We're Baaaack!

Well, it looks like our blog went the way of the nice weather during the dog days of summer. I'm sure there are people out there who hang on my every word and for those people, I'm sure this has been a torturous summer. My apologies!

Today was Ben's first day of pre-school. He is in the Young 4's class at school and is once again a Dolphin. My friend, Jessica, is his lead teacher and the assistant teacher is Miss Jill. He is really enjoying them so far! I look so forward to watching him learn and grow this year. These pre-school years are so precious to me. Rex will start in the fall of 2010 if all goes well.

Rexy is growing like a weed. He's 7 months old and just as cute as a button. I'm beginning to see a temper on him though. He has no reservations about voicing his displeasure at some of my shenanigans, such as trying to cook dinner or trot off to the powder room without him. The nerve of some mothers. We're working on his attitude, but what can you really do with an infant? Not much, I'm learning.

Vanessa is coming home in October to go to the Heart2Heart conference with me. I can't wait! She was home in August for my birthday and we spent a wonderful week together with the boys (including Mike!). We hit all the required restaurants and made most requested home cooked meals. We watched movies and bonded. It was so special. I miss my girl and this may be the last year that she will have this kind of flexibility while she's living in NYC.

Okay, off to finish my wifely-motherly tasks while Rex takes a brief nap. I'll try to post more often now.

All is Quiet on the Western Front

I've missed a few days, so forgive me. Things have been jumping around here and it's been fun, if stressful at times.

Today, Ben had swim lessons at the Y. I've made the mistake the last few days and took Rex to the lesson with us. It's been so hot, it was just unbearable to try to keep him entertained while we waited for Ben. So today, I took Rex to ChildWatch and dropped him off to play while Ben and I went to the pool for his lesson. Genius! I got to watch Ben learn and Rex got undivided attention in the air-conditioned nursery.

After Ben's lesson, we got Ben changed into some warm, dry clothes and he and I went to the lobby and he had a snack and I had coffee and read the paper. Deirdre, a friend I don't see often enough, walked up and we got to chat for a while about the highs and lows of motherhood. How wonderful to share some of my thoughts and feelings from the last several days with someone who understands. It's so easy to think of yourself as a bad mother until you realize that what you're feeling is perfectly normal. Best of all, anything difficult that's happening is usually temporary and it will pass.

Since we got home, Rex has gone down for his nap and Ben is playing quietly in his room. I'm pretty exhausted after a not-so-great night's sleep, so it's nice to just sit here and blog before I move on to the next task. All is quiet right now. And at this moment, life is beautiful.

We started out the day going to the cleaners, then to Cool Cuts for Kids for a haircut for Ben. He loves playing with the trains they have set up in the play area!
He was having a little too much fun
Miss Leona gave him a snazzy new cut!

All smiles in the cool car

After the haircut and a trip to Starbuck's, we donated some items at Katy Christian Ministries. Hasta la vista to some of the clutter!

I was wracking my brain, trying to think of something new and different to do with the boys. I really didn't want to go to the mall...again. Then it dawned on me--the library! It's educational, fun, somewhat relaxing...perfect! So we headed over to our local branch over by La Centerra. I got a library card in short order and we went to the children's area. They have a really neat area with rocking chairs, tables, and toys for the kids. Ben browsed lots of books and chose one to check out.

Ben reading the latest issue of Nick Jr.

Rex and I perusing Nick Jr. after Ben "read" it

After the library, we headed to WalMart to pick up some odds and ends, then hit up McDonald's for a happy meal for Ben and Whataburger for a happy meal for me.

When we got home, the boys napped while I worked around the house. We had a pleasant evening after Mike got home and now everyone's in bed, but me.

Mike is off Friday and I'm looking so forward to a nice, long weekend with he and the boys. Burgers, steaks, brats, and hot dogs are on the menu. Should be a great 4th of July!

Back in the Saddle

I'm way behind on blogging! We've had a busy last few days and I've been a bit more tired than usual, so I've slipped. I'll try to encapsulate Friday - today:

Friday, Ben, Rex, and I went to, you guessed it, Katy Mills mall:Let's roll!
We all rode the new train they have around the mall. Ben LOVES trains.

Did I mention Ben loves trains?

Friday evening, we had the pleasure of having dinner with our friend, Keli and her son Braden, who is Ben's age. Ben and Braden played in the sandbox at Victor's Mexican restaurant and Keli got to give Rex a cuddle and we all ate to our hearts content! I regret, there are no pictures of the boys or of my delicious chimichanga. :(

Saturday, we went to one of Ben's friend's birthday party. Ella and her parents hosted a splendid affair. Mike and Ben took part in swimming in the pool and we all noshed on burgers, hot dogs, and other yummy stuff. It was a great time.

Saturday evening, I went to my friend, Holly's baby shower. Another friend, Elaine, hosted us and it was an absolutely beautiful shower. The Barefoot Contessa has nothing on Elaine! Turkey breast, sausage, pasta salad, and field greens were on the menu, as well as some fantastic appetizers and cupcakes from Ooo La La Bakery that were as big as my head.

Cupcakes!!! There were Bunny Boo (carrot cake), German Chocolate, Strawberry, Velvet Elvis (red velvet cake), & some kind of Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate concoction that sounds like something I'd like as my last meal. Elaine made the cupcake stand out of platters and bowls. Beautiful!

Sunday, I took Rex to church for the first time since he was dedicated on Mother's Day and he stayed in the nursery. He did really well and was happy to spend some time with the nice lady that was caring for the babies that morning.

That afternoon, we went to Saltgrass for a late birthday lunch with Mike's parents and sister to celebrate Mike's dad, John's birthday. After lunch we came back to our house and had cake!

