Today...

My children today... Oh my. To be fair, we had one hell of an illness hit our home late last week and it left for a slow Christmas Day, as we are still trying to recover fully. Also, it is the day after Christmas today. Much excitement yesterday, but Papa back at work today and an attempt at some semblance of normalcy caused a bit of whiplash for us all. Still. All day today the boys were bickering and picking on each other. All. Day. And when they weren't bickering with each other they were trying to bicker with me. Or else BC was sulking around about every possible thing he could think of and AL was acting like a cat - knocking shit off of shelves and the table, staring at me while doing something he knows to be a no-no. You know, a cat. All. Day. Here's an example of but one of the lovely scenes from today:

BC was sitting on the kitchen floor trying to put together the food processor (yes, I had taken the blade out. No, don't ask any follow up questions). AL saunters up.

AL: What's that?
BC: Go away.
AL: Does this go here?
BC: Go away.
AL: Does this go here?
BC: Go away.
AL: Does this go here?
BC: Go away!
AL: Does this go here? Does this go here?
BC: Leave me alone!
AL: Meanie! Does this. go. here?!
BC: (shoves AL) Leave me alone - go away - get your fuzzy head away from me!
 -tears and shouts simultaneously ensue from both-

Now, I normally try to allow them to work out their issues themselves rather than run interference at every squabble. But this type of interaction over and over and over and over and over again really put me off my game. We started bedtime at 4:15 PM today and I'm not even kidding. Here's the point in the blog post where I'm supposed to switch gears and talk about how I know they really love each other and today was just a rough day and tomorrow will be better and we are all doing the best we can and how wonderful motherhood is. And they do, and it was, and it will, and we are, and it is. Really though? I just want a glass of wine. But damn. Pregnant.

Your Beautiful Soul

My Sweet Boy,

This morning as we lay snuggled in bed, not yet ready to let our feet feel the chill of the floor, I said "Happy birthday!" in a quiet voice. "Is it my birthday today?!" you cried. "It is" I said. "Oh, YES! My birthday is today! I've been waiting and waiting..." and then you were off. Off and running. Rousing your brother and Papa, making the proclamation known: It's my birthday today! 

Today is your third birthday. As the lone extrovert in our little family your soul light has no trouble shining. It is bright and it is beautiful. You still love to sing, still are the most tactile person I know, enjoy plays on words, good stories, play cars and other things lined neatly in rows. You love people and beauty. You. love. your. big. brother. You can't wait to be a big brother yourself to "your baby" next year. Your enthusiasm for life, coupled with your nearly constant stream-of-consciousness-soliloquy, tends to wear your introverted Mama (and Brother) out. But when I sit back and take all that is you in I cannot help but beam. You are the person I always wished I could be. That magnetic personality, boundless energy, and comfort and ease with people is infectious.  I am learning, day by day, the lessons you have for me.

I am so glad I get to witness your beautiful soul. Thank you for making me a Mama twice over.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
~Mama