Pacifiers, Part 2

Almost a year ago, I wrote about trying to take Luke's pacifier away. Well, true to my word, we haven't tried again since then. We haven't bought anymore, but miraculously, they have continually appeared in our house. I would think we were down to the last one, and Luke would show up sucking the most ridiculous looking, tiny baby pacifier. How he could even hold on to them with his mouth I'll never know. Anyway, we've finally exhausted our supply of pacifiers and he's down to the last one.

While he's been sick I have been letting him take it with us in the car on the way to the store, the doctor, etc. and just making him take it out when we go inside. I'm sorry he's felt so bad, but I mean, I don't want people to know my three year old still has a passy. Seriously, the other day he said, "Mama, can I just take one more suck before I put it in my bed?" That's out of control. And it doesn't help that he looks like he's at least four, so it seems even more crazy than it really is. So, when we couldn't find his pacifier after a trip to the store, I thought for sure it had fallen out of the car and we were done forever. Alas, two days later, after successfully sleeping and napping without the pacifier, he sniffed it out. We had just left it in the chair in the garage.

Oh well, at least we know it can be done. I guess we'll just wait for this last one to bite the dust and then maybe we'll be done with this oral fixation forever.

Sickness Update

We are still alive. Kris was ready to go to work by Tuesday morning. Luke woke up Wednesday morning in the wee hours wailing about his ear hurting. When Kris went in to check on him he asked Kris for a piece of ice for his ear. So sad. We took him to the doctor and he has an "bad" ear infection in one ear (according to the doctor). He seems to be much better now, in health and attitude. The meltdowns are slowing down a bit.

Eli, poor Eli, with the low pain tolerance, also has an ear infection. We took him to the doctor this morning, and she said that the five patients before us had ear infections as well. Apparently, it's an epidemic. After a dose of antibiotic and some ibuprofen, he is still asleep after three and a half hours. Praise God. Did I mention he has a low pain tolerance? Poor Mama.

Sick House

Kris started throwing up at 3:30 this morning, went to work at 7:30, came home at 9:00 (I told him they would rather have him stay away, but because it's a new job and he doesn't have any time off yet he went in.), and has laid around all day. I've been sneaking around behind him wiping off every surface he touches. It's not you I'm rejecting, Darling, it's just your germs.

I've had a little sore throat and my stomach has felt queasy all day. I think it's just because I listened to Kris throwing up in the wee hours of the morning.

Luke has had a temperature and a miserable cold today. He has asked me more than once to "Get me warm, Mama" and to wrap a blanket around him. Pitiful.

Eli has been in a great mood all day and has been walking around saying, "Haaaah, haaah!"

Needless to say, you don't want to be at our house.

To Add To the Humiliation

I am quickly approaching thirty but still have the occasional breakouts associated with "that time". My sweet child, being observant, as most three year olds are, but unfortunately, lacking the tact that most of us have acquired with age (READ, "This zit is big enough for anyone with eyes to notice across the room, but most people feel sorry enough for me not to mention it."), asks me:

"Mama, you got a booger on your nose?"

To which I replied, "No, I just have a boo-boo."

And, the natural response, "Oh, can I touch it?"

Sure, go ahead and touch Mama's booger. She needs a good laugh about right now.

These Boots Are Made For Walking

Luke is very sad that he can't fit these boots anymore, but Eli is quite pleased with the situation.

Luke's Birthday Party

We had a party for Luke Saturday night with Kris' family. Luke asked every day from Monday to Saturday if it was the day for his party and would he be getting his trucks that day. Needless to say, he was way excited.

The expression he wore for the whole evening.

Posing by the presents.

Seriously, Daddy, you have got to move faster than that. Eli standing by in case Luke accidentally puts something within his reach.

Showing off his crane. Eli still hoping...

My attempt at cake decorating.

Ready to dig in. I told you he had that expression on his face the whole night. I wasn't kidding. A very happy boy, indeed.

What I Don't Love...

...is that when left alone together for five minutes, this is what happens.



The toy box is empty.

I Love...

...the way Eli comes running anytime you dare to lay on the ground so he can straddle you and inch his diaper butt up your belly until he's eventually sitting on your face. And then laughs.

...the way when you ask for a kiss, Luke puckers up his lips really big and says, "Mmmmmmmm..." until you lean in to receive his sloppy, wet kiss.

...the way Luke and Eli use Daddy's tools so they can "work" on the tractor together.

...that Luke and Eli take comfort in each other in unfamiliar places, make each other crazy one second and laugh the next, fight to get in my lap first but are really happiest when they're snuggled up together, splash way more in the tub together than they do alone, stick their fingers under the door to each other and try to "catch" the other's fingers and squeal when they're caught.

...that Luke and Eli are teaching each other what it means to love, be loved and to be a friend.

...that my boys take good naps and that most days I can't wait for them to wake up.

My Luke

I got Luke up this morning and asked him whose birthday it was. He said, "It's mine." When I asked him how old he was he said, "I three." Just like that. Three.

I have been the mother of this sweet, tender-hearted, gentle, wild, fun-loving, go-with-the-flow, cuddling, interesting, light-up-my-day little boy for three whole years. Oh, Luke, do you even know what you've done to me? You have changed me from a self-centered little girl into a mama who loves that her whole day gets to be about you and your brother. I love that name, "mama", and you started it. Thank you, sweet child of mine, for giving me your heart and for helping me find mine. I love you!







With the fork lift that Grandma Clair and Grandaddy sent in the mail.