4 Paones

I missed wishing the two special guys in my life a happy birthday. Jude and Justin both had their birthdays in October, although we are waiting to celebrate them until Justin joins us.

Jude had a practice run in Austin since “babay take”  is his favorite thing in the world. He learned to blow out candles and is now quite a pro. He’s ready for the real thing now.

I love you both  so very much and just know that my life would be way too dull (and quiet) without you both in it.  Happy birthday to my sweeties!

I love all the cute things my little guys say and I know I’ll forget every last one of them given a few years. A friend of mine had the foresight to keep a little notebook on hand to catch those special phrases of her little ones. Her kids would roll their eyes as she read them to us though which made me think our kids don’t quite get the same kick out of our cherished memories.  So, here’s my recording of one of my cherished memories from today

I’m putting the kids to sleep today and Violet tells me (after she’s told me 2 or 3 stories, including the one about her babyhood since — in her words — she was much cuter than her brother), “You know why I’m talking so much tonight? It’s because I had orange juice tonight. Orange juice always makes me talk a lot.” Heh. Okay, so that’s probably just cute to me, but I just love the ways she thinks. Her reasoning is just so cute and off beat.

And then Jude’s cuteness right now is his variation of all his new words. He’s loving the power to get what he wants quicker now that his vocabulary is increasing. Of course, this usually revolves around which video he wants to watch or what food to feed him. Ugh! His favorite show is…– see if you can guess… “Peen Pamper” and his favorite food is “Pampi’s”.

He actually had his first full phone conversation the other day. It went like this, “Hello! Bo! Bo bo veo. Bye!” (with a wave).  Bo is the Incredibles video and Lord knows that every phone conversation with daddy for the past 3 months has centered around discussing The Incredibles.

So there, I’ve recorded some of their cuteness in my “little notebook”.  No complaining, Jude and Violet.

I had a sentimental “mommy awakening” moment today after the park. My idea of park time with the kids is that it’s a great time to catch up with my friends on the phone. I figure the kids are occupied so as I follow them around and keep my eye on them, I’ll get on the phone and spend the hour chatting with my friends or family. After getting home today though, the thought hit me that I couldn’t remember our time together. I had tuned the kids out and had missed the chance to partake in a little fun and memory making with my little rascals. Ugh! Realizations like this make me feel like such a lousy mom. Reminder to self — from now on leave the cell phone in the car on outings and get busy making memories with these kids who are growing up way too fast.

I learn something new every day about my little boy and how different he is from my sweet little girl. Yesterday he discovered our little ukelele. He ran around the house bouncing and dancing while he strummed the guitar. It was so cute and I was admiring my cute little musician when he lifted the guitar over his head and proceeded to smash the guitar on the ground. I guess I need to be ready to take the good with the bad when it comes to his musical side.

Violet is loving being close to her cousins. She’s had a few play dates with Liliana, Rosie’s daughter, and now she’s even had a sleepover with her other cousin, Georgia. She doesn’t ask me to move back closer to her other friends every day anymore. That’s a good sign.

The kids got to enjoy Chucky Cheese for the first time and were in heaven. Next stop, 7 Acre Woods for Drake and Isma’s birthday. Kids these days are spoiled by fun places to go to. Where were all these places when I was growing up.

Justin’s out of town on a job. We miss him. It was supposed to be 3 months, but now it’s looking like it’ll be a little longer. At least we get to see him here and there, but I am so ready to have a husband and daddy for the kids around again — not that I was ever not ready, but I am done with this single motherhood business!

In the meantime, we are moving and helping my parents move out of their old house. It’s been a fun experience. So much to do and so little time. The new house is great though compared to the old place and we are enjoying decorating, setting up and seeing all the potential that getting a new place brings. At least all my siblings are all coming home at the same time. Alex and Renee are here now, May and Tim just moved home. Now… Titus and Mia? And Jason… he decided to be the rebel and move away right about now. He’s ready to see the world and make his mark in the world, and then he’ll be home. Right, Jason?

I am quickly falling in love with my new found independence since discovering my phone GPS .  No more paper directions for me! Woohoo!

