My Wy-guy

My little buddy,

I am not sure how you got to be five years old so quickly. It seems like just yesterday I was feeling you kick inside my tummy. You continue to be one of the coolest people I have ever met.

I am a little nervous about you being five, dude. I can remember things my mom said when I was five. I have always chalked my "bad mama" moments up to the fact you probably won't remember them, but that is all changing now. I hope the things you remember me saying this year are about how proud I am of you. We have had some interesting talks lately. You told Ella that guys call there penises, nuts. And I felt compelled to set you straight. Daddy was surprised at how I explained things, but I think if you want to call your testicles, nuts, that is your deal. I just wanted you to have the facts. It is my hope, you trust me to tell you the facts, all of them. Even if they are funny and make us giggle.

You told me the other day, that it is time for us to get a baby in my tummy. It's amazing to me that you would want to risk getting another sister, but you said it's worth the risk. You also added that it would be super cool to get twin sisters. And to that son, I have to say, Mommy might have to go live in a padded room. I think siblings 13 months apart is plenty close enough.

I know how smart you are, but sometimes it just floors me. I think it is the man gene that makes you be able to remember the smalled details about a trip to Missoula three years ago, but not be able to find your shoes in middle of the floor in your room. Just as I am often sure that the man gene has ruined you, you show me how kind and loving you can be with your sisters when I am least expecting it.

We have had several conversations about "girlfriends" lately. You are convinced you are going to marry a girl named Jenna from your Pre-K class. She is a sweet little girl...precocious too. She told me when I was picking you up from VBS that you were going to fight for her hand and if you win you will be able to marry her. Oh little girl, it won't be my guy...it will be you fighting for my baby!

You start Kindergarten in a matter of weeks. I am not sure how to feel about it. It's so exciting to think of all the adventures you will meet in the years to come. But it feels like school is a slippery slope. First it's two days a week for pre-school and then POOF! I will be helping you rent a tux for prom, or apply to colleges. However, I know your world is going to explode when you learn to read; so so exciting. You have been "studying" (your word) all summer. Having you out of the house five days a week is going to crazy for me. I can't promise I won't cry a little. Mostly excited tears but there will be a few sad ones in there too.

Your fifth birthday was your first "kid-only" party. You fell backwards off a swing and knocked your wind out about 18 seconds into the party. I thought you were going to have to go to the ER, but you pulled it together after you and Daddy went away to have a "chat". You are tough. Way tougher than your daddy and I know.

You make me proud almost every day. You make being a mommy easy stuff and have taught me how to forgive. Life with you is unconditional love on a new level. I love you Wyeth.

QOTD

Fara is saying, "Oh my gosh...." about everything. It's by far one of my proudest parenting moments.
Cute thing!

My girls...

Wyeth has started playing outside more now that the warm weather has finally arrived to stay. He is only five and is pretty good about checking in from time to time, but still! How is he big enough to go outside alone?
One of the biggest results of Wy being outside, is that the girls are in the house - together - without him. They seem to notice each other more without him here.
Just now, both girls came to me carrying princess dress-up dresses. Pink for Ella and purple for Fara. Ella told me, "Fara is ready to be a princess because I am a princess too."
That right there is some fancy three year old reasoning. It's quite cute.

EMH ~ 3 years

My sweet girl,

When I was pregnant with you I worried that I wouldn't know what to do with a baby girl, and all that changed the minute I held you. You looked at me with your giant blue eyes and I was forever changed by you.

You have known what you wanted from your earliest moment and you have never been afraid to squawk to get what you need. Daddy and I called you the baby pterodactyl when you were a baby. I am not kidding, you sounded just like one.

It seems impossible to play favorites as a mother, but I can remember being up with you in the middle of the night feeling our mother/daughter bond so strongly, and wondering if maybe you would overrun my whole heart.

Today you are three. I am not sure where the time has gone. You are just as sweet as ever, but tenacious just starts to describe your determination. You exasperate me on a regular basis. It's nothing to ask for something 150 times if that's what it takes to get my attention. You have a knack for the drama, and most recently have taken to stomping your foot for effect.
We talked for weeks about what kind of birthday party theme you wanted. You started with Scooby Doo and I even found a pink Scooby Doo cake. But you changed to a kitty party and then it became a princess party. We finally landed on a "princess kitty" theme.

Ella-bella you made Daddy and I so proud at your party. You spoke to all your guests and let everyone play with your stuff. The best was while you were opening gifts, you made sure to thank the person personally after opening each gift. It was surely princess behavior if I do say so myself.

You made a haul of dress-up clothes and make-up. You are as girlie as the day is long, but you aren't afraid to play with Wy's boy stuff and get dirty.

And now for the...

25 Ella Fact @ 36 months

1. Paci and Nighket a must when in bed.
2. You love eggs.
3. All other meat is passed over.
4. Bread is your favorite part of any burger or sandwich.
5. You finally are asking for water instead of juice.
6. You are quick to apologize if you think it's needed.
7. You love to play with Wyeth, but are warming up to playing alone with Fara.
8. You like to have "hair-pretties".
9. You like a snack first thing in the warming.
10. You weigh 24 pounds.
11. Talking on you play-phones is a major pass-time.
12. You are a show-off in front of Wy's friends.
13. Wonder Pets and Dora are your favorite shows.
14. You are a snuggle bug.
15. You are still wearing a pull-up at night. And it is wet almost every morning.
16. Being on the go with Mama is very important to you.
17. You hate to be told to look for something. You often will just stomp in a circle and say you can't find it.
18. You must dress yourself, but still let me pick-out your clothes.
19. You like the word stupid, and are quite clever when you use it.
20. You like kitties and Grannie got you a giant white one for your b-day.
21. You didn't want to name your kitty.
22. Crying is your weakness.
23. You have to potty during every meal.
24. Your hair is getting longer and longer.
25. You will always be my sweet princess girl.

I love you Elizabeth. You are my sunshine on many days.

Three can't come fast enough...

Grrr.

Ella has been showing me glispes of how wonderful three is going to be. She is more communicative and less emotional with every passing day. We have been busy planning her 3rd biethday party. I couldn't get her to commit to a theme, so we landed on a kitty princess party.

Five on the other hand...I am not so sure about Wy-guy and five. Geesh.

QOTD

First thing this morning, I was still in bed snuggling with my babies, when Ella started asking for a snack. Tom was in the room getting ready for work, so I him to get Ella a snack.
He sighed loudly and said in a serious voice, "Donde, I'm late."
I replied, "You're pregnant?"
"Noooooooo", Wyeth said bursting into a deep belly laugh.

I think I am funny.

Argh...

I am back in the place where I feel like I am a horrible mom. I am doing the best by my kids, but there are always feelings I could be doing better.
I am having a moment. Wyeth just told me I am the best mom ever earlier today. It's striking to me how deeply I want happiness for the kids. I want to both be perfect and have the kids to just know that I am not perfect. How do I show them that?

QOTD

"No goggy, no eatin' my dessstin." Fara

She is a little bossy boss.