Luke cuts teeth. Our adventure to Iowa, Part 3

The Monday after we got to the farm, my Mom took the day off of work and we took the kids up to Storm Lake to visit my Grandma, run a few errands and have lunch. And as I was standing in the toy department of one of the stores, trying to reason with my Mom in that Taylor didn’t need ANOTHER Princess doll, Luke started fussing in the Bjorn and I patted myself down and realized I hadn’t brought any pacifiers in with us. So I just stuck my thumb into his mouth for him to suck on and felt something sharp. Something NOT just newborn baby gums sinking into me. Um. WHA?!

And because he was facing away from me and I couldn’t see into his mouth, I stopped trying to block Taylor’s Princess prize and asked my Mom, Hey, look in Luke’s mouth. Are there teeth in there? And she did a little face-to-face investigating and chirped back, YES! He has TWO teeth! And instead of being all, Yea! My son cut his first tooth! I was all, Seriously? SERIOUSLY! Luke! You’ve got to be kidding me! And then I stomped off to the baby aisle to load up on numbing meds.

And here’s why I wasn’t super thrilled about his teeth coming in. Well, two reasons really. One, Taylor’s teething process was an absolute nightmare. She was constantly fussing and crying and irritable. Her nose would run, her diapers would be awful and I would lay down each night with twinges of guilt for double-dosing her with Tylenol just to get a good night’s sleep. And reason number Two that I was slightly annoyed was because my little man was already an aggressive eater as it was. Adding sharpness to it didn’t sound like a lot of fun for me and my body.

And when I called Chris to inform him that his son was one step closer to sharing a steak with him, he gushed and said, Wow. He’s WAY tougher than Taylor was when she was teething! She cried for a whole month leading up to her first tooth. And he was right! Taylor was so fussy while she was prepping those pearly whites to pop, that it was almost more painful waiting for them then when she actually got the teeth. I think I was dosing myself with painkillers as much as she was.

But Luke hadn’t been fussy or at all out-of-sorts in the days before I found those two little prickers. In fact, I had just flown across the country with him strapped to my chest, and he had made zero fuss and had been overall easy throughout our entire journey. And then he just wakes up one morning with teeth. I am starting to feel better and better about our second go-round with teething. Hopefully he makes potty training a much better experience too.

Taylor finds Nemo. Our adventure to Iowa, Part 2

Immediately after pulling up the lane to the farm and giving my Dad a big bear hug, Taylor started poking around my parent’s house trying to find new trinkets and treasures that would be occupying her time while we were there. And just like a mouse to cheese, she spied and gravitated right towards a hot pink Barbie fishing pole that her Papa had bought especially for her and stored right in the entryway. And even though she had never fished before, she snatched it up and held onto to it for the next few hours and said, When we gonna go fishing?

So the next morning we woke up to soggy, dreary weather, which delayed our fishing excursion until the afternoon. But even though we couldn’t get outside and to Taylor Lake to drop a few bobbers, the Princess and her Papa practiced her cast and reel inside the house, as at the end of her Barbie pole was attached a sparkly, rubbery fish. And Taylor would grab the fake fish and run and drop it in one of the rooms in the downstairs, skip back to my Dad anchored in his armchair and together they would reel in their catch to the center of the family room, all while my Dad would scream, Here it comes! Here it comes! Pull it in! Pull it in!

It was adorable. So I knew that when the rain finally stopped and we were able to walk down to the dock and drop in her first worm, her first catch was going to be pretty awesome. And it was.

And because my Dad stocked Taylor Lake full of Blue Gills, each time his granddaughter cast her line she got a bite within minutes. Which was smart, because a three year old’s attention spans only last about that long.

So Taylor caught and freed at least four fish before she was done with fishing for the day. And while Chris was super bummed that he missed her first catch, he was happy to watch the video and the adjoining images that I captured during the big event. And I’m sure that it won’t be the last time the Princess fishes. Especially as long as they keep making hot pink fishing poles.

Leaving. On a jet plane. Our adventure to Iowa, Part 1

So about two months ago my Mom called and asked if there was any way I could fly back to Iowa with both the kids before the summer was over. Chris was busy at work, and the only way I could get back before Fall would be to make the trip just me and the bambinos. And I clearly remember the day she asked, because it was following one of those weeks where I felt like I couldn’t even successfully transport my kids from the front door to the car without a major catastrophe. And my response to my Mom was all, Um. NO! Flying by myself with two kids across the country sounds more painful than pushing another nearly-ten pound baby out of my body. Thanks, but no thanks.

But then I had three successful days of parenting in a row, and when my Mom brought it up again, I didn’t make gagging noises or pretend like someone was stabbing me, so she gently offered a few words of encouragement and then told me, You know, Brooke. I totally flew by myself with you kids when you were six, Libba was three and Will was only four months old. If I can do it with three, you can totally do it with two. And since I’m apparently a masochist and up for a challenge, I replied, Well... OKAY! Let’s do this.

