

I stepped out of my house this morning to go for a walk and the FOR RENT sign in my yard sent me into a sentimental spiral. It's really happening, we are moving. A nice long walk along Bardstown Rd. gave me time to reflect on this new chapter we are beginning & mostly the one(s) we are leaving behind. In four days we close on our new house. We are finally buying after waiting for the right time in this town we love & call home. Our new house will be on a quieter street in Strathmoor Village called Gladstone Ave, not too far from here, but miles away from the life we've grown to love on Roanoke and our friends who are like family. There are so many things to be excited about, but this morning I am allowing a little melancholy to seep in and appreciating all the conveniences of the last four years. My many walks on Bardstown Rd with tiny babies and toddlers in strollers... to friends houses, playgrounds, Ray's Monkey house or Fed Ex. With two kids weighing well over 75lbs combined stroller rides have become fewer and farther between, and the safety of walking with both is not an option. It was a good ride here, so convenient to all, the perfect spot for us to move to four years ago. My kids have grown up here and come to think of each family on Roanoke as an extention of our own, calling each pet by name. Even those without young kids have loved my children and entertained the attention they demand, all the flower picking, bug searching, screaming & giggling that happens on a daily basis. I've spent many an afternoon hanging out on down the street on someone else's porch while my kids play about with thier friends. I have to wonder as I move to a street without front porches how it will go? My kids will adapt to the change quickly I am sure, but will I? I will miss my friends too. When I asked Bella what she is most excited about this summer with camp & moving to a new house she said with a big grin, without pause, "New Friends". As we gear up for a very busy few weeks ahead, when work couldn't be more demanding I think, "How will I get it all done"? Then I remember my last move 4 1/2 years ago with a colicky one month old in the middle of a snow storm driving separate cars from Georgia to Kentucky...all the stops to nurse & change diapers in cold parking lot and I know we'll get it done. I am seasoned in the job of juggling all things chaotic & am becoming comfortable with the unknown chapters ahead!

Donate a Donut!

We were in the car yesterday when we came up a red light where firemen were holding out thier boots for The Crusade for Children. Eric asked Bella if she wanted to give them some money for a good cause & somehow conversation mentioned the word donation. As usual she needed to know what this new word meant. As we were explaining what donation means Bella interrupted with, "Donate is like Donut". We smiled and said, "Yes, the word donate sounds like donut, but the meaning are different. She lost interest in our explanation and wrapped up the conversation with the statement, "You can donate a donut". We laughed between the two of us and couldn't disagree with that. "Yes Bella" I said, "You can donate a donut"!

My Mother's Day Weekend

My Mother's Day weekend was nothing short of splendid. Mother Nature cooperated giving us sunshine in Louisville and spectacular breezes. I even got to dig in the dirt on Saturday setting up my planters just so with my purple petunias! My family got me a new, much needed, much loved 22" flat screen monitor. I got to say goodbye to my old beast of a monitor that weighed a ton and was almost 2' deep. Eric cooked me fabulous dinners, as he always does and awarded me on Sunday by taking away my children for several peaceful hours. Maybe I should feel guilt not wanting to spend the entire day with my children, but I don't. This is the one day of the year we are allowed to ask for breaks and pampering guilt free. I now understand why my mom saved our homemade cards and pinned them up in the laundry room to look at year round. Both my kids brought home cards from preschool with tiny stamped hands and message wrote by their teachers. It brought tears to my eyes to be so loved and have so much love for these two little people. My children are amazing. I know all moms think that, and we should. I am so grateful to have them in my heart and in my life. Now I know Mom you were right about children being the most important thing you'll ever do in your life.

What Will They Come Up With Next?

Today was one of those days when I had to write about Bella and Dean's doings before I forget as I often do. I walked into Dean's room this morning to find him butt naked smiling with his pacifier in his mouth. His diaper and pj's lay by his feet in his crib and he was repeating the word "off". My response was laughter (probably fuel to the fire), and my first thought was, "Thank goodness it wasn't poop"!
Later in the day I went to get Bella from school. As I was buckling her into her car seat a little boy in her class ran up to say goodbye and ask if she was staying after tomorrow? I won't mention his name since I am posting this online, but let's just say he is the kind of child you dread having in your kid's class, he is a holy terror, mean & rough...toxic. Somehow my daughter has been obsessed with him since they started school together 2 years ago, and I am rejoicing in the fact she misses the cut off and he is moving on to kindergarten in another school district. Anyhow, back to the story. As we pulled out of the parking lot she proceeded to tell me she was going to Marry him when she grows up. Trying to keep cool, I asked her why. Bella then said without pause, "Because he is a handsome man Mom". I almost drove off the rode when she followed with, "He is mean to everyone but me because he loves me". I think I started saying the rosary. I turned up Radio Disney and took a deep breath.
And my blog entry continues. Same day different hour. I was in my room changing my shirt and Bella walked in. She looked up and said Mommy you have really big hips. I said with hesitation, "Those are not hips Bella, they are called breasts". She said, "Well I don't want those mommy. Anyway I already have breasts on my bottom. I told her those weren't breasts they were buttocks. What was I supposed to say? Dear Lord, What will come up with next?

Happy 2nd Birthday Dean!

Today Dean turned 2.
I thought I was past the sentimental pause I use to experience during Bella's first birthdays, but this one has turned me to mush. With Dean it is going so fast. Although he still won't let me out of his sight without calling Mama & seeking me out, gone are the days when he will put his head on my shoulder and rock until I call it quits. He is off & running in this race we call life & loving every minute of it. We had a wonderful party last night with his Uncle Brian, PPaw, GeGe, parents and sister. Per Bella's suggestion we made him a dumptruck cake & he loved it. Unlike his first birthday when he considered icing messy and wanted no part of it, this year he "understood" the beauty of the experience. He appreciated & played with each toy he got, his bike, soccor ball, matchbox cars, books & sock monkey, train & bathtub basketball net from his sister. He doesn't say much, but his smile and simple YEAH is worth a thousand words.

Here is something I noted a month ago that I am including in this entry, just because.
3-9-09
When changing Dean’s diaper today together we were humming twinkle, twinkle little star as we often do. He isn’t a talker like his sister, not yet anyway, so it pleases us both to be in sync sometimes singing the word mama over and over. I couldn’t help but think of the party we went to Saturday night. Our friends Sasha and Abe are moving to Australia and Abe’s mom flew in from Texas for the going away party. At the end of a wonderful night, she and Abe started singing together, in spanish a beautiful tune that brought tears. Tears of joy, of pride, and slight sadness for her son moving so far away with her grandson & one on the way. I couldn’t help but see how quickly the years can go by. One month from today Dean will turn two. These last two years have flown by and brought so much happiness. I can still remember like it was yesterday his birth, like Bella’s. He was so late coming into this world (10 days), but so fast (2 hours). He had a rough start when he was born, but has been a quick learner ever since. Show him something once and he get’s it. He is very silly, neat and a good listener. He is sensitive, independent and creative. He loves to paint & swim like his mom and is fearless like his dad. He is a typical boy rough & tough, into balls and trucks, anything with a motor...so opposite of his girly sister. Dean was a good baby & now is the best sleeper (another recipient of the Yates sleep gene). As he enters the terrible toddler stage (be it 2 or 3) even his tantrums are easier...maybe shorter is the correct word. He doesn’t scream or carry on like his sibling, he just lays down on the floor and pouts. He will throw something to make a point, but then he moves on. He is my little handsome sweet boy, so cute I can’t stand it! I am so blessed to have one of each, so different, but equally special. I don’t know yet what his birthday cake will be, Bella suggested a dumptruck.....why not a dumptruck?