Selective hearing + Brutal honesty

Trying to establish "who's in charge" with a spirited child has proven to be very difficult. Luckily for all involved, Mya has been blessed with sharing her life with an equally spirited mommy! I can go all day and night establishing rules, setting boundaries, loving, having fun, and of course dancing.

But this post is about the hard part, discipline. It is so hard to discipline and be consistent, but we are seeing the fruits of our labor. One of the down sides of being so consistent is that Mya has started repeating back to me catch phrases such as:

These are the rules.

Do you hear me?

Are you making good choices?

Here's the thing (followed by rule, rule, rule).

Sophie, HUSH!

Are you listening to me?

Last night, after 4 returns to the bed, we break out the big guns. "If you get out of bed again, you will lose all your binkies. It's your choice. Do you hear me?"

Mya tips her head to the side, "I don't wanna hear you."

High Shoes

The first thing we do every morning is pile into Mommy and Daddy's bed. Mya drinks a box of milk, Enzo has a bottle, and somewhere in between I sneak sips of coffee.

Antonio delivers the beverages so we can stay warm and cozy. Today when he left to go to work Mya exlaimed, "Have fun Daddy! We'll have fun TooooNIiiiight!"

Enzo has about 10 minutes in the bed before he MUST get downstairs to play. Mya, in the meantime, has taken off her socks and observed me as I put on my slippers. Enzo and I make it downstairs first and as we stand on the tile floor she asks, "Is the floor cold, Mommy?"

I inform her, "Yes, it is. Your slippers are right there, or you can put your socks back on."

"No thanks, I want to wear high shoes."

A Breakthrough!

Mya gets easily frustrated with Enzo when he won't play doctor, or knocks over her block structure, or turns off the TV.

Day after day I turn blue in the face explaining to her that he is still a baby and learning that he is frustrating you. I have given her "permission" to feel frustrated as long as she doesn't hurt him.

Also, she can bark, "STOP, Enzo DAVID!" As long as she follows with what she wants him to stop doing, and asks me for help if she needs someone to step in.

Today I was typing an email and they were playing 5 feet from me. I heard the following come from this sweet girls mouth, "Ennnzooooo, ughhhhhh! Why are you doing this? That makes me mad when you knock this down. Mommy, I need help!"

Wow, she really is listening to me!

Sigh of Relief

The last few months I have been blessed with some new friendships in a group of women who have built their families through transracial adoption.

We meet once a month to discuss a book we are reading and hash out our insecurities, brag about our children, talk hair, and boost each other's confidence. Overall, it is one of my favorite evenings of the month.

Mya is usually still awake when the ladies arrive. Antonio dutifully gets her to bed but she always needs a goodnight kiss. I am more than willing to end her day with a kiss, and she always provides me with a good story to tell when I get back down stairs.

Last month she said, "Mommy, you come back in here after your girlfriends leave." Where did she learn to call them my girlfriends? I asked Antonio, and it wasn't him!

Last night she said she wanted to say a prayer. I said, "Great who do you want to pray for?" She replied, "Your friends."

Aww, I naively thought she could sense the love and desire to do right by our children in the women chatting in our living room.

"Mya, what would you like to pray about for my friends?"

She took out her binky and said, "Dear God, I pray that Mommy's friends go home."

These new friendships have been such a sigh of relief for me, but having this amazing (and sassy) daughter who is part of the reason they came into my life, can only make me smile.

Mambo Italiano!

There was a day when fears of the "Ferraro Italian Heritage" NOT being passed on were voiced.

Antonio was quick to point out that our children will carry the Italian name, just like him. They may NOT speak Italian, just like him, but will be equally Italian.

Nonno (Vince) stepped up to the plate and declared he was going to teach Mya the Italian language. To be honest, we all scoffed as not one of the 3 Ferraro children speak Italian. Nothing short of pasta, meatballs, and cannoli have been spoken in my presence.

Well tonight Mya was brushing her teeth and as she was ready to rinse she asked Tonio for some "Acqua". When he asked where she learned that word, she quickly spit and announced, "Nonno taught me!"

Pass that heritage, Nonno.....pass it!

What's in a Name?

There is a special woman that has made quite an impression in our house.

This woman single handedly rid Mya of her separation anxiety that started at 9 months and went well past her 2nd birthday.

