From our honeymoon. I think this is where I'm supposed to say, "We were so young!" But, I haven't grown up yet, so I still feel this young (and hey, the dress still fits, so I'll go with it).
Easily the scariest, best days of my life. Better than graduating from law school (by far). Better than donut day. Even better than the honeymoon.
These are the best of the "for betters." Most days. Every day. Even the ones where they fight and fight and fight.
In the big painting of our world, we really just haven't had much of the "for worse." Our "for worses" tend heavily toward doubts about our respective jobs, worry over things we can't control, and other intangible, easily ignored problems.
Last week was an exception and the reason I've been offline for more than a week. It had been lurking in the crevices of their lunch boxes, trying to sneak into the house by way of nap mats and backpacks, and, finally, it found a way in: the stomach flu. GiGi and I got hit hard.
I was sick. GiGi gave new meaning to the phrase "projectile vomiting." And poor daddy was wishing for his pretty bride in her pretty sundress instead of what awaited him after a late-night Gatorade run: a wrung out, sobbing wife barfing on the bed with a wrung out, sobbing daughter close beside. We were a mess. But, as far as "for worse" goes, it wasn't so bad. A hiccup (a few belches and heaves too) on our little road.
It all bad. I spent more than my usual time with my best-of-the-for-betters. I learned a few things about them, and I'd like to think I taught them a few things too.
GiGi is using whole sentences in her toddler way. She can tell me, "Up please!" (Up-Pwee, Up-Pwee!). She is absolutely addicted to the "Your Baby Can Read" videos--in particular the "Happy" (Appy!) song: If You're Happy and You Know It.
She's learned to climb. On the fireplace. Sorry, Poppy, I'm doing my best to keep her down.
One of the perks (or detriments, depending on how you spin it) of working part time is the ability to do conference calls from home. This is what happens when you do a conference call from home when the toddler is awake and busy. Better the Ziplocs than the pots and pans--much quieter.
This is what happens on day three of being home bound. The toddler starts trying to see where her bottom will and won't fit.
This happens too, because a tired, cranky mommy finds ways to entertain herself. Toddler ponytails are entertaining.
RJ actually went to school two days last week before the bug bit him too. On Tuesday, he tested Mommy's limits and lost:
RJ: "I want to watch "Ma Machines" (Mighty Machines) when we get home."
Mommy: "No, it's snacks then naps."
RJ: "You're no fun! I like TV better than you!"
Mommy: "You've lost George (Curious George) until Saturday. If you smart off again, I'll pull over and spank you on the side of the road."
RJ: "You can't do that. It's too dangerous." "I don't like you. I'm gonna kill you!" (He's not evil. They play a lot of Transformers at school...but I bet you can guess how this story ends.).
Mommy pulls the Swagger Wagon over in front of the neighbor's house and swats RJ's bottom. Expecting the DHS call any day now.
The next day RJ had a touch of the stomach flu. And the next day it snowed. So, we spent a lot of time together with GiGi. The days were long, and he got creative. I figured he'd be about 14 before I had to address the issue of mooning. 14? 4? Yes, 4 seems more like it: "RJ, pull up your pants, stop mooning your sister!" RJ replies, "Mom, at this point, I think you're just exhausted." He's a smart one.
Despite feeling cruddy, he earned his trip to the treasure bin. I'm so proud!
So, apparently, this is what the stomach flu looks like with siblings. If you look closely, you can see that she's wearing one of her bubba's baby shoes. Sibling love.
The best part of the week? GiGi got a kitchen! She's a gifted chef. So far, we've made cookies, eggs, and tea. (She really does have other PJ's, and I really didn't take all of these pictures the same day. Laundry is an issue after we had to watch all of the bedding and about 25 towels. Laundry is definitely included on my list of "for worses.")
The added bonus? Bubba likes to help cook too. I hope he always helps the ladies in his life with the cooking. It makes for a lot of "for betters."
We're finally well! (and wearing the same PJ's!) RJ and GiGi both enjoyed the Daytona 500 at lunch today. In their minds, they're on the track right now.
I'm recovered, and since yesterday, I've been eating real food after days of the Oreo/saltine diet. (Whatever keeps you out of the hospital, right?). There will be no pictures of me this week. And, I think we can all be grateful for that. As for me, I'm grateful that we have many more "for betters" on our horizon even with the "for worses" that are sure to come.
P.S. To Hubby, Thanks for the Gatorade, the childcare services, and the general sanity-saving this week. Here's to many more "for betters!"
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