A few weeks ago, I wrote about how the boys are sparking more memories about Brian's childhood. Well, they bring out memories for me too. It's amazing how 30 years can change a person's perspective!
I was putting the boys to bed one night when a memory hit me. I was rocking Lincoln for his 2 minutes, then I was going to rock Jackson. Just going through our normal nighttime routine. That night, Jackson wasn't very patient, so he started asking me questions while I rocked Lincoln.
At first I ignored him as I was trying to enjoy my time with Lincoln. But then, Jackson kept asking me the same question over and over and over. So, then I ignored him out of principle.
That was when it hit me. I remember my mom sitting and reading her books when I was a kid. We never learned to say "Excuse me Mom, can I ask you a question?". No - we just started asking, and we would keep asking over and over again thinking that would make her answer us. I used to get so mad at her....why couldn't she just answer my question?
Now I understand that she needed her own time. She needed to decompress from the day, and take just a few minutes to do something she enjoyed without having to deal with us kids.
Now, whenever I'm busy doing something and one of the boys starts in with questions, I ignore them....just like my mom did so many years ago. When I'm finished with my task, I will turn my attention to them and address their question - but on my terms. They need to learn to respect other peoples private time, and to patiently wait for my attention.
And someday, they will laugh when they do the same to their own kids!
Our Family
Thursday, May 9, 2013
May celebrations
Birthdays
• Aunt Lisa Haas turns 46 on the 6th
• Eli Hart turns 4 on the 8th
• Uncle Ralph Gels turns 69 on the 12th and Aunt Lorae Gels turns 68
• Grandma Janice Hart would have been 66 on the 17th; and Aunt Janet Gels turns 65
• cousin Taylor Zank turns 22 on the 20th
• Brian's Goddaughter Ashley turns 6 on the 21st
• Uncle Rodney Muehlfeld turns 43 on the 24th
• Alyssa Maier turns 14 on the 27th
• cousin Chad Muehlfeld turns 35 on the 29th, and Davis Brown turns 19
Anniversaries:
• Nate and Jess Wappes celebrate their 5th anniversary on the 17th
• Jay and Tracy Wagner celebrate their anniversary on the 21st
• Matt and Jennifer Schug celebrate their 17th anniversary on the 25th
• Aunt Lisa Haas turns 46 on the 6th
• Eli Hart turns 4 on the 8th
• Uncle Ralph Gels turns 69 on the 12th and Aunt Lorae Gels turns 68
• Grandma Janice Hart would have been 66 on the 17th; and Aunt Janet Gels turns 65
• cousin Taylor Zank turns 22 on the 20th
• Brian's Goddaughter Ashley turns 6 on the 21st
• Uncle Rodney Muehlfeld turns 43 on the 24th
• Alyssa Maier turns 14 on the 27th
• cousin Chad Muehlfeld turns 35 on the 29th, and Davis Brown turns 19
Anniversaries:
• Nate and Jess Wappes celebrate their 5th anniversary on the 17th
• Jay and Tracy Wagner celebrate their anniversary on the 21st
• Matt and Jennifer Schug celebrate their 17th anniversary on the 25th
Saturday naps
Saturday afternoon naps have been a challenge for us for quite a while now. Three years olds have so much energy, and they don't think they need to nap. Parents of three years olds are tired, and need three year olds to nap.
Last month, my sister Rachelle and her daughter were in town for a soccer tournament. They arrived shortly before noon, and we enjoyed a nice lunch and visit with them before they had to head off to Addison's soccer game. Since we had visitors, the boys were later getting to nap time than usual.
Brian went out to mow the lawn. I was extremely tired that day, so after I put the boys in their room for a nap, I tried to take a nap myself. I heard them singing and talking (which isn't uncommon), but let them go. It was probably about an hour later when I heard the most horrific noise - followed by both of the boys crying.
I raced down the hallway to see what had happened. Their door was closed - and LOCKED! I could hear them both crying, but couldn't get the door to open. I begged them to open the door if they were able to.
Lincoln sheepishly unlocked the door, and I peered in to find Jackson standing in the middle of the room crying. Then, I saw their big chest dresser in the corner with all the drawers pulled out leaning against the rocking chair that sits in front of it. All of the boys things that were on top of the dresser were on the floor.
I put both of the boys in Jackson's bed, and went and set the dresser back upright. I went back to the boys, checked for blood, asked if they were ok, and hugged them tight. Once I knew that they were fine, I let them have it.
It seems, they thought it would be a great idea to lock the door, pull all the drawers out on the dresser, then climb up the drawers! As they climbed higher, the weight pulled the top of the dresser over. Thankfully the rocking chair was in front of the dresser or they could have been crushed.