So leading up to our big plane ride, I started telling Taylor all about the fabulous trip we were going to take to her Papa and Yaya’s farm in Iowa, and how we would get to ride in an airplane to get there. And how, just as a super special treat, she would get to chew bubblegum in the plane. And, y’all, she was so excited her head almost popped off. Papa and Yaya! Farm! Airplane! GUM! There was enough anticipation surging through her three year old body that on the morning of the big trip she came running into our room squealing, Today? TODAY? Do I get to go on the plane to Yaya’s farm today?

And after Chris helped us check our bags, gave me a pep talk and watched as I navigated through airport security without any real hiccups, we preboarded the plane and I got all settled in for our first flight to Detroit. The portable-DVD player was charged and ready to play Cinderella, Luke was comfortably snoozing in the Ergo and I lined the backs of the seats in front of us with coloring books, snacks and, of course, the bubblegum Taylor had picked out at the grocery store a few days before: Strawberry Shortcake flavored Extra-brand gum.

And while hyping the whole You-can-chew-gum angle definitely helped get her excited for the flight, we really should have PRACTICED chewing it. Which I didn’t even think about – Because she swallowed eight – EIGHT! – sticks of the sugary goodness before they even shut the cabin doors. And each time she crammed a new piece in her mouth, I would lock eyes with her and say, Now, Honey, DON’T SWALLOW IT! Chew it! Like this. And I would smack my mouth open and closed so dramatically that my cheeks started to cramp. And she would chew hers too, until I would get distracted and look the other way. And then she’d look at me and say, I need another piece, Mama.

So needless to say, after we landed in Detroit, wiggled our way out of the plane, got out into the concourse and she looked at me and whined, My belly hurts, I need to go potty! I grabbed her hand and we sprinted to the nearest family bathroom, which allowed plenty of room for me to help her get onto the toilet while balancing my 20-pound infant in the carrier in front of me. And as if that wasn’t enough of a fiasco, the toilet-flushing sensors kept failing to pick up Taylor’s little body on the potty and kept automatically flushing at super-sonic force while she was trying to get rid of her bubblegum-gut rot, causing her to shriek and scream and jump off the seat with each flush. It was an absolute dumpster fire.

And once we settled that situation with a $5 Pepto tab bought at the airport newstand, found our gate and got our seat-assignment readjusted, I called my Mom and said, So I know you’re running a few errands in Omaha before you pick us up, so can you please get me a giant beer and have it waiting in the car? Because Mama needs a drink! And her response was, Do you want me to bring it into the airport so you can have it right when you get off the plane? And I was all, That might be a bit overboard. I think I’ll be able to wait until we get into the car. Maybe.

But our flight from Detroit to Omaha was actually quite lovely, in that both kids simultaneously snoozed for about an hour, allowing me to stop sweating for a bit, quietly munch some airplane pretzels and pick out my holiday wish list in the Sky Mall magazine. And then we landed, found my Mom waiting for us, got our luggage and got in the car to make our two-hour drive to the farm. And, as promised, I was able to stop and get an enormous can of Bud Light in Harlan to sip on the way back home. Yeah, who am I kidding? I drank that beer so fast. You would have been impressed.

And then we arrived at the farm. And thus began an awesome, fun-filled vacation filled with lots of quality time spent with family, friends and the place where I grew up. And I shall tell you all about it. Stay tuned.

In which Taylor starts preschool and I feel like someone is pulling my heart out of my chest

When I decided to sign Taylor up for preschool this past February, it seemed like the logical decision with a baby on the way and with her turning three. All of her little friends were already in some sort of a preschool program, and I had heard wonderful things about North Asheville Preschool. So when we were accepted for the following school year, I was ecstatic. And so was Taylor. And every time we drove past NAP this summer on our way to the pool, I would slow down and say, Hey Taylor, What's that? And she would squeal back, MY SCHOOL!

And then a few weeks ago we got a note in the mail from NAP saying that Taylor was in Miss Kim's class this year, and that the beginning of the year was starting at the end of the month. And, Oh my goodness!, we were so excited. We bought a lunchbox and a backpack, and took a big black Sharpie marker and inscribed Taylor Amys on everything that she would be taking to school. We went to the NAP open house on Wednesday morning and met Miss Kim and looked around her classroom. And as we were walking out of the school and I asked her what she thought, she said, This place is way more awesome than the Y. And that made me smile, because I know how much she loves playing with her friends at the gym's childwatch. So we left feeling good, and feeling ready for the big day.

And TODAY was the big day. The first day of preschool.

And while we were physically all ready to roll this morning, I felt like there was a lump in my throat the entire time we were gathering and moving ourselves into the car. And I totally poured two enormous cups of coffee down my throat before we left and was too nervous to eat breakfast, so I was a hot mess once we actually got to the school. Luckily my little student was calm and collected.

And once we got up to her classroom and I shakily unloaded all of Taylor's gear over to Miss Kim, I watched as my amazing daughter checked out her new space and got right to work playing with a dress-up doll toy.

