This week, Charlie celebrates his 4th birthday. When the boys were babies, I would go in their room and watch them sleep in their crib. I was always amazed how big they looked in their crib. It seemed their growth became more obvious at night, when they were sprawled out in their bed, lying motionless.
Joe, small enough to fit in a nursing pillow.
Even now, when I check on the boys before I go to bed, I see how they are filing up their twin beds more and more. My boys are getting so big. I am watching it unfold in front of me, yet it still seems to happen in the blink of an eye.
A time when baths were taken in the sink.
Joe and I were watching TV early one morning. He was sitting on the table in front of the couch, while I sat on the couch. I watched him, sitting on the table, and I couldn’t help but notice how big he was getting. Then I was reminded of the fact that he is starting Kindergarten in August, and his big boyness became even bigger to me.
Just home from the hospital with Charlie.
I eventually said, “Joe, you are getting so big.” He quickly replied, “I know.” Then I asked, “Are you excited about getting big?” He mumbled, “Yes.” Shortly after, Charlie came in the room and sat on the table (apparently our couch & chair lack comfort). And just like I noticed with Joe, I was amazed at how big Charlie is getting.
Joe checking out his new baby brother, Charlie.
I’m no longer watching them with my breath held, as they attempt to climb up to the couch, chair or -ahem – table. They are old enough to go outside without Rob and me following along immediately. Strollers, cribs, high chairs and diapers are all things of the past. Entertainers, bouncy seats and push toys are long gone. Now it’s Tinker toys, Lincoln logs, Legos
and 100+ piece puzzles; Crayons, paints,
glue sticks and scissors.
Brotherly trust and brotherly love
I am enjoying the boys more and more as they grow. I love listening to Joe and Charlie interact with each other, each one confident in his knowledge. Joe is the teacher, explaining things to Charlie. And Charlie is the ever-trusting younger brother, seeking Joe’s advice on the littlest thing. “Joe, should I use the orange crayon or the red one? Orange or red, which one?”
Brothers sharing
When out of various stages, it becomes easy to romanticize about newborns and infants. But, I’m not looking to experience the sleepless nights, colic cries and changing of diapers again. Still … little outfits, sweet baby breath, tiny fingers on a tiny hand holding your seemingly gigantic thumb tightly… Well, maybe one sleepless night. Happy birthday, Charlie; I love you.
Since January 2010, Lenore Diane has put forth an effort to post entertaining thoughts regarding her take on life. To mark her 100th post, she decided to sit down with herself to ask and answer questions about the past six months. Wearing black, cropped pants and a purple shirt, she sits and answers my, er, her questions.
So, this is your 100th post. Are you surprised you’ve written so much?
Surprised? No. I have an incredible ability to babble. You’ve heard the thought, ‘Dance like no one is watching’, right? Well, I write and talk even if no one is reading or listening.
Do you think you have a following of readers?
I know one of my sisters reads my blog regularly. And, I know a friend that checks in every now and again. Aside from those two folks, I’m not sure I have followers per se. The stats show I am getting hits, so that has to count for something, right? I can only hope those who find me will come back again and again.
When do you get your best ideas for posts?
Well, when I go to bed at night, my mind becomes inundated with blogging ideas. And, every night, I go to bed convinced I’ll remember my idea in the morning. And, every morning, the idea was lost in the night.
Why not keep a writing pad and pen by your bed?
Gee. Great idea, Genius. I have a handy dandy notebook and pen that I try to keep with me at all times, including on my bedside nightstand. Unfortunately, I often forget to grab the notebook and/or I forgot where I had it last.
So, you’re very organized, eh?
HA! You’re funny. Have you read my post ‘Hiding the Junk’? I make no claims to being organized.
Out of the 99 posts, do you have a favorite?
Yes.
Ok, smart ass. Which post is your favorite?
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I like the post about my Dad, written to coincide with my niece graduating from college. Oh, and I liked my Ode To Amherst Shore. Hmm … I guess I don’t have a favorite, rather I have several I like more than others.
What do you hope to accomplish with your written posts?
Well, my followers will know this answer.
I’m sorry, you mean, assuming you have followers.
Whatever. My hope is to entertain, enlighten and encourage. Though I really don’t know what I want to encourage. I just wanted to name a third thing starting with ‘e’. I’d also like to be published. I believe I have produced some good posts, though it may be obvious that I lack an editor. Still, I believe, with the help of an editor, I could produce an excellent publication of posts.
Do you think you are funny? And, do you try to use humor in your writing?
Yes, I think I am funny, and I definitely try to use humor in my writing. My reality is that I crack myself up all the time. I come from a family of folks that crack themselves up all the time. We laugh at our own jokes, and we are completely OK with the fact that others aren’t laughing. My heart goes out to the folks who don’t laugh at our humor. We are some seriously funny people! HA HA! See?! Made me laugh. *sigh* ‘Oh me’
What haven’t you written about that you know you will write about in the future?
Ooo, I love that question. I don’t know. I have covered so much territory already. I’m not sure what is left, but I’m certain I’ll find something. Maybe I will write in greater detail about my fears.
Ok, let’s go with a lightening round. Quick and short answers, please. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?
Seriously? What – are you Barbara Walters? This is completely cheesy.
Ya think? You’re the one writing this post. Now please, just answer the question.
*sigh* Any evergreen tree.
What’s one thing folks don’t know about you?
My weight; it changes frequently based on my consumption of ice cream during any given week.
