Well, That Was a Freebie

A few days before Memorial Day, we picked up a box of hand-me-downs from a friend. On top were four pairs of big girl underpants. A couple had Dora, a couple had Disney princesses. Cordelia doesn't know who any of these feminist icons are, but she knew one thing for certain: "I want to wear them. I want to wear big girl underpants!"

I sighed inwardly. And outwardly. Potty training? Now? I just figured when she was older, she's just decide, and then do it, much the way Cody did. I got off so easy with him -- there was no "training" per se. He just did it. I was dreading weeks of not being able to leave the house for more than 20 minutes, endless accidents, and all the horror stories I've heard. Then again, I didn't want to discourage her if she really were interested. (Though I admit I tried to discourage her, but she was adamant.) So we gave it a shot.

Two days later, we were...well, done. After the first day, during she memorably announced, "I think I have to tinkle!" as she was, in fact, tinkling (on me), she hasn't had an accident. She loves her underwear and won't even wear pull-ups in the car. So I was half right: she just decided, and then did -- in much the same way she rolled over, crawled, walked, etc. No practice, just sheer will. (It's going to be awesome when she's a teenager.) I just didn't expect it so early. Personally, I think it had more to do with the M&Ms she gets than anything else, but hey. I'm not complaining.

She usually cheers for herself loudly and lustily: "Yay, Cordelia! You did an awesome job! NOW I CAN HAVE SOME M&Ms!"

Happy Saturday!

Roundup of Cuteness

From the Department of You Can't Make It Up

CJP: Cordelia! Stop doing that! I am playing with it! I AM!
CML: I am the boss! I AM THE BOSS!
CJP: You are NOT the boss! Mommy is the boss!
CML: No she is NOT! I AM THE BOSS! I AM THE EGGMAN! I AM THE WALRUS! Coo-coo-ca-choo!
CJP: COO-COO-CA-CHOO!

Mother's Day at CMS

A few weeks ago, I had the joy of attending Mother's Day at CMS. Lately I feel like Cody doesn't like me a whole lot, so it was heartwarming to see him excited about our day together. We wore our twin sweatshirts and had a great time.

Naturally, we spent some time on the "play dough job," before moving to more challenging work.  

Here's Cody, sorting colors from lightest to darkest (and super quickly, too).

Then we made a picture frame for our favorite beach photo!

Then the children sang a funny song about a skunk. It started, "Oh, I stuck my head down a little skunk's hole, and the little skunk said, 'Well, bless my soul! Take it out!'"

All in all, it was a lovely morning. 

From Caterpillar to Butterfly

Tonight was Cody's end-of-the-year program at school. As with the January performance, he was 100% stoked...right up until showtime. Tonight, however, he melted down in his classroom...pre-show jitters.

But Cody girded his...never mind. Cody gathered his courage about him and when it came time to sing, there was no one louder. Or sweeter. Or more sincere.

Especially when the wind began to whip up, the skies darkened, and mid-song, a concerned Cody pointed at the sky and said, "Ms. Leavesley, I need to talk to you about those ominous clouds up there!" ("Keep singing!" she said cheerily.)

This is the best. Little Leo is taking care of business, Annabella is posing and preening, Ike has only just removed his hands from his pants. Where they had been for most of the performance.

Okay. Here are the videos.

Cordelia was an excellent cheerleader. She ate through the entire performance. Afterward, Cody found Ms. Leavesley and told her, "Thank you so much for a great performance and for helping to make me brave!"

 Cody and Ms. Leavesley -- this one is for the ages. A picture-perfect happy ending....

 ...until an angry little voice said, "I want to do a picture too! We will do it together!"

Postcards From The Edge

Let's just say I have no photos, because there has been nothing remotely photogenic about the past week. A recap:

Thursday, 10:00 p.m - Friday, 7:59 a.m.
CML: My ear hurts me! It hurts me! It is so uncomfortable! It hurts me Mommy!
SLL: I know, baby. As soon as the doctor's office opens we will get you there. I have to go to Mother's Day at Cody's school but Daddy will take you, I promise.
CML: The doctor is sleeping! He is not awake! He will wake up soon and give me medicine! Please make my ear all better! I cannot sleep!
SLL: We will just cuddle.
CML: It hurts me!

Saturday, 7:00 p.m. - Sunday, 5:00 a.m.
CJP: Cough. Hack. Cough. Cough. Mommy! I can't sleep! It hurts so much! My chest hurts! My face hurts! Hack. Cough. Cough. Cough.

