His Hands

I love his tiny hands. I see so much potential in his little hands. I wonder what his hands will do. Will they be the skilled hands of a surgeon? Will they be callused from heavy lifting and building? Will they have hair color on them like Daddy's?

Whatever his hands do, I hope they are like His hands.

I hope Ben's hands will skillfully dissect right from wrong, and that he will help lift others' burdens and build others up. There is so much power in those tiny hands.

Conversation With a Toddler #2

It has already started. She is slowly becoming me, using my logic and ultimatums:

Olivia: Mom, can I get on the computer?

Me: No. Not on Sunday.

Olivia: (with one hand one her hip and the other hand pointed at me) Either you let me get on the computer or I am going to go wake Ben up from his nap.

Me: Oh young one. You are learning quickly. Soon you will have control of the force. Don't give in to the dark side.

Ok. So I didn't really say that last part. But is it really supposed to start this soon? Isn't she supposed to be mastering how to ride a bike? Oops, she'd done that. Well, isn't she supposed to be learning imaginary play? She's mastered that too. I guess all that is left is Ultimatums 101. At least she has the best teacher.

Lessons in Make-up Application

Some things just go without saying...

Olivia was having a little trouble with her eye shadow. When I told her where it is supposed to go (i.e. on her eyelids), she replied, "How can I see it if I put it on my eyes? I can only see it if I put it up here." I guess that's all that matters. She has proven once again that it's me that is incorrect. What was I thinking?

Chubba Bubba

My little man is getting so big. He is almost four months old, and he is already wearing 9 month old clothes. I could just eat his little fat rolls. I wish my fat rolls were as cute.

Games

My kids love to play "I Spy." Here is an example of how our version sometimes works (or not works, as the case may be):

(While driving to ballet...)

Ethan: I spy something orange.

Me: Is it a car?

Ethan: Where is the orange car?

Me: I don't know. I'm asking you. Did you see an orange car?

Ethan: No.

Me: Was it a sign?

Ethan: That sign isn't orange.

Me: No, not that sign. Ethan, did you see anything orange?!

Ethan: That is not how you play!

Me: Fine. I'm not playing. (Two can play at your game, buster).

(Five minutes later and 2 miles later...)

Ethan: I see an orange car!

Observations on Santa

Olivia: Mom, if Santa is so big, how can he fit down such small chimneys?

Me: That's why Santa is special. Santa has magical powers.

Olivia: Did Jesus give Santa his powers?

Me: Uh, sure.

Olivia: ...because Jesus created everyone and everything, like the casinos and the hotels and the buildings and the people. I bet he gave Santa magic powers.

It's All Relative

Despite how different they all look from each other, they seem to favor a similar smile...

Discovery

This is Ben...

This is Ben trying to figure out what to do with his tongue...

This is Ben enjoying his new discovery...

This is Ben laughing at Mommy after he spit up all over her. Guess she will use zoom next time...

Ben's New Mat

These things are great. It captures Ben's attention for about 15 minutes. It's amazing how much you can get done in 15 minutes. Of course, he needed instructions on how to use it. Good thing Olivia and Ethan are old pros. They showed him all the ropes.

Ready, Aim, Fire

I have been pretty lucky. Ben has only peed on me a couple times, and it never really made direct contact. It got him more wet than me. Ethan, however, was not so lucky.

Last night I was getting Ben ready for the bath. As I sat on the edge of the bath holding Ben, Ethan came up to give Ben loves. All of the sudden, Ethan recoils and screams, "Ben pee-peed!" I look up at Ethan. There he is with pee pee dripping off his face and mouth, his shirt soaking. He immediately started crying. The horror! He was devastated. Fortunately he wasn't grossed out. I was surprised he didn't start dry heaving and lose dinner right there on the floor. Then again, it was just baby pee pee.

That's the last time Ben gets loves without a diaper on!