Sami (We're Really the Ferraro Five Now!)

I haven't blogged about Sami.

I could post a huge list of reasons why but I won't bore you. I'm sure you can imagine what life was like with 3 kids 3 and under, now 4 and under.

It has been nothing short of chaotic, beautiful, frustrating, fulfilling, a nightmare and magical.

But oh, how did I ever live a single day without this beautiful, little girl in my life.

Some things that I don't want to forget, but know that I may:

1. Your mouth smells like how I imagine heaven. Sweet, warm, like a candy cloud... and makes my heart skip a beat.

2. Your smile makes me feel like the most important person in the world.

3.Your ability to fall asleep anywhere is beyond helpful.

4.Your eyes are so dark that I see my reflection in them, reminding me to be the best mother I can to you.

5. Your hand on mine is the most amazing contrast of colors both a sign of beauty and the long road we will be on together as we teach others it is okay to be different.

6.Your laugh. You laugh at my laugh it feels like the most give and take of my life as I lose track of who started it and I know I don't want it to stop.

7. You stomp your right leg to the beat and music calms you.

8. You sing along when your daddy sings you Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

9. When I lay you in your bed you smile up at me and roll to your side. When I come to check on you later you have shimmied so you are head to toe at the width of the bed...that is how you are most comfortable.

10. You have officially proven that it is impossible to fall in love only "so many" times, my heart is larger, my dreams for the future bigger, and my drive to be the one to give you all you need to be your best self, is stronger than ever before.

Little Samia, thank you for choosing us to be your parents.

Anatomy

Okay I may take it a little too far but I believe in complete honesty and factual description of what we politely call "our private areas."

It is my goal to protect my children from predators, young and old and to have an open line of communication when it comes to all things....all things.

Does it make me uncomfortable, yes. Does it make Antonio uncomfortable....absolutely. We do it for future Mya, future Enzo, and future Sami, we want them to be comfortable with themselves and their bodies, and comfortable talking with us about all that stuff that parents wish they could ignore.

Enzo is now potty training and after I corrected Antonio's attempt at calling a penis a "peanut" we have settled on what sounds like pea-nuss. Close enough.

The other morning Mya was perched on the couch with her cinnamon toast and ice water as Enzo was getting dressed. As he pulled on his Mickey Mouse underpants, Mya said:

"What if there was a pea-nuss that went all the way to the ceiling and someone cut it off (makes scissor motion with her hands)?"

I replied with, "Ouch! Well, people don't usually (try and tell me you aren't thinking about Lorena Bobbitt right now) cut off penises."

To which she said, "Oh, so you don't cut pea-nusses or hair."

Phew, that covers a couple of my fears.

Solving Problems

The other day both Mya and Enzo woke up with colds. No big surprise but the conversation that went on was nothing short of text-book sibling rivalry....

Mya (clutching fake money and credit cards that came with her new princess purse): "Enzo, I have a cold."

Enzo (in only underpants) "No you don't....I have a cold!"

Mya (still clutching money, now with a hand on her hip) "I DO TOO HAVE A COLD!"

Enzo: "No you don't."

Mya: (adds a stomp with her cowboy boot) "I do to have a cold. I'm going to throw my money!"

Me: "Mya, will throwing your money around solve your problems?"

Mya: "Yes. It will solve my problems, but it won't solve yours."

If only.....

Confessions of a Former Biter

I did it, okay?!?! She just kept taking that toy away. What was I supposed to do? In my head I heard my voice, "Hey! Give that back!" But when I open my mouth I am silenced. I mean I open it as wide as I can but instead of words I find my mouth closing in on the nearest inch of flesh I can find.

Yes! She dropped the toy!

Whoa...screeching, kicking, tears...MAKE IT STOP! She took MY toy, why is she crying?

Uh, oh. I hear stomping....its getting closer.....

Oomph, why is my mom carrying me out of the room? The screeching is following me. Geeze, Mom sure said NO really loudly. What followed NO? Was that biting? NO....BITING?!?!?!

Then it was like groundhog day, the same thing kept happening and happening. I was starting to hear, NO, BITING a lot. I just couldn't get my mouth to form the words and my sister always stopped if I used my teeth.

Then today, my sister wanted to touch my head while my mom changed me out of my pj's. I wasn't in the mood, I just wanted to get it over with so I could eat breakfast.

The next thing I know, I opened my mouth and out came, " Mya, no touch my head!" And she stopped.

Man, my mom has a pretty smile.

My Little Lie Uncovered HER Truth

As a mother I find myself telling little lies here and there to guide my kids in the right direction or to protect them from something. I surprise myself most times as lying does not come easy to me.

This morning on the way to pre-school I reminded Mya to eat her grapes. When she challenged me with her trademark, "Why?" I found a little lie bubbling up. My desire for her to consume every food group before going off to learn, led me down the dark path of mother-lies.

I heard women that came before me telling their child, "Eat your vegetables so you grow big/get muscles."

I knew Mya wasn't interested in big muscles so I lied with, "Eat your grapes, honey, because they keep your hair beautiful."

Both her hands opened up to the heavens, she looked at me like I was a moron, tilted her head to the side and said, "But my hair is already beautiful!"

Yes, you confident little child, it is. Don't ever let anyone ever tell you differently.

The Dating Game

Antonio and I recently celebrated our 9th anniversary. We were lucky enough to have grandparents in town who baby-sat while we enjoyed a date.

I got dolled up and came downstairs in my black dress and pretty heels. Mya stopped in her tracks, she is ALWAYS quick with the fashion confirmation.

"Oh, Mommy! You look so pretty! Where are you going?"

"On a date with Daddy, honey."

"Well, I really like your shoes."

The following Monday the kids were playing around and I heard Mya shuffling a bit with her purse items. She clomped over (wearing the heels I had on for my date) and informed me, "Melva and I are going on a date to the swingset. And Enzo is dating Boo-Berry."

They sprinted (yes she can sprint in any kind of shoe) to the swingset for their double date. I had a feeling of happiness as they see me dating their father as a wonderful thing.

I know that feeling will pass and they will soon be grossed out by us, and I will be longing for the days when they dated their dolls.

Never Drinking Again

I would describe Mya as a former milk addict. She had her box of vanilla milk first thing in the morning and then again right after nap. She would chug that thing down like she hadn't eaten all day. But the truth is she hadn't....

As soon as Mya turned 3 she stopped with the milk boxes and started eating! We are thrilled that meal time isn't as much of a struggle and love watching ALL the food groups get gobbled up.

The other night we went out to dinner then stopped for a family trip to Kroger. Antonio piled the kids in the Car Cart and off they went. I heard the kids ask in unison, "Daddy, MILKY please!" He promptly stopped in the organic section, reached for one chocolate and one vanilla, popped in the straws and we were off.

He said something to the effect of, that is so worth the peace and quiet while shopping.

Then it happened....we heard the groans....

Mya had begun clutching her stomach. "Ohhhhh, nooooo. Mommy, Daddy, why did you let me do this? I have no room for my milky. I'm NEVER. DRINKING.THAT.AGAIN!"

I know I've been there.