Independent Play

The best thing about Miles learning to crawl? He's suddenly discovered that whole "independent play" idea.

Now that he's mobile and can pull up on any piece of furniture that's the right height, he zooms around the apartment, stopping here and there to play with a toy, or pull on the curtains. Or cruise furniture at a rapid speed.

He still likes playing with Mommy (and Daddy), but he's totally content to play all by himself for up to a half hour at a time, squealing with delight at each new discovery.

I thought this newfound freedom would allow me to get more done around the house. I mean, if he's playing, I can go do the dishes or a load of laundry, right?

Wrong.

Because leaving the room for even a second is like handing him an invitation to find the one thing he's not supposed to have and eat it. Or throw it on the floor and stomp on it. Or crush it between his little fingers. Destruction follows this kid like a shadow,* only closer.

The other day, I was picking his toys up off of the floor and looked up. He had pulled himself up on a table and was busily pulling all of his baptism announcements off onto the floor. Where he was delighting in stepping all over them, repeatedly.** I quickly abandoned the riot of toys on the floor, and ran over to pick up the announcements before they were completely destroyed. I got them all picked up and smoothed out and put out of reach, only to turn around to see him holding half of a coupon. Upon closer inspection, he was busily chewing on the other half. So I scooped it out of his mouth and ran it to the trash can. I came back to see him flinging all of the toys I had just put away all over the floor.

Sigh.

I guess the reality is, I am getting a lot more done in a day. But Miles is creating most of the work. :)

*I guess everyone needs a hobby. :)

**Yes, those are coming. I promise.

My Views on Mother's Day

"Happy Mother's Day" has an entirely new meaning this year. For the first time, ever, this is my day, too. And I feel so blessed. I would love to be able to do an entire post on how amazing it is to be a mother. Because it is. It is the best thing I've ever done. I could cure cancer, win an Olympic gold medal, and eliminate world hunger, and I would still look at my son as my greatest accomplishment. Because he is. He is a miracle that I prayed for, and a blessing that I thank God for every night.

Yes, being a mother is the greatest thing in the world. Which is why I have to rant, just a little, about the day designated to honor us Mothers.

Every year around this time, I hear moms asking each other "What do you want for Mother's Day?" The responses vary. One wants those diamond earrings she's had her eye on. Another wants a massage. Another is hoping for a fancy dinner at a high-dollar restaurant.

But the response I hear most often is: "A day without my kids."

Let's examine that statement. You are a mother because you have kids. So you want to spend the day celebrating your status as a woman who has kids by getting away from them? That's ridiculous.

To me, Mother's Day, if you're going to celebrate it at all, should be a day where you celebrate all it means to be a mother. Yes, I think that Dad should help Mom out a little more - do the dishes for her, allow her to sleep in or take a nap, that sort of thing. But why not spend the day with your children? Those adorable little people that chose you to be their mother. Do something fun with them. It should be something you enjoy, but take them with you.

Perhaps I'm a little biased, though. See, I have this amazing mom, who loved spending time with her kids. I remember spending almost every Mother's Day at the Riverfest, just hanging out with Mom. Because that's what Mom wanted to do - spend time with us. And we loved her for it. I'm sure we got her gifts and cards,* but that's not what I remember. I remember spending the entire day with her, having fun. And I know that's what she remembers, too.

I get that moms are stressed. And tired. And need a break. I am all of those things, all the time. And I know my mother was all of those things, too. But I will never understand how spending a day without your children is a celebration of Mother's Day. Take your break one of the other 364 days of the year.

As for me, I will be spending the day with my husband and my son at the zoo, creating memories.

*At least, I hope we did?

Self-Inflicted Panic Attacks

Oh, noes. I think I may have a panic attack.

I have to leave my baby. Overnight. For the first time, ever.

It really shouldn't be that big of a deal. After all, I'm leaving him with his father, and it will be for less than 24 hours.* But that's about 12 hours longer than I've ever been away from him in his life. And I'm freaking out, wondering how I got myself into this in the first place. I have actually wondered (briefly, I promise) what would happen if I cancelled at the last minute and didn't go, so I could spend time with my son and my husband.