And then it was time to say, Goodbye. And, with Luke attached to me in the Ergo, I leaned down and said, Honey, Mom and Luke have to go now, but we'll be back in few hours to pick you up. Have so much fun! I LOVE YOU! And, y'all, I managed to say all of this WITHOUT crying. So when she threw her arms around my neck and said, Buh-bye, Mom, I kissed her head, got up and backed out of the room. And she didn't even look up to see if I was gone. She was fine.

And I managed to get down the hall and out the door and put my sunglasses on before my eyes started to tear up. And every familiar face I passed must have recognized my pain, because I got lots of hugs and words of encouragement. First days are tough. But she'll be just fine. And I thanked everyone for talking me off the ledge, got Luke into his car seat and drove home, calling Chris on the way to let him know how awesome Taylor did.

And when I got home, I put Luke down for his nap and went right into packing-for-a-trip mode, doing laundry, sorting clothes and making lists of what not to forget for tomorrow's flight back to the farm. And after Luke woke up and I fed and played with him for a bit, it was already time to go back and get her. And while even though NAP offers to bring your child to your car, Luke and I went in to get her. And as I was walking in, Miss Kim stopped me and said how great she did on her first day, and then I saw her, and it was almost like she had grown in the four hours she was there, as all the sudden this not-my-little-baby-Taylor came running up to me, smiling and sweaty from recess, so excited to tell me all about everything.

And after getting the run down of what she did, who she played with and all the new nameless friends she made, I asked her, So. Do you want to go back? And she responded, YES MOM! immediately. And I love that. And I am so proud of her.

Four months old

Today the happiest baby in the world turns four months old.

Yep, my newborn Luke is no longer an infant... He’s a full-on little man. I mean, when you’re born at nearly ten pounds you’ve never been itty-bitty, but he’s gotten so big that I’ve already packed away any and all clothes sized for children less than six-to-nine months of age. And he is now in size-three diapers, which are technically called Cruisers, because they’re meant for kids who are old enough to crawl and walk. Which at the rapid rate he’s moving up the growth chart, he might start doing next week.

He actually IS on the move, technically, as he started scooting and rolling over this past month. And just like the first time Taylor rolled over, I missed Luke’s very first roll. I put Mr Man down on the carpet in the nursery so I could braid Miss T’s hair before we went to the gym, and when I finished her do, I turned around to find Luke face down on the floor, wiggling his body like a snake and attempting to lift his giant noggin and letting out grunts and moans that I could only guess are baby-talk for, HOW DID I GET THIS WAY?! SOMEONE TURN ME AROUND SO I CAN STOP EATING THE CARPET!

But now he’s got the hang of it, and Chris even spied him rolling from his back to his tummy and then back onto his back the other day as he was playing in his mobile gym. Man, he LOVES that mobile gym! I don’t remember Taylor having nearly as much fun in it as he is having, grabbing for the dangling rattles and spinnies, staring up at the lights and hanging butterflies, squealing in delight and kicking and swinging his arms and legs with excitement. It’s fantastic. And it gives me a place to plop him down and preoccupy him while I’m chasing Taylor around the house trying to calm all of her craziness.

And speaking of his high-strung big sister, she is still totally obsessed with her, Yukey. And the other morning both of my children were laying on my bed, when I turned my back for a moment and heard Taylor squealing, YUKE! Let go of my hair! And, sure enough, there was my little man with a hand full of his big sister’s mane, and I had to pry each of his chubby digits away from his catch to force him to release it. And after she was freed from his grasp, Taylor whined a bit and then shook it off. And Luke, well, the big guy just smiled and laughed and propelled his limbs in satisfaction. And it was all I could do not to crack a big grin right along with him. Because maybe next time the Princess will think twice before laying on top of him and getting in his face. Well played, Mr Luke. Well played.

So as we cross off another wonderful month on the calendar, I look ahead to the following one with great anticipation of all the milestones our family will hit in the next 30 days. Luke’s first trip to the farm, Taylor’s first day of preschool, my first time flying with two kids. Yep, we have an action-packed month in our scopes. And I could sit around, wring my hands and make lists and plans of action on how to handle all of these upcoming events, or I could take a deep breath and appreciate how fabulous and happiness-filled our lives are at this exact moment. I’ll take the latter. This is too good to miss.

Does anyone know the Princess Water Wing Fairy’s address?

So you know that big girls don’t use binkies, but do you know what else big girls don’t use?

Little prince

The other night I was nursing Luke after dinner, gazing at my little man as he would take breaks from eating to stare up at me with those big, blue eyes and smile and giggle and reach his hand up to my face. And the expression I was looking back at him with must have mirrored the amount of love that was swelling inside of me, as Chris, who was sitting across the room quietly watching my and Luke’s exchange, softly said to me, You’re never going to be able to say No to him, are you? And without even breaking my gaze from my son, I answered back, Not a chance.