The incident scared the boys pretty bad, as when I told them to go sit on the couch while I went and got daddy, they did exactly what I told them to without a word.
Now, climbing up the dresser drawers has been added to the list of things we NEVER EVER DO...like skiing down slides!
Last month, my sister Rachelle and her daughter were in town for a soccer tournament. They arrived shortly before noon, and we enjoyed a nice lunch and visit with them before they had to head off to Addison's soccer game. Since we had visitors, the boys were later getting to nap time than usual.
Brian went out to mow the lawn. I was extremely tired that day, so after I put the boys in their room for a nap, I tried to take a nap myself. I heard them singing and talking (which isn't uncommon), but let them go. It was probably about an hour later when I heard the most horrific noise - followed by both of the boys crying.
I raced down the hallway to see what had happened. Their door was closed - and LOCKED! I could hear them both crying, but couldn't get the door to open. I begged them to open the door if they were able to.
Lincoln sheepishly unlocked the door, and I peered in to find Jackson standing in the middle of the room crying. Then, I saw their big chest dresser in the corner with all the drawers pulled out leaning against the rocking chair that sits in front of it. All of the boys things that were on top of the dresser were on the floor.
I put both of the boys in Jackson's bed, and went and set the dresser back upright. I went back to the boys, checked for blood, asked if they were ok, and hugged them tight. Once I knew that they were fine, I let them have it.
It seems, they thought it would be a great idea to lock the door, pull all the drawers out on the dresser, then climb up the drawers! As they climbed higher, the weight pulled the top of the dresser over. Thankfully the rocking chair was in front of the dresser or they could have been crushed.
The incident scared the boys pretty bad, as when I told them to go sit on the couch while I went and got daddy, they did exactly what I told them to without a word.
Now, climbing up the dresser drawers has been added to the list of things we NEVER EVER DO...like skiing down slides!
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
This morning....
For having a rough night with a belly ache, Jackson woke up happy as can be. Only problem was - he wanted a gator!
Where is Pawpaw when we need him?
Where is Pawpaw when we need him?
Pizza
This week is a busy one in our house. We have company coming, and we're traveling this weekend.
I was trying to be proactive, and made Tuesday night's dinner on Monday night so that I could put it in the oven and get things done when I got home from work. As usual, the best laid plans didn't go to plan.
Brian had some issues at work, and we were late getting out of work. Traffic was horrific, so it was after 6:00 before we got to daycare to get the boys. Having something that will take 30-40 minutes to heat in the oven doesn't work when you get home at 6:15.
Brian and I were discussing options for dinner when we picked the boys up. They were insistent that they wanted pizza for dinner, so we headed to a local place. They had a special on medium pizzas, so we ordered 2 twelve inch medium pizzas. Each pizza had 8 slices.
When the pizza arrived, the boys dove in. Each of them ate 3 whole pieces of pizza! Then, they brought out little dishes of ice cream for the boys, and Daddy got chocolate chip cookies. Their eyes had to be floating by the time we left the restaurant....but they were sure happy!
Bath time went fine, and the boys settled into bed. However, about 1/2 hour later, I heard Lincoln making noises. He quickly informed me he had too much for dinner and his belly hurt. I rocked him a bit which settled him down and he went to sleep.
Jackson however decided to wait until 11:45 to cause trouble. We were up most of the night (till almost 3:00) because his belly was too full!
I think next time we'll stop after 2 pieces of pizza!
I was trying to be proactive, and made Tuesday night's dinner on Monday night so that I could put it in the oven and get things done when I got home from work. As usual, the best laid plans didn't go to plan.
Brian had some issues at work, and we were late getting out of work. Traffic was horrific, so it was after 6:00 before we got to daycare to get the boys. Having something that will take 30-40 minutes to heat in the oven doesn't work when you get home at 6:15.
Brian and I were discussing options for dinner when we picked the boys up. They were insistent that they wanted pizza for dinner, so we headed to a local place. They had a special on medium pizzas, so we ordered 2 twelve inch medium pizzas. Each pizza had 8 slices.
When the pizza arrived, the boys dove in. Each of them ate 3 whole pieces of pizza! Then, they brought out little dishes of ice cream for the boys, and Daddy got chocolate chip cookies. Their eyes had to be floating by the time we left the restaurant....but they were sure happy!
Bath time went fine, and the boys settled into bed. However, about 1/2 hour later, I heard Lincoln making noises. He quickly informed me he had too much for dinner and his belly hurt. I rocked him a bit which settled him down and he went to sleep.