This woman encourages me to run, and that my children are in good hands while I am gone.

This woman is ready with a tissue for every runny nose, I find that really gross when the kids aren't mine.

This woman has a unique name and was the head of the child care at the YMCA.

Mya named her carry with me, can't sleep without her beside me, make her talk on the phone to my relatives, baby doll after her.

Melva, I'll see you when the swine flu scare is over. Until then, your name will be spoken over and over in our house.

No Excuses

This happened while two parents were home. The kid is fast, real fast.

His First Word

Drumroll please..........

"BALL"

I'm sure you're all shocked right now!

However, I am pretty proud that he saw Hooper, the PBS cartoon hamster, shaking balls and guessing what was in them and turned to me and said, "Ball!"

That's my boy!

You Can Be President Someday

We were watching the nightly news and they said that babies of today can expect to live to be 100!

This got us into a debate about healthcare reform. Mya was slightly shocked that we were talking about something other than her or Enzo.

She asked, "Mommy, what you talkin' about?"

We told her we were talking about President Obama. I told her she could be President some day if she wanted to. I asked, "Mya, would you like to be President some day, just like Obama?"

"Ummmmmm, no thanks."

Electric Company

I have very fond memories of the television show Electric Company from when I was a child, so you can imagine my delight when I found out they were bringing it back for my little ones!

It is a very modern way of teaching reading and problem solving. It has a some urban, hip-hop undertones while teaching the kids to read. They do a lot of beat boxing, which Mya finds fascinating.

We were leaving Trader Joe's and my newly washed mini-van was awaiting us in the parking lot. Mya caught sight of her reflection in the massiveness of the automobile. She promptly turned around, started shaking her booty, looking over her shoulder at her reflection, and beat boxing.

It was quite a show.

Should the Chef Wash the Dishes?

Okay, so I'm not sure if it is the new ability to string words together into a sentence, or that she is completely sassy.

While getting Mya ready for bed, Daddy entered the room, and Mya said, "Daddy, you read to me?"

"Sure, Mya!" Antonio said.

"Mommy, you go wash dishes."

Holding Hands

One morning Mya and I were heading down the stairs to find Enzo and Antonio. I love holding hands and reached out to grab Mya's.

"Mommy, stop holding my hand. We aren't in a parking lot!"

Oh, Beyonce!

If you know me at all you know that I have been a fan of Beyonce for many, many years now. Her solo act has even impressed me more, even though I have thought I should out-grow her.

To my delight my children have become fans as well! "Put a Ring On It" is played over, and over, and over. At times I catch Enzo singing it as he plays trains, eats cheerios, or is awkwardly running through the family room. "Oh, oh, oh, oh!" are the only words he knows.

Mya on the other hand is learning lyrics left and right! Her demands every morning are, "Mommy! Put a ring on it!" She runs to grab some plastic heels and meets me in the kitchen to, "shake her booty."

Last Sunday she was singing and dancing and we heard, "Don't be mad when you see he peed on it!"

In true Ferraro form, she messed up the lyrics.

Baby Steps

Quick note

Dear Mya & Enzo,

I am constantly obsessing over what is best for the two of you and I'm sure that will never stop, it's my job.

But today as I saw the two of you walking through the kitchen, together, holding hands, I finally knew what was best for you two.

Each other.

Please don't ever forget that.

I love you.

M~

There's a Time and a Place

Mya's favorite trick at dinner time is to bat her eyelashes and ask to "puuuhhlease" sit in the lap of her loved ones.

Tonight she looked across the table at me and started her routine.

"Mommy, may I sit in your lap, puuuhhhhhleeeease?"

"No, Mya. You need to sit in your seat like a big girl. Please take a bite of your broccoli." It is so hard to be strict sometimes.

Antonio decided to model appropriate behavior,

"Mommy, will you hold me?"

"No, Daddy, not while we are eating dinner," I replied.

"Okay, I'm disappointed but I understand," Antonio shrugged.

Mya looks at Antonio and asks, "What's wrong, Daddy?"

"Oh nothing, Mommy just said she couldn't give me a hug until we were done eating."

"Oh, Daddy! I'll hug you. Come here...come on, I'll hug you." Her arms were outstretched and she waved her fingers to entice him over.

Then Enzo threw Cheerios at my head. I felt like the bad guy.