It’s been a busy month and it’s only the 19th. Justin came for a weekend and then had to get back to work. My sister, Renee and her husband, Alex, returned from the mission field. My other sister, Maya, and her family move to Houston on the 23rd. We are having mini family reunions every time we turn around.  So much catching up to do, although you’d wonder why in this age of constant connectivity, free wi-fi, unlimited cell phone minutes and Facebook. I think my answer to that would be that there is too much to keep up with that I short circuit. Ugh! Back to the simple life.

The kids are enjoying the last days of the pool here. Jude just loves the water and he has learned (sorta) to swim short distances underwater and to blow bubbles. Violet’s still taking swimming lessons and learning to be a pro 4 year old swimmer.

Nothing else real  new to report on this end except the quest for the perfect place to live I see echoed on everyone’s Facebook status updates these days. Between my friends and me, we should single handedly be responsible for picking up the housing market — at least the rental market. Heh.

I was treated to a 6:00 a.m. game of baby charades today. Jude crawls out of bed this morning and immediately starts with “Bo! Bo! Bo!” as loudly as possible.  I pry my eyes open and try to understand what he needs so desperately, but I just really don’t get it. He realizes he need to be more specific, so now it’s “Deedo! Deedo! Bo! Bo! Bo!” This dense mamma is still clueless, so he finally goes over to the bookshelf and gets the “Incredibles Video” off the shelf.  Arg! (And no, I don’t let my kids watch videos at that ungodly hour. And also don’t usually let my 1 & 1/2 year old watch videos like Incredibles. Double Arg!) These times of wild, craziness will settle down soon and standards will go back up, Jude and Violet.

Violet’s gotten really into this science book explaining the Human Body.  We got to the page with a big diagram of the human heart and she asks… “Mom, so where does Jesus live in this heart?” I thought of how to explain that one, but then simply pointed to one of the compartments and said, “Probably right here in this little blue room.” Heh. What are you going to say to a 4 year old?

We love you, Justin, and miss you already! Jude and Violet send their love and Jude sends one of his signature screams (or two).  Happy Father’s Day!

And dad, happy father’s day to you too. It’s been fun getting a chance to work with you again. May this year bring many exciting twists and turns and (Lord willing) goals accomplished! Yeehaw!

It’s been a long week, but I’m sitting here at my parent’s house with Jude napping, so I thought I’d catch up my  blog.

We ended up taking almost a whole week to make it to Texas, but we enjoyed the trip, so it was worth it. We met up with Sam and Maria and co. in Las Vegas. I had no idea how cheap hotels there are if you go during the week. The kids were in awe at all the flash and dash of the place. We went out walking one night and stopped in at a few hotels. Treasure Island and Bellagio with the dancing fountains were awesome, but the…. Venetian. Ah, I was wowed with that place. You feel like you’re walking down the canal in Venice headed to St. Marco’s square. It’s got the canal, gondolas, singers, shops, bridges and the village houses that are above the shops. I’ll have to post some pictures although I doubt they would do it justice.

We watched a show or two, and Justin, Sam and Maria and I all spent a few minutes down in the casino. Maria was the only one who came out ahead on the black jack table. I think the attraction the kids loved best was… the hotel room? Yep, these kids are easy to please. Bouncing on hotel beds… first rate entertainment. Jude also learned a new word… “TV”.

We tried to swing the Grand Canyon, but it ended up being very uninviting weather wise, which is surprizing for this time of year. It was freezing with cold wind and then finally rained and sleeted. We high tailed it out of there and got back on the road. We were just so thankful we hadn’t tried to pull off camping there the night before. That would have been a very chilly nightmare.

Anyways, we are here now and are settling in. Justin just took off for Chicago this morning for the new job. Weep. We miss him already. I hope it won’t be the full 3 months before we see him again. Somehow it doesn’t feel as far as California was, but I know it’s a long haul. We’ll be counting the days.

I am house hunting, car hunting, unpacking me and the kids, packing my husband, trying to help two kids adjust, and doing a million things at once. Being here feels like the ultimate test for a multi-tasker. So many goals, so little time. I need to pace myself, I think. Ah, well….