and today...

okay.

some might find this next post inappropriate for this blog.

however, i cannot let this opportunity to remember such a funny moment go to waste.

besides, someday i am quite certain it will come in handy when i have the need to embarrass my son.

this morning Jaxon came into the bathroom while i was getting ready. he started going potty when the conversation went something like this:

Jaxon: 'Mom, why is my pecker red right there?'
Me: 'Well, sometimes it just gets that way I guess. I'm not really sure.'

Jaxon: 'Well, yours and daddy's is not like that.'
Me: 'Well, I don't have a penis. I have a vagina. Remember? Girls have vaginas and boys have penises.'

(this is easy for me to say- i taught sex ed to a bunch of teens in south minneapolis, remember?)

Jaxon: thinking... 'oh. yeah. well i wish i was a girl so i could have a vagina. did you know brianna has a hole in her butt?'
Me: 'yes, and you do too. everyone does (right?). that's how you poop.'

Jaxon: 'no, it's a different hole, in her other butt.'
Me: thinking... thinking... 'okay jaxon, let's wash your hands and go watch a show.'

Me: i need to go to barnes and nobles and find a book about body parts...

the other day

The other day, I was on my way to pick up the kids and I had that slight little panic attack again.

It's five o'clock.

It's a Thursday night, so Scott won't be home till 8:30 or 9...

I have nothing planned for the kids to do and really don't feel like going to Lookout Ridge, the mall, or anywhere to eat.

I have nothing in mind for dinner.

Oh. My. God.

What if they didn't take a nap? What if they're super crabby and raising hell again? What if Jaxon got into three timeouts at daycare and needs a lecture about not pushing the girls off the couch when they kiss him?

What if Kiley is sick again or just fiesty about something?

You don't know this, but every once in awhile, when I know I'm on my own for the night, there is a slight bit of panic. For all the reasons above.

Because if there is ever the perfect storm, we wind up with a not so happy mommy and very grumpy kids.

The other day though, I was pleasantly surprised.

The kids had both napped well during the day. There were no fights or poor reports from Nancy. Kiley was happy to put her hat on and grabbed her boots right away when I got there. Jaxon gave me a hug and kiss and got dressed to go home. He didn't whine and ask where we were going or throw a fit because we weren't going to play somewhere.

It was almost too good to be true.

And then...

It got better.

We got home and this is what happened. 

Kiley sat down at her table and started playing with her play-doh. She made a big mess, but I don't think I heard her make a peep for at least a half hour. Long enough for me to throw together dinner.

And Jaxon grabbed the Tailor Swift DVD and popped it in. He found himself a comfy spot on the couch and coveted his own down time by himself. I didn't argue.

Then at dinner time, he showed off his independence and buttered his own bread. Of course, he also added at least seven squirts of jelly. Hey, we'll take those calories when we can get them!

Kiley enjoyed her jellyed bread too. Jaxon even made it for her.

And then he shared his cookies with her.

And then stole them and ran away. 

I mean, seriously.

Sometimes you just know it's too good to be true. 

sweethearts



certain things...

There are certain things you must learn about before having kids.

They have parenting classes and how to care for your baby classes, and first aid classes. You read about what the birth process will be like, how long labor will last, that you should keep your baby sleeping on their backs and that you should read to them at a young age so they learn to like reading.

You learn as you go about other things.

There are certain things they don't teach you in parenting classes.

Certain things for which there are no ECFE courses or online education modules about.

Certain things no parent wants to learn about.... but nevertheless, you do. You must.

This past week we learned many new terms, things I never imagined I'd be talking about in relation to my baby.

Things like IV drips, catheters, nose swabs and blood draws, chest x-rays, oxometers and nebulizers, steroids and antibiotics... nothing a parent ever wants to learn about, and yet we did.

And it's amazing to me, how quickly we adapt. How soon we became experts in the medical terminology, the timelines and treatments, how to spot a fever, and even when exactly our kids are going to throw up so we can promptly catch it in the ever-rotating puke bowl in the room.

Thankfully, Kiley is back home with us, after a pretty exhausting couple of days. She's feeling so much better, though I can't help but think we have a very long road ahead of us... I mean, I know it could be worse and I have to just beleive that and know that we will certainly get through it.

When the doctors diagnosed Kiley with asthma, they asked what we knew about asthma. I immediately thought of the countless times asthma has sent my grandma to the ER over the years. And it made me think, I better lower my deductible next year.

Scott of course thought of the line 'Sucks to your Asthmar' from Lord of the Flies. We're not always on the same page, are we?

But, I think we both agree that this smile can light up a room and we are so happy to see it again.