Ben with PaPa singing Happy Birthday
PaPa & Ben after the blowing-out of the candles
Ben ate a HUGE piece of cake
After cake, Aunt Melissa & NaNa got into the Wii. Ben and Melissa played a mean game of tennis!

Monday, we went to Inflatable Zone with Kaitlyn and Valerie and let the kids go crazy.

Ben on the giant slide!

We went to Chik Fil A for lunch after Inflatable Zone and they had all kinds of fun activities for the kids. Valerie was trying to get Ben to pose for me, but she had to eventually restrain him and it turned into a laughing matter.

That afternoon, we came home and I'd had about enough of Rex's Ed Grimley impression. That hair just had to go. Part of me felt bad about cutting my baby's hair, but he seemed so happy after I did it. I don't think he liked his 3 inch comb-over anymore.

Before

After!

All smiles and a cooler head!

Today, we went to Chuck E Cheese and met up with my friend, Franky and her little boy, Dante, who is great buds with Ben. The boys ran around like little maniacs and had a ball while Franky and I caught up with each other and kept Rex entertained. It was a wonderful time and I had to ask myself why I waited so long to reach out and ask Franky to get together! She's a wonderful friend and I've missed her.

Both boys took good naps this afternoon and I got lots done around the house. Once Mike got home, I went to meet with some people, then went to the grocery store, so I don't have to drag the boys there tomorrow in the heat or, possibly the rain.

So that's it! I hope everyone had a great weekend!

On the Go

I'm quite pleased with myself today! We got on the road by about 10 a.m. to run some errands. We went to Party City, Babies R Us, and Home Depot (Ben's favorite!).

After Home Depot, I was dreading going back home and trying to do anything at home to entertain the boys for the rest of the day. I called Donna and Selene to see if they wanted to hit up Rat Palace (code word for Chuck E Cheese), but they had gone to the beach. I decided to go ahead and take Ben back to the play area at Katy Mills mall. He really needed to have some fun. Ben: Ready to Roll! Nice back up shades, Buddy!
Ben on the back of the blue car at KMM
Hey, baby, goin' my way?
I have no words. And apparently, neither does Ben.

Collapsing with utter play area joy.

No pictures please. Can a kid eat a hot dog in peace?

Rex napped during lunch in the Covered Wagon of a stroller. Genius timing!

I'm learning to love The Covered Wagon

Ben got to ride the carousel twice in one week! He's such a big boy. He tried to get on his horse all by himself, but the nice man behind him helped him get up there while I stayed outside the gate with Rex in the stroller.

When we got home, Rex played in his jumperoo. For the longest time, he couldn't touch the ground, but he can now get a toe on the floor and is able to bounce like a maniac on that one toe! Go, Rexy, go! Show that jumperoo who's boss!

This is my project for tomorrow. This is our coffee table. This is unacceptable.

I put both boys down for a nap after we got home. They were just wiped out (thank you, God). I used the time to my advantage to make dinner, some shortcut spaghetti. Mike's on his way home and we've got lots to do tonight. So it'll be go, go, go after dinner. But at least dinner's already cooked for the most part!

The Love of a Child

Today was pretty uneventful, but it was productive. The boys and I made a trip to the grocery store together and, although it was brutally hot, we made it in and out pretty easily and hey, we accomplished our daily goal to get out of the house.

I'm feeling introspective this evening, so instead of writing about the mundane things we did around the house today, I'll write more about what's on my mind, or rather I should say who's on my mind. Ben.

I never believed my parents when my brother and I would ask them which of us they loved more. They always said they loved us equally. Some days I thought they loved me more and some days I thought they loved my brother more. It wasn't until I became a parent to more than one child that I believed it was possible to love your children equally, but to also appreciate their differences.

Ben is my sensitive child. From the day he was born, he's always been a bit more serious than your average kid. Even as an infant, he didn't smile much and always seemed to be in a tizzy about something. As a toddler, he had a frightening habit of banging his head on the floor or any other hard surface and screaming at the top of his lungs to show his frustration. I remember worrying about how he was going to survive in this world. He seemed too tender and too vulnerable to be able to deal with life's blows.

As Ben grew and started pre-school, he began to change little by little, but still maintain his sensitive nature. He became very social and really enjoyed other children his age. I noticed that, for the most part, he lacked the aggressiveness that some little boys experience as they are learning to be social. He was easily led and happily followed and mimicked other kids. If someone pushed him or took something away from him, he seemed to defer to them. He wasn't a wimp. He didn't come crying to me about it. He just seemed okay with others taking the lead.

I remember when I was about to deliver Rex. I was worried, secretly, that Rex would take center stage as the cute, tiny baby and that my feelings for Ben might change after I had a cuddly infant again. I'm embarrassed to admit that I worried about that. But I'm a champion at having irrational fears, so... It turns out that my fears were unfounded. For some reason, Ben and I have grown closer since Rex was born. He helps me by bringing me diapers and bottles and toys for Rex. When I am trying to hide my frustration with a crying baby, he gives me the most unexpected and needed hugs. When I'm so tired I can't move, but still have to clean the kitchen, do the laundry, or get dinner on the table, he wraps those tiny arms around my waist and says, "I love you, Mama". There is nothing that lifts my spirits more than when Ben says he loves me or thanks him for making him a peanut butter sandwich or tells me "Great job, Mama!" when I water the flowers on the deck.

Most days, he follows me around like a little duckling following his Mama duck. You'd think it would drive me nuts and there are rare moments that it does. But I love it more often than not. We are bonded.

It's funny. When I was pregnant with Ben, I remember thinking there was no way I could love another child as much as I loved Vanessa. Turns out there's more room in this mother's heart for the boundless love of this child. I love life's surprises.