Too Much Personality

Kieran and Amelia are big on personality. No idea how that happened. I'm meek as a kitten, I swear.

Some funny things have happened lately (like Kieran telling Mia to clean his room when put in charge), so I figured I'd share.

Kieran likes poop jokes. And fart jokes. And saying the word 'butt'. I can't lie... it's funny. So, when I have an opportunity, I share some of the blog Crappy Pictures. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend. Recently, she had a post about her sons making up a 'butt' song and various other items of mischief. Kieran, of course, thinks it's very funny. He also giggles just at saying "crappy pictures" because he knows what 'crap' means.

Mia is starting to get vocal. Her favorite words are 'no' and 'mine'. Yeah, she's going to be fun during her 'terrible twos' phase (which, as I recall wasn't as bad as age 3). She was mean to a classmate yesterday and was told "No!" (which she hates). Her caregiver said that after that happened, Amelia wouldn't 'talk' to her. When I asked if she wanted to say goodbye, she hid her face in my shoulder and pretended she could not see Miss Chervin.

Handful! OK, gotta jet.

Kieran and Amelia, By the Numbers

As promised, here are the numbers from their last checkup. I don't have their percentiles. Suffice to say they are shrimpy, like me.

I'll start with Kieran (now age 6 - I can't freaking believe it!)

Height: 42 3/4 inches = 3.5 feet
Weight: 37 lbs (our dog is heavier)

They're no longer measuring head circumference but his blood pressure and sight is fine.

Amelia - 18 months

Height: 31 3/4 inches  = 2.6 feet
Weight: 21 lbs 8.5 oz
Head Circumference: 17 1/4

A few people have asked me how Amelia is stacking up to Kieran's numbers. I was curious myself, so I looked it up.

Kieran - 18 months
Height: 32 inches
Weight: 21 lbs 3 oz
HC: 18

So, roughly the same all-in-all. Kinda weird as it seems like growing 11 inches in 4.5 years isn't a lot, but I also know Kieran will hit serious growth spurts in the future.

Anyway, that's the numbers.

Out from Under the Covers

The past few weeks have been insane. Kieran got sick just before I left for a week-long conference. He was sick on Saturday and I left Sunday. Monday morning I called home to find that Kieran had slept for more than 20 hours (frightening), but seemed to be out from under the cold/flu/whatever-it-was.

Monday evening, I fell victim (at the conference).

Tuesday afternoon, Mia succumbed.

Thursday I was still away, starting to feel better, and it was Kieran's birthday. At least he felt better for that, though his sister was sick and he wasn't able to do much that was fun.

Friday Mia was better, I was on the mend, and Ken was able to recognize that he was sick too. Which was fine, because I was finally home.

Then Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Kieran did not have school. So, not only did he spend all his days with me at the office, but we also did our doctor and dentist visits. I'll post the kids' numbers either later this week or next - suffice to say they are growing well and consistent on their growth curves. Which is to say they are both peanuts but growing the way they should and are not over or under weight.

We saw the family this past weekend to celebrate our plethora of January birthdays (Ken, Charles, Kieran and Andy), which was nice. Amelia did not want to sit still at the restaurant, however, so keeping her entertained was frustrating. Her being more interactive is both wonderful and challenging. She's not happy unless she's moving. She does not like to sit around the house. "Outside?" is one of her favorite requests. Rough when it's cold as all get-out outside.

Now that we're starting to get back to 'normal', Mia's suddenly decided that sleeping through the night is so last week. She's waking up, crying at least 1-2 times each night. Sometimes she just needs someone to come into her room and admonish her. Other times she needs a diaper change. Still other times, she needs you to sit in the room with her for a half an hour while she falls asleep. Last night was an exception, where she actually slept through the night. I won't get used to it.

That's all I can think of for now. Love to all, blog again sometime soon.

Honey, We're Getting, Well....We're Adults

Today is Ken's fortieth birthday. That's right, the big four-oh. We're not having a fancy party or inviting tons of people to our tiny rowhome. We'll probably go out to eat tonight, have some cake and blow out candles. A quiet celebration, but a good one.

When I told/reminded Kieran yesterday that it was Ken's birthday today, he sang "Happy Birthday" to Ken noting within the song (keeping tune and rhythm) that the actual birthday was tomorrow. Last night during bedtime, he begged me to set his alarm so he could hide, and then surprise Ken this morning with "Happy Birthday, Daddy!" (He managed to do this without me setting his alarm, Amelia keeps waking up crying so she's a fine alarm clock).

I've got some surprises in store for Ken yet but looking back on the nearly 20 years we've been together I can honestly say what an amazing, thoughtful and kind husband I have. I couldn't be prouder or happier that we are together. He still makes me laugh, knows when to leave me alone or when to just sit with me.

And as to my title. Well, we're getting older. I'll be forty later this year too. (Hey babe, for a few months, you've got a hot young wife!) I prefer to think of this not as aging or going grey or getting older or wiser or any of that crap, but of enjoying our life the way it is, living vicariously through our kids without pushing them in any one direction and just generally having fun.