Get an alarm system!

Mya just came running into the kitchen:

"I was playing and I fell down! Then a crazy man came running! I got up and the crazy man chased me!"

"Mya, who is the crazy man?" I secretly freaking out, asked.

"Enzo!"

Oh yeah, I forgot he's walking now.

A Day in the Life

Okay, do I have my wallet? Yes.

Cell phone? Yes.

Keys? Yes.

My shoes are the right ones, I checked twice.

Baby on my hip, check.

Load into the mini-van for the hundredth time. How many more times will I do this in my life?

Okay, through the doors of Trader Joes....

"Hi." Why do people constantly stop and talk to me? Sometimes I just need to shop.

I really want that brie, no... I shouldn't eat that much soft cheese. I'll put it back.

Oooh, samples! I loooove samples. And its tortilla chips!

My purse is getting heavy, I need to hand it off.

I need more tortilla chips.

Sweet! A whole bag!

"Thank you." I KNOW my hair is amazing, there have to be other people out there with hair like this.

*smile* "Thank you". Yes, I am surprisingly, obviously, feminine. Thank you for saying I'm gorgeous. "This is Enzo." Maybe if I re-direct the attention....

Why do they say, "He's suuuuuuch a BOY!"?

The baby on my hip, plus shopping, plus this purse, plus trying to eat tortilla chips, plus the constant compliments...I'm getting grumpy.

Now I really want those organic, baked, cheetos. They are put into the cart.

Time to be rung up.

This is taking forever. I can't wait to get to the car to eat my cheetos.

"Thank you sir," I say with a nod. Yes, I know, its a good hair day, I'm precious, and I carry a purse.

I'll pay (hands over mom's old Costco card). Oh wait, my phone is ringing! It's Daddy.

"Ask him when he's coming home." Mommy says.

"Daddy, when you coming home? Oh. He says in 60 hours."

Mya and Jillienne do Trader Joes. The end.

Things I Never Thought I Would Say (or have to say)

You have to wear pants if you are going outside.

You can't have the toy, until you eat your meal. (Seriously thought I would NEVER feed my child a happy meal)

These are brussels sprouts. Can you have some? Yes, after you eat your ice cream. (In my defense, she had already eaten her very healthy dinner)

Yes, underwear are cool, but you don't need to show them to everyone!

Don't cry over spilled milk. (Apparently, chocolate milk spilled on your white socks is devastating)

Always be my baby...

It's bedtime, silence is coming....

"Mahhhhhhmmmm, will you wock me?"

"Yes honey, I'll be up in a minute." The dishes will have to wait.

This is the conversation I walked in on:

"But, whyyyyyyy, Daddy?"

"I called you baby, because you will always be my baby."

"No, Daddy, I your big girl."

That's Not an Ottoman!

Big news! Yesterday Enzo walked to me! It was pretty exciting to see his first steps that weren't forced upon him.

In an attempt to get him up on his feet on a regular basis I moved an ottoman into our family room.

When Mya saw it she asked, "What's dis, Mommy?"

"An ottoman, " I replied.

"Dat's not an otto-man, it's a stand up-jump to the couch- and go boom, thing," she informed me.

Splash

I know for certain that when kids are involved splashes are NEVER a good thing.

Did someone just over flow the sink?

Did someone just jump in the pool?

Did someone just dump a sippy cup?

This morning Mya "went potty." As I was about to assist with clean up I was bent over her and the toilet.

The next thing I know the fastest crawler this side of the Mississippi, bellies up to the toilet with ammo in hand. Before I could stop him he throws a baby bottle in the toilet just missing Mya's behind.

Splash! Toilet water (with poo in it, mind you) in both of my eyes.

Wanna play 52 card pick up?

When we were kids and you were asked this question, you learned quickly that saying "Yes!" only happened once with every person.

However, motherhood has forced me to say yes at least 4 times a day. With cards, blocks, play food, puzzle pieces, you name it. I swear they all have 52 pieces.

Someday I'll miss the 1 million squats I do a day. Someday I'll long for the pain of stepping on a puzzle piece barefoot. Someday I'll faintly hear the squeals of delight that follow dumping everything on the floor.

Today, I am grateful for all the "little messes" in my life.

All Hail, Princess Mya!

