Water Errywhere!

Its been pretty standard policy that I will bring Wyatt to work with me at least once a week.  He loves it at the church.  We all joke that he is going to be the next Priest.  The other day Wyatt and Pup were playing hide and seek in between pews while I cleaned up.  He has played in the baptismal font.  Today he decided to explore the pulpit.  Obviously, I'm not getting much work done but if its an emergency Wyatt can cooperate for a few hours.  I think, on some level, he knows.  He is independent and explores things without holding my hand.  It is going to be so easy in September when he goes to school there.  He is already so comfortable.

I got a called from Father Simon asking if I could come down because there sounded like there was a bomb in the basement.  Our basement troubles have been an ongoing saga since I started.  I told Wyatt that something was broken at the church.  He looked up saying "Let's go!"  Then grabed his tool box and headed for the door.  Because, clearly, he was going to fix the 100 year old boiler in the sea of asbestos with some plastic tools with faces. Makes perfect sense.  Once at the church, Wyatt marched in and headed for the basement.  He paused to see who was at the meeting in Simon's office, telling everyone that "Somethings broken.  Going to fix it in the basement."  They were all very impressed with his dedication on a Saturday.  We found the pipe leading into the circulator spewing water everywhere.  I waded in with my Chucks and turned the water off then left wet footprints back upstairs.  We called the plumber deeming this job too big for the likes of us.  Once the plumber got there, I carried Wyatt to the scene of the crime while Wyatt filled in the plumber on the situation.  "Water errywhere!!!  Pipe broken.  Whoosh!  In basement."  The plumber was impressed.  I didn't need to say a word.

St. John's has decided to increase my hours to 30 a week. Its still not quite full time so I still get to spend a lot of time with my little man. One of the Vestry members (kinda like a church board member) told me that I am a bright and intelligent woman who seems to have a fix for every problem.  I'll take it. It is nice to be reconized. However, I still haven't figured out the whole babysitting scenerio.  I have been blessed that I have my Mom babysit for me while I work but thats not going to get me to 30 hours.  With Wyatt's pre-school schedule still several months away, I'm piecemealing hours together praying I get to 30, taking Wy with me as much as possible and working from home during naptime.  Rebecca and Lizzy are going to be off for the summer soon.  Hopefully they will find it in there hearts to help me out while I pay them riduculously low.  Sounds about right.

It has been an adjustment working more hours.  As luck would have it, I have also been working more for Idea's to Go which I have mentioned before here.  Then I picked up this part-time thing for an Interior Designer that I can do when I have time.  Basically, I have decided to get as many jobs as humanly possible that I can bring Wyatt with me.  I'm hoping that all my part-time work equals full-time pay without the full-time Wyatt-less hours. So far it's working out.   Why not just work full-time, do you ask?  Well, the way I see it, I am keeping my schedule as flexible as possible allowing me to be at every potential baseball practice, every parent teacher conference, everyday after school, every sick day, every not so sick day but still not going to school, every snow day or field trip.  I can be an amazing mom while also being a force of nature in the workplace.  HooRah!

Double Exposed Carousel

The Apple of My Eye

I've been feeling very stagnant lately.  My days flow in and out of each other, barely distinguishable.  I play with Wyatt, work, cook, walk, naptime, bedtime, bathtime, clothing, potty, park, library, store; lather, rinse, repeat. I get stuck in routine. Wake up at 8, to bed at 11.  Its not that I am not motivated, I'm motivated for Wyatt's well being and lifestyle but not my own. I take Wyatt on field trips, walks to the beach, play dates, but I won't do the same for myself.  I enjoy putting Wyatt to bed every night.  Telling him fairytale stories while adding details that he gives me.  Feeling him roll into me, his body relaxing, listening to his breath deepen.  Its the one time that I get to have my baby back.  Putting him to sleep usually puts me to sleep.  I am content to cuddle in for the night.  Terry tries to comes home every other weekend.  We play family.  I like to think that its good for Wyatt to see his parents happy and laughing together.  I trick myself into thinking that its enough for me.  It quenches my desire to have an intact family.  Just when I get motivated to change my habits, I get another dose and the storm passes.  I become torn between my needs as a single woman and my commitment, love, and awe inspiring devotion to be there for my son every second.  I know it is important for me to have time for myself.  And I do make time but its hard not to feel guilty for taking that time away from Wyatt.  (Yes, I know I could go out while he is sleeping.  But I hate feeling groggy and hungover for him the next day.  That's not fair either.)

I have been scolding myself.  Stop falling into the routine.  Stop being complacent.  Ignite your dreams.  Stop talking and start doing.  You're young.  Sleep is for babies.  Be a little more adventurous.  I asked Jen to be my guardian.  Forcing me to go out and be social if she catches me staying in too often.   I decided that if I can't bare to part with him, I would make adventures for the both of us.  I took him into the city with me last week.  I met a old college friend that I haven't seen in about 2 years.  We met in Central Park at a playground.  While Wyatt enjoyed his new surroundings and other toddlers, I conversed like a grown up with Pawel.  We sat at the Mall eating hot dogs with Wyatt making us laugh.  I took Pawel on the carousel for the first time.  Wyatt sat on Pawel's shoulders for a better view of the packed seal exhibit at the Zoo.  Wyatt loved the bustling of the streets and the TRUCKS.  OH. MY. GOD. THE. TRUCKS!!