Jackson however decided to wait until 11:45 to cause trouble. We were up most of the night (till almost 3:00) because his belly was too full!
I think next time we'll stop after 2 pieces of pizza!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Silly boys....
Most of the time, I'm really happy to be the mom of 2 healthy, active little boys. So many people tell me that rough housing boys are better than the drama that comes with little girls.
But as the boys are getting older, this mom feels left out.
The other day, I tried playing cars with Lincoln, but he is used to playing cars with Daddy. Daddy is more creative talking about going to the diner for lunch, and getting donuts at the grocery store. Even Brian told me I wasn't doing it right.
Last night after bath, the boys were good so they got to color for their "fun time". Jackson was drawing letters and telling me what they were, but once Brian picked up a crayon, Mommy didn't exist. The boys were fighting trying to help Daddy color his picture.
Now, they are creating their own little secret phrases.
But as the boys are getting older, this mom feels left out.
The other day, I tried playing cars with Lincoln, but he is used to playing cars with Daddy. Daddy is more creative talking about going to the diner for lunch, and getting donuts at the grocery store. Even Brian told me I wasn't doing it right.
Last night after bath, the boys were good so they got to color for their "fun time". Jackson was drawing letters and telling me what they were, but once Brian picked up a crayon, Mommy didn't exist. The boys were fighting trying to help Daddy color his picture.
Now, they are creating their own little secret phrases.
- I was putting Lincoln to bed the other night, and I straightened his pillow. He very quickly gave me the business, insisting he wanted it like a rectangle! Luckily, I turned his pillow just right to accomodate his request.
- There is something else about blueberries that they talk about at night - I still haven't figured that one out, but it makes both the boys laugh and laugh!
- And this morning on the way to daycare, we were talking about letters and animals, and Jackson asked Brian what a dog says. Brian barked like a dog - and the barking and laughing continued for the whole 10 minute drive!
Reflecting....
I met Brian just over 11 years ago. We worked together for 5 months before we really talked or interacted much. But once we went on our first date, it was all history.
Brian was in his early 20's when his dad passed away. For most of our dating relationship, I didn't really know much about his dad. Brian talked about time he spent with his Grandma Hart, but didn't really talk about his memories of his dad often. When I would ask him about his dad, he would laugh and say he has a bad memory, and I partially felt like maybe it was too painful for Brian to talk about.
Over the years, I've heard different stories about Joe from Uncle John and I've learned a lot from visits with cousin Steve too. From those interactions, I have come to realize that Brian just needs some prompting to remember things about his dad - which was something I didn't think I could do.
However, I was wrong. I gave Brian the biggest prompt possible - 2 little guys. Each day of interacting with Lincoln and Jackson brings more childhood memories for Brian. He talks about his dad and growing up more now than he ever has.
This has been the greatest gift imaginable. Although I never had the pleasure to meet Joe, I feel like I know him. I see him almost every day, when my husband plays with our sons. His interests and passions were instilled in Brian, and Brian is now passing those traditions down to our boys. We listen to the Reds on the radio, watch the games on TV, and are looking forward to taking the boys to many games in the future. The boys also love being outdoors and helping daddy do yard work. They are definitely country boys!
So, thank you God for blessing us with these amazing little boys. Although they will never know Grandma and Grandpa Hart personally, they are helping to keep their memories alive for Brian forever.
Brian was in his early 20's when his dad passed away. For most of our dating relationship, I didn't really know much about his dad. Brian talked about time he spent with his Grandma Hart, but didn't really talk about his memories of his dad often. When I would ask him about his dad, he would laugh and say he has a bad memory, and I partially felt like maybe it was too painful for Brian to talk about.
Over the years, I've heard different stories about Joe from Uncle John and I've learned a lot from visits with cousin Steve too. From those interactions, I have come to realize that Brian just needs some prompting to remember things about his dad - which was something I didn't think I could do.
However, I was wrong. I gave Brian the biggest prompt possible - 2 little guys. Each day of interacting with Lincoln and Jackson brings more childhood memories for Brian. He talks about his dad and growing up more now than he ever has.
This has been the greatest gift imaginable. Although I never had the pleasure to meet Joe, I feel like I know him. I see him almost every day, when my husband plays with our sons. His interests and passions were instilled in Brian, and Brian is now passing those traditions down to our boys. We listen to the Reds on the radio, watch the games on TV, and are looking forward to taking the boys to many games in the future. The boys also love being outdoors and helping daddy do yard work. They are definitely country boys!
So, thank you God for blessing us with these amazing little boys. Although they will never know Grandma and Grandpa Hart personally, they are helping to keep their memories alive for Brian forever.
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