Mya just had a weekend full of family and fun. On Sunday morning she walked up to Antonio and announced, "Daddy, I'm a PRINCESS!"

He and I shared a glance over the top of her head, we aren't so sure how we feel about that.

Now which one of you kept calling her a princess all weekend?

Ahem, Jeb?!!??

I'll drive!

After a fun afternoon date with my little lady, we headed to the car in 90 degree heat. I opened my car door first to load some packages, big mistake.

Mya took this cue to attempt to get behind the wheel. "Mommy, I drive you home."

"No, honey you aren't old enough yet. You have to be 16 then I will let you drive. You have to get bigger. Lets count to see how big 16 is." Meanwhile she is screaming and crying as I pin her into the carseat.

Then tonight she was going to bed and told Antonio, "I can't drive. Mommy says no. I need to get bigger and then bigger."

WANTED

We are days away from finalizing Enzo's adoption. I cannot believe that the time has passed so quickly.

I needed to pause for a moment and thank the Powers that Be, who brought this gorgeous, lovable, momma's boy into our lives.

We are blessed.

No Hablo Espanol

I just recently had a wonderful Saturday with a few of my mommy friends. We were out to lunch WITHOUT our 2's and accompanied only by our sleeping infants. This meant a REAL discussion could possibly happen!

All of these women are stay-at-home moms that also work in their "free" time. Either juggling schedules with their husbands or taking their kids with them to work. I am amazed at their stamina day in and out, and they even have enough energy to have a conversation! One thing these busy women all complain about is having time to clean the house, and the following conversation transpired.

(Names have been changed to protect identity)

Louise, "I think I'm going to try and get my cleaning lady back."

Mikayla, "The woman I nanny for has a wonderful one. The only problem is she only speaks Spanish and I have no idea how to tell her to get to my house."

Surprisingly long pause....

Betty, "Well, I've been watching a lot of Dora lately."

I like big butts, AND I cannot lie.

I think we have entered the stage of brutal honesty with no filter.

Mya rushes up to me from behind....

With her hand in a perfect position, tapping to every syllable, on my booty....

"Thats....a....big....butt."

Astonished, I gasp, "What did you just say?"

Louder and still tapping, "THAT'S A BIG BUTT!"

I started running again the next day.

"Senior" pictures

I remember vividly being the little girl who just wanted to be GROWN UP. I know my mom will vouch for this. Luckily, you can't wish away your childhood and adolescence so I was able to ride the waves in becoming an adult.

Mya shows signs of being just like me as she ADORES older girls and watching their every move. Today I took the kids to a park to try and get some pics of Enzo. At the site there was a girl getting her senior pictures taken. Mya was watching her every move. As the teen perched herself on the ledge on her stomach my took it all in. The next thing I know she is doing a similar pose.

I had to capture the moment. The teen's mom looked at me and said, "It will be great to come back here and have the same picture taken again when she is 18."

I agreed.

Privacy is not an option

As many of you know Mya is now potty-trained. I was quite proud of myself for teaching her such a valuable skill. I rank this right up there with reading, sharing, and ability to apologize. So to reward myself I plan to buy my first pair of designer jeans. We'll see how that works out.

Today I attempted to go to the restroom alone. I have to quickly shut the door as I hear Enzo's very manly, stomp of a crawl coming towards me. Then I hear Mya start to open the door.

Mya says, "Mommy! You went potty?!?! GREAT. JOB. MOMMY!"

Sadly, I enjoyed the praise. Even a two-year-old can make you feel good about yourself.

Shhhhh, Mommy!

While cleaning the kitchen this morning, Mya was working in her "office". I informed her that her friend, Lilly was coming over after she was done volunteering at church, and she was thrilled.

I needed to hear some music so I turned on There's Hope by India Arie. We smiled at each other as this is OUR SONG (I doubt she knows that, but I do!) then for some reason the Itunes switched to Tipsy by J-Kwon.

For those of you who are unfamiliar to the song it is a catchy tune about drinking in the club. I was dancing around as I wiped the counters and sang along, "1, here comes the 2 to the 3, e'rybody in the club drunk as me" when I hear....

"Mommy! Shhhhhhhh. Ninny is at church!"

Apparently Mya now knows when songs are inappropriate. Time to be a stickler about the playlist.

Dear God...