We traveled to our old stomping ground letting my past and present life collide.  Wyatt ran around on the grass at Fordham while we filled each other in on the last 2 years.  I was reminded of the time I ran around on the grass playing Helena in an impromptu reading of Midsummer for Shakespeare on the Plaza.  We met up with Rebecca and walked to happy hour with seating outside in the sun.  I was nervous about bringing Wyatt but he promptly pasted out in his stroller.  He slept through my 2 beers.  Other friends met up.  Hayley after work and RJ after a reading of a play downtown.  We went from a table of 4 to a table of 10 while Wyatt slept.  It was so refreshing, so enlightening.  I can do this.  Wyatt is amazing.  He adapts.  I can actually have my cake and eat it too.  He sat on my lap adjusting to the new atmosphere then sat on a chair by Rebecca wearing sunglasses and eating chips.  Then he took a walk with Hayley to see the fountain.  We parted with everyone around 8 and walked 20 blocks to the car while I told Wyatt stories about my life in the city.  Only receiving a few odd looks.  When we got home, with ice cream, Wyatt and I couldn't stop talking about our trip.  Now that the weather is getting nicer I am making EXTREME efforts to get into the city with Wyatt at least once a month.  There is no reason not to.

Just to show myself up, that weekend I packed Wyatt up to visit Kelly in CT for a night.  Because, you know, why not?!  We went to KidCity this utterly amazing indoor play extravaganza and museum.  Wyatt could have stayed there for days, no weeks. He was hysterical running from room to room.  He made himself at home in Kelly's house.  Commanding the TV and promptly spewing toys in every direction.  Kelly had her bikes hanging from the ceiling in the garage and Wyatt thought this was "silly. Very silly."  He got a heinous bloody nose, for no apparent reason, that he refused to let me hold with a towel.  Blood dripped on his shirt and down his face.  Thankfully I managed to corral him out of the carpeted rooms.  There was an EMT, a cop, and a fireman.  We were safe.  I felt safe.  The next day Wyatt asked to go home.  So we did.  Just in time for Elizabeth's 5th Birthday party at the firehouse and the Wee-oh Wee-oh trucks.  OH. MY. GOD. THE. TRUCKS!!

I am dreaming up more big adventures for ourselves.  Maybe when Wyatt is 5 or 6 or 7 and can understand the adventure we'll go to Australia for a month.  Maybe we'll do a trip every year for a month.  Start off small, English speaking.  Then go to Thailand, China, Russia, Egypt as he gets older.  We can learn together.  How amazing that would be?!  He would be the most well-traveled kid in school.  And I would get to live out one of my dreams.  Maybe for now, I'll start small.  Just carve out a night for myself once a week.  Stop being complacent.  Ignite your dreams.  Dream big.

My Buddy, My Pa

26 Months

Goose,

First, I have to say you're awesome.  I have been saying that A LOT lately.  Its been your mantra.  Since getting back from FL, we have embarked on potty training.  I am proud to say that you have been diaper free for over 2 weeks now!  I think that deserves a "You're Awesome!!!"  I take NO credit at all.  You potty trained yourself.  I asked you if you wanted to wear underwear and you have been ever since.  I still put you in a diaper at night but you have been waking up dry so I might try that next.  If I know we are going on a long trip without many bathrooms, I'll put you in a Pull-up just to be on the safe side.  But one Pull-up will last you all day because you are so good using the potty.  You even made it, without accident, for a full day in Central Park where bathrooms are few and far between.  I am just so proud of you.

Two funny stories in potty training and then I'll stop taking about your bodily functions, promise.  You were very hesitant to poop on the potty.  I'm not sure why but it took you a few days.  I would catch you with that look on your face and ask you if you had to use the potty.  You go "No Momma.  Doin' nuffin.  Stop, Momma.  Doin' nuffin."  Then I would ask again and you would say "Just doin' toodles" which is your word for farting.  Finally, we spent a good 2 hours in the bathroom one day.  You sitting on your seat while I read you books and Mission Completion!!  There was a lot of yelling, hugging, and jumping that day. In a moment of (what I thought) brilliance I let you stand on the toilet seat to pee.  You wanted to try standing and we don't own a step stool that will bring you high enough so I thought this was a viable option.  You are rather talented and we use that method mostly while using public restrooms.  However, I got odd looks when mentioning this to other potty training parents.  I am sure you will grow out of that but in the mean time, I still think its pretty clever.

So far this year, April has held only sunshine and March was all rain.  You really didn't mind the rain much.  You have this great raincoat with matching boots in a green truck print that you adore.  Even the slightest chance of rain and you would need to wear the entire outfit.  Oh the puddles you jumped in!  With all the rain you also perfected your "Rain, Rain Go Away" song.  You substitute in people all the time.  Sometimes its Momma and Wyatt, Wyatt and Gammy, Momma and Dadda, its all rather adorable.  You sing all the time especially in the bath, in your car seat, and at 10:30 when you should be sleeping.  It makes it so hard to get mad at you when you are singing "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" while using my face as diagram for the eyes, ears, mouth, and nose part.  You have this sense of when I am going to get upset and then you do something incredibly cute that I can't possibly harbor any ill will.  Its a skill.

