18 Months, Just Not a Fan

There are people who look at toddlers and whistfully say, "Oh I just *LOVE* that age!"

WHAAATTT?? I am convinced that when someone confides in me, after looking at little Miss 18 Months, that they "L-O-V-E" that age-- they are clearly having a short-term memory lapse of what having an 18 month old is like. It is tantrums, and teething, and "MINE!", and "ME DO" and refusals and whining.

It's watching every second because, unlike her brothers, she CLIMBS on EVERYTHING. She is fearless in a way her brothers never were! Let's stand on the kitchen table! Let's jump off the bed! Let's pull the dog's tail--HARD! (Good Buster!!) Let's just never stop moving. Run, Walk, Climb, Pull, Push!

In your eyes Little Corinna, I know it must be hard to be 18 months. Razor sharp teeth are trying to poke their way through your soft gums. You know what you want, but no real way to communicate it. You have a few words, but not enough for us silly grown-ups to decipher. You have no idea what the big deal is if you are standing on the table, holding a glass, or grabbing for knives. You do NOT want to be slowed down for a diaper change OR be buckled in the car seat.

BUT-there are the glimmers of hope that it's not permanent. That it's not all bad...Like when you sleep like an angel in your crib (your brothers never did) sucking your thumb and never far from bun-bun. Or when you light up when you hear daddy come through the front door. Or the run-across-the-room-to-tackle-hug-you move. Or the sweet sound of humming before you fall asleep. Or when you make a joke out of asking everyone in the house to nurse. It's chasing your brothers and watching them give you whatever you want simply because you are cute as anything.

I know that the next year will be rough...welcome terrible twos...followed by the often less pleasant threes. But then, all of the sudden, something changes. Like a magic wand. I know the tantrums will stop (most of them) the watch-like-a-hawk phase dies down, and the 'NO! NO!" goes away mostly. And the funny, energetic, playful side of you will get a chance to shine. But as for now, at 18 months, not a fan........

Signs of Summer

Oh summer time. I love it! I don't quite get to live the 'lazy-do-nothing' days of my childhood (or, heck even last summer was lazier!) but there are certain signs of summer I love. I'll spare you the pictures of the boys peeing outside-which is their most favorite thing in the world to do in summer. The heatwave of last week broke and the breezy high 70s weather of today made it a huge treat. Finding a snake SKIN as opposed to the actual snake....priceless!!

ice pops, playing outside, bubbles...you know you love it...

Best part about that picture...I didn't pose them! They chose to sit that way...awww.

"Mom, look at the funny face, mooooommmmm, loookit this face! MomMomMom, look another face!Mom, Mom"

Talk about mad chalk skillz.

Well, she is my daughter, so there was no guarantee that she'd know the difference between soccer, baseball, basketball...

I love the yard after a good day's play. See the BIG shed, that's where mommy snake hides with her two baby snakes. Oh what fun playing the 'will or won't we see them' when we open the door.

Outdoor Pokemon battle. Fine by me...fresh air does wonders.

What says summer nights more than catching some lightning bugs??  Aidan was KING CATCHER. He did great. Lightning bugs it turns out, are not the stealth get awayers that their cousins the house flies are. About 20 came in the house, and about 17 ended up in the ceiling in our bedroom.

Fun at the park with friends.