Mya has always been drawn to the act of prayer. Before she could talk she was always thrilled to clap her hands in "prayer position", smile up and me, and hang on my every word. Soon she started exclaiming, "AMEN!"

Then her prayers progressed into requests to "Dear God, keep Wobby safe." "Dear God, thank you for Ninny (Lilly)." She also proclaimed her love for her birth mommy, one that always melts our hearts.

Now she loves for everyone around the table to hold hands and she leads us in a prayer. These have been some of the latest prayer requests:

"Dear God, thank you for binkies and this food, AAAAAmen. Let's eat!"

"Dear God, thank you for cheerios, for family, and love, AAAAAmen!. Let's eat!"

On The 12 Days of Vacation

My True loves gave to me:

12 hours between two carseats, sitting on one butt cheek

11 giggles with aunts and uncles

10 Mosquito bites, mostly on Antonio

9 pounds gained

8 Nights sleeping, never alone, and never with Antonio

7 sighs after having to break into the house at 1:30 am

6 hours rubbing feet (please go to sleep Mya!)

5 Oatmeal cream pies

4 beers at nap time

3 projectile pukes

2 new teeth

1 quarter stuck in the CD player!

No Mountain Too Steep

While playing with Mya, Enzo discovered a new skill. Apparently he can "rock climb". As I spotted my little man perched on this toy, I gasped. What to do next?

Obviously, run to get the camera...then take him down.

How Day, Mommy?

When Mya sits down to the table for a snack or a meal she always asks, "How day, Mommy?" It sparks a conversation about our activities and is a great teachable moment.

After her nap she sat down with a bowl of shells and cheese (she was really hungry today) for snack. I was particularly grumpy after spending an hour putting her in time-out, after time-out, as she did not want to go to sleep. At 2:40 she gave in and went to bed without tears.

So when she asked, "Mommy, how day?"

I replied, "Well Mya, I'm really frustrated because you cry so much at bed time and I had to put you in time out."

She sheepishly looked down at her spoon, then returned her big, brown-eyed-gaze to me and said, "I'm sorry, Mommy."

I then asked why she cries at bedtime. Her response was that she just isn't ready to sleep. I used this moment to remind her who was in charge. I could tell she felt real bad.

I then asked her, "Mya what should you say when Mommy says it is time for bed?"

Huge smile, head tilted to the side, cute as can be..."Okay, Mommy!"

We'll see if it actually happens.

You Look Like You Need A Cookie

Today I thought I would do something for myself, so I went to Panera for a 5th cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich.

While in my moment of Zen I was feeding Enzo a jar of pears between his obsessive chomps on a straw, encouraging Mya to drink through her straw not her plastic knife, then cutting up half of my sandwich for her to eat, while she stole the bacon right out from under my nose.

A nice gentleman that worked at Panera came up to my table and said, "I usually give these to the pregnant women, but you have a lot going on, and I thought you would enjoy this."

The large chocolate chip cookie, that I did NOT share, went great with my 6th cup of coffee.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

So, I have previously written about how Mya has given up the binky. We did this for the sole reason that she was biting off the tip and we couldn't justify putting her to bed with a choking hazard.

Meanwhile, the terrible twos have been pretty bad. Fits lasting an hour at a time with nothing to stick in her mouth to calm her down. Bed times taking an hour to accomplish. Waking at least 3 times a night.

We are tired, we are out of options so we caved. However, we changed the binky style in hopes that she won't bit the tip off anymore.

Mya -1 : Mommy and Daddy-O

Deal, or No Deal?

Mya is constantly coming up with new ways to question me, although the constant, and whiney "Whyyyy?" that most toddlers take on, has yet to surface.

I would say the majority of the time Mya asks before she does something she is unsure of, something I am very proud to have taught her. (blind luck)

Today she said, "I kick ball Mommy, deal?"

I clairified, "Deal?"

She replied, "Yeah, deal?"

I confirmed, "Deal".

She kicked it...far.

Walkie Talkie

Mya wakes up from her nap first on most days.  Her favorite thing to do when she hears Enzo waking is to run to the monitor and inform him that we are coming!  

Translation: "We're coming, Buddy! We're coming! One, minute, Enzo.  Love, you.  We're coming!"

Binky?