Easter was a blast! You didn't quite understand the egg hiding but played along really well.  You couldn't differentiate between the hard boiled ones and the plastic ones.  So, a lot of our hard boiled eggs ended up with cracks.  You would literally throw them into the dye, splashing it everywhere.  You kept on asking what was inside.  But you were a champ at the finding part.  Almost a year after your traumatic superman fall down the stairs, Hayley decided to come visit us again.  You warmed to Hay very quickly and was holding her hand in no time.  The three of us snuggled down in bed with you sprawled out in the middle.  I had to go to work early and left you two peacefully sleeping.  Hayley said that when you woke up you rolled over and said "Hairree, what doin?"  She's moving to LA at the end of the month.  Would you be up for a trip over the summer?

Pup has moved up a status notch as far as I'm concerned.  For the most part, he is a pain in the ass.  He chews everything, runs around maniac style at 3 in the morning, sleeps in inappropriate places like on my face, and craps all the stupid stuff he's eaten all over the backyard for me to pick up in little black bags.  However, you ADORE this dog and this dog ADORES you.  For the entirety of the Easter egg hunt with 4 other cousins running around, he was never farther then 5 feet from you.  He watches you.  Takes care of you.  And you need him sleeping on your bed.  He peacefully sleeps with you ever nap time.  You ask for him if he's gone too long.  You give him hugs, share your toys, and tell him "I lobbe you so much, Puparoni!"  This is exactly why I got you a dog.  Every moment you share with that crazy mutt is worth his weight in gold.

I love you everyday.....and.....you're AWESOME!!
Momma

Cousin William's Easter Bonnets

The Kennedys

Terry and I took Wyatt to an Easter egg hunt at the library last Saturday. Wyatt had no idea what he was supose to be doing. If you think about it, Easter is really hard to explain to a kid. There's this bunny and he comes to hide your eggs and give you candy. Why? Well, because Jesus rose from the dead!! Maybe Jesus and the bunny are friends but for the life of me I can't understand his obsession with eggs. Anyway, moving on from that tangent...Wyatt saw all these kids running around so he just started running. In every direction. His brain told him "Look!! There are kids running. So run!! And scream. This is so much fun!!" Terry and I were yelling directions at him. "Look, there's a blue egg by your foot. Wyatt, stop. Look. Over here." So he would pick it up and try to open it then look up and THE KIDS ARE RUNNING!!! He ended up collecting 5 eggs and then a few big kids gave him some more. He was more interested in the running and continued on running even when almost everyone else left.

We met this couple with a son, James, only a few months older then Wyatt. They got along really well although I found James VERY hard to understand. We decided that he was either speaking a made up language or Chinese. James and Wyatt were following each other around, sharing these small bunny toys, and I swear talking to each other. Or rather Wyatt was trying to communate in English while James was speaking in Mandarin or Swahili, whatever. But they seemed to be having fun, none the less. The couple just moved to our small town from Brooklyn and are having a very hard time meeting people. You would think that since our town is so tiny everyone would know one another. And sometimes thats true, especially if you lived here for a long time. But as an outsider looking in I would find it intimidating trying to encroach on that inner circle. We are all people islands. I bet if everyone just took 5 minutes to get to know their neighbors a little better we could make a stronger community. Throw a block party instead of peering over fences, a bunch of BBQing islands. Block parties were so awesome but now its more important to have intangible Facebook friends then reality neighbor friends. Woah, another tangent, anyway....they live a few houses away and before leaving they invited us over at anytime. I should probably bake them something to welcome them to the neighborhood. Thats what someone pre-technology would do.

This scene is pretty classic and frequent in my world. I meet other parents all the time, at the Y, at the playground, at the supermarket, at the library. Sometimes you chat for a minute, maybe make tentative plans at a play date. Or a see you here next week promise. Evidently, Terry doesn't make it out of military-land very often and this was an ENTIRELY new experience for him. I am not exggerating when I say he couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He was so proud of himself, commenting how we were just like the Kennedy family. Making friends with new people, carefully responding and avoiding their questions, rolling around with our kid in the grass with matching Chucks on. And for what it is worth, he's kinda right. We are a family. It might not be the tradional sense of the word but families come in all shapes and sizes. I'm not going to get all mushy and sentimental (although I want too). Sometimes, even I get caught up in the details instead of holding on to the feeling behind the details. Next time someone asks me my marital status or Wyatt's Dad's involvement, I'm going to respond with "We're a family." Lets see what kind of reaction that gets.

This post wouldn't be complete without Another tangent: Terry, if we actually want to be the Kennedys, we have to have a bunch of more kids. Enough kids to play football on the beach. And I think thats a conversation best had over A LOT of drinks.

When You Wish Upon A Star