Tuesday, 11:30 p.m. - Wednesday, 6:00 a.m.
CJP: Mom! I have a headache!
SLL: That's unusual for you. Let's get some Motrin. You know what? I don't feel good either. I have a horrible earache. I wonder if this is what Cordelia felt like the other night. The good news is that her medicine made her feel better. So maybe you and I need some medicine, too. Let's just try to get through the night.

a little while later
CJP, crying: Mom! It hurts me! I cannot take it! I cannot make it through the night. It hurts too much to sleep! It's my EAR!
Me: You know what? Me too. Me too. The doctor will open at 8:00. I'll take you right away. We'll get this sorted out. We can go to my doctor too. I'll stay home tomorrow. Let's just cuddle and keep each other company and try to rest.

three minutes later
CJP: MOM! [insert sound of vomiting, crying, and screaming]
Me: Oh, my poor buddy.
CJP: Mom! I threw up on Bidi! I am so miserable! I am so sorry I threw up all over your head and your body!
Me: It's not a problem. It's going to be okay. Once you're all done we'll get in the shower. It's okay. Daddy will wash Bidi. And...everything else. Wow. Thank God for Daddy. Okay. We can do this. Let's go get cleaned up.
CJP: I hate throwing up! It is horrible!
Me: Disgusting! Grosstastic! Awful!
CJP: Nasty! Yucky! Terrible-fying! Miserable!
Me: That's the spirit.

in the shower, roughly 1:45 a.m.
Me: Cody, since we're in here, I'd like you to take this washcloth and really blow your nose. You're congested and it will be better to blow it all out than sniff it into your tummy. Just try to get it out.
CJP, seriously: Oh Mommy, I think I should wait until you step out of the tub. I would not want to share my germs with you!

This earnest concern for my well-being, even as I am literally scraping the contents of his stomach off of my body and washing his dinner out of my hair. I will never, never forget it.

in the bathroom, roughly 2:30 a.m.
Me: JVL? You guys can't sleep all night on the bathroom floor. I've done it. It's horrible.
JVL: We'll be fine. We have the super big memory bathmats from Costco that you mocked me for buying. They are paying for themselves as we speak.
Me: You are my hero. For so many reasons. Can I get you a pillow?
JVL: Sure, why not?
CJP: Mom, Dad made me a nest. I have my pillow, too. The one I did not throw up on. We are having a campout. Until I throw up again.

roughly 6:30 a.m.
Me: I'm going to the doctor. I can't take it anymore. My ear is going to explode.
CJP: Will my ear explode too?!
Me: It's just an expression. I'll meet you and Daddy at the pediatrician in an hour.

roughly 7:05
Doctor: Whoa. Your ear looks horrible.
me: Yes. I thought it might.

roughly 8:10
CJP: Hi Dr. Caplan! I have been counting backward all night until you woke up. I have a problem. My ear hurts me so, so badly! And, I threw up over and over! And, I did not sleep.
Dr. Caplan: Let's look in that ear. [peers in] Oh dear. Cody, it looks like you have a really, really big boo-boo in there.
CJP: You mean I have an ear infection, I think. Probably you should prescribe me some antibiotics.
Dr. Caplan, stifling a laugh: Yes. I will do that.
CJP: Amoxicillin maybe?
Dr. Caplan to me: I'm surprised it didn't burst. It's pretty bad. It still might. That's not a huge deal though.
Me, gaping: It's NOT?
Dr. Caplan: You guys all have the same thing. It's rare to have contagious ear infections but you have a virus that does just that. He threw up because the pain and pressure were so bad. Happens to people who get terrible migraines. The body's response is to vomit. Don't worry, antibiotics will knock it out. They'll be good as new.
CJP: That's great. Thanks so much for taking care of me! I'm glad I will not throw up anymore. Have a great day!

roughly 9:10
Me, to pharmacist: Here you go.
Pharmacist: Um, ma'am, I actually need your insurance card.
Me, staring at the Panera gift card I just handed him: Of course you do. I'm sorry. I've been awake since yesterday at 4:30. Also I didn't sleep Saturday night. Or last Thursday. Hence all the medicines on your computer screen.
Pharmacist: I can see that. [pause] I still need your insurance card.
Me: Oh. Right. Here. Wait, no. This one.

sometime in the middle of all this
CJP, touching my leg: Mom? I think you need to shave your legs.
Me: Yeah, I know. I've been kind of busy, though, Cody. You know. I haven't really had time to worry about that.
CJP: I know Mom. But you really might want to do that soon.
Me: I'll take that under advisement. I love you, Cody.
CJP: To the moon and back!

Land of Lincoln

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
~Abraham Lincoln


Last weekend we took the children on a Washington adventure to see some monuments and enjoy the beautiful weather. Cody climbed up every step of the Lincoln memorial to see the big guy himself. 

 

 (Clearly, this one is my favorite.)

Not surprisingly, Cody wasn't so much interested in the preservation of the Union. Not when there was no water in the reflecting pool because it was...

 ...a construction site!

 He gave his last full measure of devotion inspecting every aspect of every vehicle. Then, it was on to the WWII memorial. Or, as they like to think of it, the big sprayground. 

Not long after this, Cordelia went in, feet first.