Mya has officially quit the binky.  She has gone two whole weeks without one day or night. Yesterday, things got interesting.  She found one in an old stroller and promptly ran to me with it in her mouth.  After choosing not to fight the battle I let her keep it.  She ran outside and hid in the back of the bushes against the fence and had quality time with her beloved.

After a HUGE fit after nap time, I promptly snipped the tip (Mean Mommy!).  And we were done.  She went to bed without crying last night and has not asked for it again.  

Enzo on the other hand has one but isn't MAD about it like Mya was at this age.  However, he gets creative sometimes with the puzzle pieces.

Surprise, surprise

Sometimes I take a picture of Enzo and am struck at how familiar it is.   He and Mya can really look identical!  You be the judge.

'Zo Man

Enzo has been given a few nicknames and Mya has taken to them very well, you never know which one she is going to call him. Here is the list:

'Zo Man

'Zo-'Zo

Enzo Baby

'Zo Baby

Boo-Boo

'Zo-'Zo The Baby Man

I can't believe how IN LOVE I am with this little guy.  I have to post these pics of his smile because I am just certain it is going to take him far.  

My Resume

Pulling out of the driveway today Mya told Enzo,  "Daddy go working in his office, Mommy drinks coffee."

Ouch.  She knows not what she says, I tell myself.

"Mya, does Mommy go working?"

"Ummm, yeah."

"What do I do?"

"You pick up Enzo and give him happy face."

I feel better. 

QUINN!

Our big excitement for the day was our new friend Quinn, Robby's little brother, being born.

Mya made all her bedtime calls and informed everyone of the special delivery.

Before heading to bed she lifted my shirt and asked, "Mommy, you got a Quinn in there?"

Congratulations, to the growing family!

So, Who Are You?

Uncle Bubba/Jeb is back living in the mid-west with Aunt Neezie/Annette while he is a Graduate student.  This was their first weekend home in a long time and he decided to explain a few things to Mya.

Mya loves a good explaination, as long as it isn't too long winded and you let her talk a little in between.  Here is what went down:

Bubba says, "So Mya, did you know that your Mommy is my sister?"

Mya says, "My sister?"

Bubba responds, "No, she's my sister.  I'm her little brother.  I'm your Mommy's Enzo!"

Mya corrects him, "No Enzo is my Enzo!"

Its Mya's world and we all just live in it.  

The Choices We Make When We are 18

I apologize in advance this is a lovey-dovey post, not so much funny.

Most of you know I fell in love with Antonio when I was 18 years old.  I frequently think of memories of that time and I hardly recognize the people we once were.  I am grateful for the growth we have achieved. I am even more grateful that the biggest decision of my life was not wasted on an immature notion that this boy would make an amazing man someday.

Phew!  Today that same boy is an amazing friend, support, father, and a man that is always good for a laugh.

Together we have made friends, lost some, travelled, been through heartache and now pure joy.

I love you, Tonio.  Thanks for not making a fool of that 18 year old girl, and for being an amazing father.  Happy Father's Day!

Safety Patrol

I thought that once buckled into the safety of your carseat that the little details of what is going on around you were insignificant.

Little did I know that Mya was watching my every move.

As we backed out of the driveway the other day she exclaimed, "Mommy, belt-seat ON!" I promptly clicked my seatbelt into place and we went on our way.

I quietly thanked my lucky stars that I have a child that safety checks and always makes sure her little brother is in the car with us.

Fast forward a couple of days and we are visiting Dindah. With Grandma/Dindah behind the wheel I was slow to buckle up. My mom, the original Safety Patrol, asks Mya, "What does Mommy need?"

Mya replies, "Lipstick."

Confession of a Stay-At-Home-Mom

My least favorite stereotype of a housewife/SAHM is that we sit around watching soap operas and eating bon-bons.

My confession is that recently I have gotten into watching One Life To Live.  And only sometimes do I do laundry while watching.

But I have no idea what a bon-bon is, do I get credit for that?

Sit down Little Man

Enzo is still only 6 months old and his physical abilities are amazing me every day.  For those of you who do not know, the doctor said it is extremely rare for a 6 month old to be crawling.  

I have a friend/strength and conditioning coach who I have all but signed a contract with once he promised he could make Enzo a Buckeye.

Now he is pulling up on everything and trying to move from one object to the next.  At first I kept trying to have him sit down for fear of chasing him everywhere.  