But then, I would be letting down nine wonderful children. See, I'm directing this children's gypsy group, and we are joining the adult gypsy group at their training camp thingy that they do every year. For the adults, it's like boot camp and drama camp all mashed into one crazy four-day weekend. For the kids, it's an overnight stay so they can get to know one another, create their characters, and participate in a bonfire and a church service.

Cue panic attack number two: I am going to be in charge of nine children, ranging in age from seven to fourteen, for nineteen whole hours. I am insane.

Someone bring me a paper bag. Or some valium. :)

*19 hours, actually. I hate to seem like one of those dramatic people who actually counted the hours, but well, I did. :(

Friday Photos

A few pictures of our favorite boy to start your weekend off well. :)

Since I didn't manage to get this into the 7 month post

last week.

Helping Mommy with the laundry.

Playing and showing off those standing skillz. :)

And finally, playing with the best toy ever:

a cardboard box. :)

Have an awesome weekend!

Quick Update

Sorry, guys. It's been quite a week.

Preparing for Boot Camp - done.

Contracts for Festival - sent out.

Apartment cleaning - done.

Keeping a very mobile Miles out of everything - impossible.

I promise more updates, soon. And some pictures. Just as soon as I have five minutes that aren't already taken up by Festival, chasing Miles, or sleep.

It may be 2018 before you get another update. . . ;)

Dinosaur Blues

Did I mention I have awesome in-laws? I do.

My sister-in-law, Katie, has been buying books for Miles since he was born. Actually, I think she started even before that. But, it's really no surprise, considering she's a librarian. The great thing is, she has great taste in literature.

For months, we have been receiving board books by an author named Sandra Boynton. I'd seen her stuff once or twice, but I never realized how much I loved her until we had our own collection to read to Miles. And now, I love her even more. Why?

Because she wrote "Philadelphia Chickens".

Last weekend, Katie brought us several books for Miles, all by Sandra Boynton. All of them are books of silly songs, complete with CD's of the music - all of which are jazzy, bluesy sort of tunes. I LOVE them! In fact, I love them so much that we've listened to them all week long. Thank goodness Miles loves them, too - he likes to shake his head to the music. :)

And here's the weird part: I used to listen to the "Philadelphia Chickens" CD with a little boy that I nannied for. I had no idea that there was a book. I had no idea that Sandra Boynton was in any way related to it. I loved the CD and the author separately, never realizing that they were connected. I looked and looked for that CD for years, at every used book store I could find. But given that the only thing I could remember about it was that it had a bunch of silly, jazzy songs on it, and that one of them talked about "Remarkable Cows" and another was about "Dinosaur Blues", I could never find it.*

And then, years later, when I have a child of my own, this book and CD make their way back to me. I'm not sure what kind of Fate helps you find good children's music, but whatever it is, I like it.

Now, could you help me remember the title of that book with the Daddy cuddling a little baby on the cover?

*For whatever reason, it never occurred to me to just Google it. I'm smart sometimes. :)

Heeerrre's Johnny (3)!

So, you know Patrick and me. You've heard me talk about Lilo. You're probably aware of the fact that we have a cat named Nikko. And of course you know all about Miles. Let me introduce you to one family member you probably haven't met, yet.

World, meet Johnny 3.

Johnny was an impulse purchase at a sale night at Bed, Bath, and Beyond a year and a half ago. He was just so cute. And smart. He can roam around on his own and not run into things!* So, we bought him, and brought him home. We loved him and played with him, and named him after the coolest 80's nerd movie robot ever. But, since there can only be one Johnny 5, and our boy only has 3 wheels, we decided on Johnny 3.

We had no end of fun chasing the dog around the apartment with it. We loved to watch him roam free. Patrick dreamed up various ways he could 'improve' our new addition.

And then, we put him on a shelf and ignored him. For a long time. He seemed doomed to the life of a toy who has no one to play with. The worst fate a toy can receive.

And then, a little blonde** miracle came along. At first, he had no interest in Johnny. But as he grew, he became more and more intrigued by the red robot who had taken up residence on top of the TV.

One day, the little Miracle's daddy took down the robot and put him on the floor. And a friendship was born.

Now, Miles and Johnny play on the floor happily together, with help from Mommy or Daddy controlling the remote.

And now, all is well in the world for a little red robot named Johnny 3 and his boy, Miles.

*Yes, that was the primary selling point.

**Possibly strawberry-blonde.