Imagination

I don't remember the last time I fell asleep in my own bed. Actually, come to think of it - I have trouble falling asleep without a certain little one telling me tales.
Jackson is a 'first born' for sure. His sister (god bless her sweet little heart), drinks her milk, lays in bed.. and with a couple of soft swipes across the tush, she's out. But Mr. Man needs a little more cajoling.

We read books. Mostly about bugs. "Dat bug mommy he has yatta yegs" (caterpillar). "Dat bug mommy, ew gross. He has poopie on him" (brown bugga). "Dat bug mommy, oh I yuve him". (Spider).

Then we rock. What used to be (to the tune of twinkle twinkle) "nonny nonny nonny boy, he's a nonny nonny boy, nonny nonny little boy, nonny nonny baby boy.." - you get the point, is now sung with mommy in place of anywhere boy went. *heart meltz* (Is he rocking me??) As an added joy, "Jackson" when referred to by name and mostly because of this song, tells us...: "NOT JACKSON, ME A BOY". I digress.

A few nights ago during the usual bedtime madness, rocking - - Jackson said "mommy, I see a moyocycle.. in my eye". Huh, wtf is he talking about now?? Then: "Mommy, I see Buzz and Woody in my eye." "Mommy, I see many choo choo, in my eye."

And. this. is. what. I. live. for.

Me: "Jackson, that's your imagination." Jax: "I yuve my magination."

Silly girl

Juju thinks it's hilarious when I tell her no. TROUBLE.

Soccer with my little love

Poll Time

Dog Days Are Over

Try A Little Tenderness

Tenderness..... We all know the feeling of receiving, but how do you teach this? A tender kiss on a boo boo. A tender I love you. A tender tickle to the face.

Jax is two and a half. Juju is nearly one. He Loves her. She LOVES him. But "HoWW" do I teach him tenderness. I suppose I am really, Just. Not. Sure. I get concerned when he's rough or does something "not-tender" (to put it politelty) but in the meantime, I just try and show him how nice "TENDERNESS" feels.

-The "love buggies". The come here and there to tickle Jackson's face (TENDERLY). "Oh - guess who's here... THE LOVE BUGGIES". He immediately lays on the floor in preparation of the impending tickle.
-Boo boo kissies - no need to elaborate.
-Song. It calms the mood. It sets the tone. Bottom Line. Tender songs seal the deal for calm behavior. When in doubt - sing a song.

The ones that work for us:
-Sea of Love
-In My Life
-Everyday
-Ripple
-But who really cares. Sing what works.

And then all of a sudden, just when doubt is filling your mind... Little guy (girl) runs up, flips their arms up in your face....... and rubs you oh. so. gentle. on your cheeks. gives you a kiss. and throws their arms around you. And you hope and you pray that the tenderness will stay. Forever. Forever. Forever.

And this hope only makes You, all the more tender.

Nostalgic Scents

We have all experienced it.. walk past someone in the mall - and poof, you're listening 90's music and making out with your first boyfriend. But scents become SO much more nostalgic when you're a mom.

I remember so vividly taking the class at Valley Hospital... how to change baby boy's diapers. "Rub the A&D ointment on the tip of the peepee and all over the diaper to make sure nothing sticks to the wound." WELL, I'll tell you this... nothing brings me to tears more quickly then the scent of a little A&D.

And now that I contemplate not having another little one, I begin to appreciate little Juju's formula burps. How disgusting is formula??? BUT - I find myself wafting the vapors that come from a good, bottom of the belly, formula burp. Why you ask? Because when will I ever smell them again? Someday..I'll be in line behind the cart of a new mom, and her baby will burp and spit up on me. I'll probably cry (for days gone by...).

While we're at it... let's talk about Baby Magic. There are articles everywhere - "It's made from cow guts"... "Rats died for this"... "Cheap shit". Bottom line - It. Doesn't. Matter. Because that smell... THAT smell. My god it is heaven. A little piece of melted down childhood.. in ooey gooey childhood magic goodness and served up on a platter. For you.

People come flocking when that baby magic is rubbed on a baby. I figure it's because THAT smell is just like little babies. MAGIC.