I realized yesterday what I want for my son: Don't ever let anyone tell you to sit down!

(Unless it's your teacher, then you better sit, Mister!  Oh, or Jim Tressel...you do whatever he tells you to do.)

Where do babies come from?

With Mya's two best friends having little siblings in the same month she has been around a lot of growing bellies.  Yesterday Momma B, as Mya calls her, had Mya put her hand on her belly to feel the baby moving.  She asked Mya if she knew what was growing in there.  Mya, wide-eyed, had no response.  When B responded with, "Robby's little brother!"  She pulled her hand  away quickly and said, "Mommy, you touch it!"

After a VERY large dinner, Mya was getting ready for her bath.  She pointed to her surprisingly big belly and I said, "Wow, just like B! What's growing in B's belly?"  

She answers, "_____". (Sorry they aren't divulging the baby name to everyone)

I then asked, "What's growing in your belly?"

Mya says, "Noodles" and runs to the bath tub.

What's Your Baby's Name

Mya has several babies that she has been mothering for months now.  Their names were always Baby.  Recently she has slowly started naming them.  First there was Melva, after her favorite sitter at the YMCA.  Then Eva, after her best-girlfriend's baby sister.  Then last night on our way to get ice cream I asked, "Your name is Mya, what is the baby's name?"  She replied with "Zheek"  (to be read with a French accent, like Jacque).

I said, "Zheek, what a great name!"

Mya looks down at her baby and says, "Nice to meet you, Zheek!"

Stank

Antonio-isms, many of you know them, and love them dearly.  I plan to document as many as I can now.

Antonio looks at his friend, Nate, who is making a face after being asked to paint the trim on a house they were volunteering to paint.  Antonio asks him, "Is that your stank face?"  

He then goes on to tell Nate that he learned what that was from a show called So You Think You Can Dance.  

I'm pretty sure Nate laughed AT him.

The S@%T Hit the Floor

June 16th, 2009 was a crazy day for me.  It started out normal, although slow moving.  I never should have said out loud, "Man, today is going by so slowly!"  As a friend, staying home on paternity leave, offered to take Mya and his daughter to the park I was over joyed at the opportunity to talk about something other than sharing, why hitting is NOT something we do, or begging for the word please after every command.  

The toddlers were delivered back hungry and worn out.  We enjoyed a lunch together and they went on their way.  Time for naps!!!  Somehow in the hub-ub the front door blew open.  Sophie made a dash.  I did not notice she was gone until the door being wide open caused a breeze.  Mya and I rushed outside to find her and she was no where in sight.  I made the decision to get the kids asleep and then come up with a plan to find Sophie. 

Mya is now in bed, playing with her bears, but in bed.  Enzo is getting his pre-nap bottle.  Mya opens the door.  I instruct her to get back into bed.  "But Mommy, I poopied!'  My patience is wearing thin, "Is your diaper still on?"  Sweetly, Mya replies, "No."

I rush upstairs, put a screaming and still hungry Enzo into his bed, and find Mya standing in her doorway.  Her pants are around her ankles, no diaper in sight, a pile of poo on the floor, and extremely messy hands.  "Where's your diaper?" I shrill.  "Over 'der."  After hunting I find the diaper.  "Did you poopie in the bed or on the floor?!?!" still sounding shrill.  Mya looks at me like I am the stupidest person in the world and says, "On the floor, Mommy."  Obviously, where the pile is.  We wash up, Enzo is still screaming, I change her clothes, get the poop cleaned up, pause to wonder if Sophie has been eaten by an animal by now, and get Mya back into bed.  Enzo finally gets to finish his bottle and goes to sleep.  Silence.  

I call the dad-friend still on paternity leave who comes to sit with the kids while I try to find Sophie.  Luckily, I find some neighbors willing to drive around the neighborhood yelling her name.  They have success, finding her with a family of two little boys that wanted to keep Sophie.  I would love to hear her side of the story.

Copy Cat?

I have been inspired to create this blog by a very creative friend and the ever growing collection of quotes from both Mya and Antonio.  I can see it in Enzo's eyes that he can't wait to say funny things, for now I'll just write about his ever growing physical strength and what he manages to "get in to".  Sometimes my day as a stay-at-home mom is funny to many so I'll throw a couple zingers in as well.

So here we go family and friends, I hope this entertains you.