Visits & Crazies

As our lives settle into more of a routine ( and I simultaneously prepare to juggle things again by heading back to work and hiring a nanny) we are able to not lose our footing for minor changes here and there. During the past two weeks that minor change was visitors- first a visit from Cha Cha, closely followed by a week long stay of my sister Andrea (know to Collin as Aunt Andy- said mushed together as one word and without the last Y syllable "Antand") and rounded out by a quick visit from Lori who glided in and out of Minnesota before we could say "Bemidji".

It was great to see everyone, except for now that I'm sans a pair of extra hands. This week was an adjustment getting used to doing everything alone all over again. But, the visits were well worth it as I got to catch up with my sister and she got to enjoy the boys, all to herself. As you can see, she spent lots of time chasing them around and then taking naps :)

Around here the winter is really starting to get to us, and it shows. Collin's toddler-terrible-twos (more like mischevious, crazy twos if you ask me) are here , and when he's cooped up inside all day we border on needing an intervention that looks something like running laps around the nearest track crossed with reinforcement of using the word "yes" or "okay", and rounded out with a stint of following directions. Today we were plagued with "no momma!"s such as:

Momma: Collin' do you have to go potty?

Collin looks straight into my eyes: "No momma!"

Collin proceeds to stand in the kitchen and pee his pants.

or

Momma: Collin do you want some milk with breakfast?

Collin: "No Momma!" (emphatically)

Collin: (immediately following "No Momma!") "Momma, milk, pwease. PWEASE!"

We've also gotten into a bout of "runaways", for example,

Momma: "Collin are you done going potty?" (as he's sitting on the potty)

Collin: "All done!"

Momma: "okay, lets clean up and wash hands"

Collin: "Runaway momma!" Collin proceeds to run away, streaking through the house to one of his favorite hiding spots, behind our living room couch, which happens to be located right in front of the picture window, facing the street and front yard. Go ahead, drive by, you'll get a nice view of his full moon if you wait long enough.

or

Momma: "Clean up time, Collin" ( I start to sing the clean up song)

Collin" k-ween up, k-ween up, runaway!!!" (Collin resists even picking up one toy and runs off to one of his favorite hiding places, this time between Owen's book shelf and the wall).

Yes, its true. Toddlerhood has arrived in full force. Autonomy, independence and mischief rolled into one super-high energy little boy. Combined with being caged like a small animal its making us all a little crazy.

Can I just put him outside now????

Seriously, spring, where are you?

I'm dying over here.

Not really, but you get the idea. This little boy is ALL BOY and I'm sure that Owen will be the same. But currently, Owen is my precious little cuddler, which I hope he stays, FOREVER.

P.S. I've been up since 5:30 am. How about you?

P.S.S. Owen was up at 11, 2:45 and 5 am too, so that means I was also up then, for a total of maybe 5 hours of sleep or so?This is our life. Everyday.

My eyes are burning as I write this, so I'm going to close for now.

The post that is, not my eyes, because its getting close to time for dinner, so I better whip something up.

until we meet again....