You’re not very good at short answers. Name your favorite holiday.
Thanksgiving
What’s your favorite color?
Orange
What is your dream car?
Mercedes. Any model. Consumer Reports always ranks them high on their automobile lists. And, Mercedes does well during the crash tests. Wait. Based on your facial expression, I’m guessing my response is too long?
Well, we have come to the end of our interview.
Oh. Please ask me another question.
Here's to another 100 reflections of life
Seriously. People follow you? *sigh* Okay, what did you make for dinner?
When? Last night?
Oh my gosh! Who cares?!
I don’t know. Maybe my followers?
Ugh. Just answer the question, what did you make for dinner last night?
Nothing. We went out to a restaurant.
Wait. Let me guess. You were trying to be funny and amused yourself, right?
*giggle* Yeah. I really do crack myself up.
Fireflies. Joe loves fireflies. Last night, he came in from outside with a jar containing an inch worm and a slug. He quickly placed the jar on a table by the living room window. “This is a good place for the bugs to stay tonight.” He said. “They can watch the fireflies from here.”
Earlier this week, Suzann mentioned her back pasture is filled with fireflies at night, which tweaked Joe’s interest immediately. With Suzann’s permission, we agreed to take Joe and Charlie back to her house around 9:15 PM.
No fireflies caught yet, but fun is being had!
That night, Joe watched the clock, anticipating 9pm. A thunderstorm started brewing around 6pm, and Joe became nervous about the firefly expedition. His focus switched from the weather radar to the clock and then back to the weather radar. Fortunately, the rain and thunder lessened by the time we were to head to Suzann’s house. Having rained, Suzann’s pasture didn’t light up like a Christmas tree, as we had hoped. Still, Joe and Charlie had fun chasing the fireflies, but they were surprised how hard it was to catch the fireflies in the dark.
I think the anticipation of going to Suzann’s late at night was more fun than the actual experience. Still, it’s the little things. Much like when the boys ask me to honk twice when I drive away from Suzann’s house (like today). As I honked, I looked back at the house, and I saw both Joe and Charlie jumping up and down with excitement. Little moments like anticipating, watching and catching fireflies and hearing your Mom or Dad honk the horn are some of life’s biggest (and best) memories.
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My theory: More often than not, someone takes on the negative emotion not being shown by someone else in the group.
Example: Rob and I are going to a party. We are running late. Very late. 30 minutes late. Typically, I would be the one getting frustrated with our tardiness. However, if Rob were to become frustrated, I wouldn’t take on that negative emotion, frustration.
The above is just an example, but the following is real life. And yes, my theory applies to animals, too.
The Three Musketeers: Sydney, Wilbur and Cherokee
Tonight we are experiencing serious thunderstorms with frequent lightening. Our two dogs, Wilbur and Cherokee, are visibly nervous. Wilbur is pacing the house, clearly uneasy with the frequent lightening and loud thunder.
Now, back up to previous storms when we had three dogs. During severe storms with frequent lightening and thunder, our dog Sydney, would become very nervous, pacing the house and looking for shelter. And Wilbur and Cherokee? They would rest, calm, cool and collected.
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This week I went through a bunch of drawings and creations the boys generated these past 4 years. I did this project in my bedroom, where I could set up my laptop, keeping tabs on my paid gig. When the sorting and purging task was completed, I continued my work day in my room.
I love my room. In fact, my bedroom is my favorite room in the house. I’m not sure why I haven’t worked in my room prior to today. And, if I needed another reason to like my job, I am grateful that my job has mobile flexibility. Have laptop and wireless access: Can travel. Nice.
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Did you read my post about laundry and lists? Yes, well, as I stated lists are not a guarantee that tasks will be tackled, and I was reminded of that very fact this week.
I buy birthday cards at the end of every month for the coming month. This month is the month one of my sisters celebrates her birthday. The card I bought her is hilarious. In fact, the card is so funny, I bought two. It was hard for me to wait to send it to my sister, because I couldn’t wait to hear if she found it funny.
The first part of the month, we traveled to Texas. I thought I put all the birthday cards in the mail before we left town, including the one for my sister. So, this week, on my sister’s birthday, I checked in to see if she had received the card. She hadn’t. I assured her it was hilarious, and she said she would let me know when she got it. We checked in daily.
One evening, I pulled out the card drawer to get out the card for one of my nephews. I notice the card I bought my sister. At first, I thought nothing of it, because I bought more than one. Then I realized – two cards were in the drawer. Hmm… did I buy three? The next afternoon, my sister emailed me, “Still haven’t gotten the card.” That’s when I knew. I never mailed her the card. No worries. It is in the mail as I type. *sigh*
My sister may not find the card as funny as I found it, especially after the days of build up. However, she had a good laugh at the fact that the card, she was anticipating the most, had yet to be mailed. Stupid lists.
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I am putting together a scrapbook of sorts (via Shutterfly) for our day care provider, Suzann. I will give it to her on Joe’s last day at her house. As I go through all the photographs of Joe and Suzann, I am becoming increasingly sad about his ‘graduation’.
I found a picture Joe painted back in October 2008, while at Suzann’s house. He was three years old at the time. Suzann made a note on the picture, letting me know what Joe was thinking about at the time: “Does God know babies cry?” I am sure God does know babies cry, and I am certain God knows I will cry on Joe’s last day at Suzann’s house.
Lenore's Thoughts Exactly 