What I Love About My Kids

Since it is the time of year to reflect on the things you have and are grateful for, I figured I'd stop grousing about the crap the kids do that annoy me so much and focus on what I love about them.

When they smile, laugh or giggle I join right in.

When they play together, even with the age difference.

Kieran is an amazing big brother. I expect him to be completely and utterly over-protective. Future boyfriends will likely have more to fear from Kieran than Ken. (though Ken may debate that)

Amelia loves to imitate. Whether it's mimicking Kieran, 'reading' a book, or tickling the dog (or her own belly), she is learning by doing - and that's amazing.

They both love to help. Kieran actually wants to help put his clothes away. Granted, it usually helps him delay bedtime by a few minutes, but still...Mia wants to help by being held by you while you try to do whatever it is that needs done. Doesn't really help but she feels involved, I think.

Kieran telling me about his day, honestly.

Amelia, trying to see and touch everything around her.

Their big hearts.

Ken, we have made amazing kids. I hope we can help them be wonderful adults (someday in the FAR future).

Bedtime Battles

It used to be simple to get Kieran to go to bed. Sure some nights he would delay and others he'd be downright stubborn (no idea where that came from), but generally he'd follow orders and do what needed done.

Last night, however, he lost it. First mistake, letting him play on my Fire while I finished up with dinner dishes, etc. When I told him it was time to go upstairs, he did nothing. I asked if he heard me and he said he had. So I took the Fire from him and shut it off. He seemed OK with that (though not happy).

We got to his room, I told him to get naked and get ready for a bath (he had helped me scrub the tub so he could have one), he said he wanted to put his laundry away first. Knowing this for the delay tactic it was, I said we could do it after his bath but not before. He sat down and refused to do anything. I had to threaten to take away his toys to keep him from playing with anything. Finally I told him if he did not get moving in the next minute he would have a shower. Again, nothing.

Frustrated and at my wits' end, I treated him like a baby. Took his clothes off and bodily carried him upstairs to the bathroom. He is thinking this is funny, I can tell. I turn on the faucet and then the shower. He looses it. I put him into the shower and he yells "I'm not going to get clean!" I let him sob (and I mean SOB) for awhile.

Then I hear a "Mommy!" Not a cry, but a demand. He wants to tell me he's not going to get clean. I told him I'd give him a minute to reconsider and then I would do it for him. Time goes by, he does nothing, so I clean him up. He fights me every step of the way. Finally, shower is off, he's out and his nose is running. I get him some toilet paper to blow his nose, which he does and then throws the toilet paper on the ground.

I lost it. I told him in no uncertain terms he would have to pick it up. He fought me for 2 minutes before I grabbed his hand, put the tissue in it and bodily carried them both to the trash can (thank goodness he's still under 40 lbs), where I had him put the tissue away.

I took him to his room, where he still fought me on getting ready for bed. He was crying after his shower, which woke up his sister, who started crying. Ken was at his wits' end with her (she didn't want to go to sleep), so we traded.

Ken got Kieran to bed and I got Amelia back to sleep. For some reason, every time I put Kieran to bed, he fights me. Its frustrating because we don't spend as much time together and I don't like to fight with him, but he's got to know his behavior is not acceptable.

This morning, without prompting from anyone, he said to me "Mom, I'm sorry about last night." I thanked him and left it alone.

Maybe if I push his bedtime back by 1/2 hour it will be better. Maybe I'll just tell him he can put himself to bed from now on.

My Little Goblins

While Halloween is over, I know I have been frighteningly lax in keeping up the blog. If only someone had told me how hard it would be to keep up with two kids... oh wait. Nevermind.

Amelia continues to grow and amaze. She's got a few words but they are pretty much indistinguishable from her babble. She is quite content to give you full details about an object, her day, or life in general. Just don't expect to understand a word she says. She'd probably walk more if we set her down, but when we're trying to keep up with Kieran, I admit it's easier to have her in the stroller or in our arms.

Kieran amazes me. Just last night we were talking about the word 'reflective'. He was able to give me a great description (when light hits something and bounces off). I'm still not entirely sure about school this year. I feel like progress there is a lot slower than he would otherwise go. He is content with it, however, so we're reserving judgement until his report card comes in. Which may be today or early next week.

We weathered Sandy well. Worst part is that Devin (new puppy) would not go outside and so we were constantly cleaning up after him while trying to keep two kids entertained in this small house. It is times like that when I do wish for a bigger house in the burbs. But, after the storm, there was trick-or-treating. City Halloween ROCKS. People sit on their front steps if they have candy and in an hour kids can hit nearly 100 houses. It was cold but clear and the kids had fun. The only thing that seemed to scare Mia was the scream masks.

OK, I gotta go get Kieran ready for school and walk the dog one more time. Love to all blog again when I remember. (sorry!)