Chocolate Cheer

"Mama, Sophia needs her M & M." Looking back I notice Gavin reaching to just touch the fingers of Sophia trying to slip her an M & M between car seats.  I put my arm out to help and the M & M dropped into my hand, just in time.  I felt like the M & M middle-mama as many more were passed to little sis and greeted with a smile.  Who even asked him to do this? No one.  That was the beautiful part about it.  That was the part that made every mama fiber in me glow with excitement.  Gavin was thinking of Sophia. 

This was not the first time this week though.  Several days prior, Gavin and Sophia were eating dinner and each were told they would be required to eat another bite of vegetable before receiving a piece of chocolate popcorn.  Gavin gobbled his up quickly, knowing the reward was going to be yummy, but Sophia exerted her feisty attitude by turning over her dinner plate and giving an emphatic "no." Gavin received his popcorn, but soon realized Sophia would not be getting some of her own.  He tried to coax her into eating one bite, dangling a piece of carrot in front of her face in an attempt to entice a T-Rex to salad bar, not happening.  After several minutes and defeat, Gavin picked up his own popcorn and handed it to So, "here Sophia."

Being a mama is scary.  Especially when you are not sure how your babes will turn out in the end, dependent upon your guidance to help them in becoming the best they can be.  I pray, daily, that my two beautiful children will learn to take care of each other and give, whole heartedly, to the world and those within.  Even if it is their last M & M. Although it sounds cheesy, it's more than just sharing, it's caring.

The "Hopstital"

How is it that the scariest moments for a mama are when it will be for the best for your baby?  Friday qualified for one of these times.  Gavin was schedule for a tonsillectomy/adnoidectomy and tubes to be put into his ears.  In most cases, this is an outpatient procedure and kids go home within hours of the whole shebang.  Friday, the doctor prepared us to spend the night as she wanted to monitor him closely because he is younger than most other candidates.  We are so glad she made this decision as he was not eating or drinking and we would have, surely, been returning to the hospital due to dehydration. 

Prior to the surgery, it felt as though my heart was beating out of my chest as all I could think about was all the scary stuff that could happen.  Anxiety feels like such a weak word for the whole event.  It is a simple procedure, but a mama just worries.  There is nothing like watching your baby be miserable and hurting.  (It makes me reflect on another mama I know who has to endure so much more with her baby.)  After 1 1/2 days of hospital worries, we left knowing that all would be well, ending with this quote from Gavin..."thank you for coming to the hopstital with me, I lub you."  If we just hold onto each other and love, love, love, all will be right with the world.  "You are welcome my darling, I love you too." I wouldn't be anywhere else.

Dead End Drive Time

When going home in the evenings, I allow Gavin to "drive" us home by giving me directions.  My goal is for him to learn directions as well as have a little fun with new places...within the neighborhood. We've  had many explorations over the weeks that I've been doing it and he absolutely loves it.  "Please go right, Mama." "Please go left, Mama." (I hear a snicker) "Please go that way, right, Mama." (more snickers) "Please go left, Mama...yeah! DEAD END!"

This is the point that he begins laughing pretty hysterically, because he brings me to the only part of the neighborhood where I actually have to maneuver myself out of an awkward dead end.  He snickers the whole time and then systematically states, "That was fun mama, let's go home."

Occasionally I allow Gavin to "drive" with me rather than give me directions.  This is when Gavin gets to sit in the front seat, with the car in park, and push all the buttons on the radio.  This is especially fun because he has figured out how to find the "Mickey Mouse" song on CD 1, track 1.  He'll let the song play all the way through and then hit CD 2, track 1, my music.  Gavin will then look at me seriously and say (every time) "awww, Mama's music" (with a smirk, because he's sneaky) and let me listen for about 5 seconds and then change it and laugh, because he knows he is in control...not me. I love watching this whole scene go down because he gets such joy in the whole "driving" process. Vrooooom.

"Dad"oration

Dear DaDa,

You make me stronger each day with your constant encouragement and unending love.  You challenge me to be better, honest, and kind.  Daily, you model what a good man should be and although I may not recognize it yet, I will.  My face lights up when you enter a room because I know you are there for me, both physically and emotionally.  I especially love your cheesiness, funny faces and crazy songs.  Thank you for inspiring me, each day, to be more than I am now.  I love you Dada.
Gavin

Dear Dada,

You know I'm too cool for school with my rockin' glasses and my good looks, which I got from you.  You make me a confident little girl and you inspire me to be myself at all times.  You harness my bright energy and smile in confirmation that I am, indeed, wonderful.  Your caring characteristics will be what I search for when I am old enough to know better.  I will forever adore you.  I love you Dada.
Sophia

Important Phone Call

Don't mess with me.  I've got an important phone call to make...

Oh! I just got the best news! Mama called, "the milk is ready!"

Mer-boy

Every single dinner includes a time where Gavin insists upon leaving to go use the potty.  Todd and I are convinced it's his defense mechanism for not eating what we've put together for him in the hopes that we'll "forget" that he is in the middle of it all. 

Tonight's ritual was like any other.  Gavin insisted that he needed to go to the bathroom.  We tried to push a few more bites down and then off he went, racing upstairs to his escape.  A while later we hear, "I did it!" "You did what?," we ask.  "I got dressed all by myself!" he exclaims, sounding very proud. Todd and I look at each other with a "this should be interesting" kind of look.  Todd leaps up from the table, wanting to be the first to see this accomplished feat while I remain with Sophia at the table.  Next thing I hear is laughter with a "No, let me walk in front of you" statement from Todd.  I am anxiously awaiting him, knowing it has to be good as I've been listening to Todd snicker the whole way down the stairs.  Finally, he approaches the entryway and this is what I see.

A very excited and proud little boy.  What's that hanging off to the right you wonder...? That would be his other pant leg.  He managed to fit both legs in the same hole and "walk" downstairs.  He didn't even notice it until he sat back in his chair and said, "Something is wrong."  We pull off his shorts to get him fixed up and notice that his underwear is the exact same.  Good job my little mer-boy! You always fill my heart with joy.

Dirty Days

After a morning of egg hunting, we decided to go out back and make a mud puddle.  We dug a hole and poured a bucket of water into it...all for fun.  The best part wasn't putting our toes and hands in, submerging Gavin's cars, or chewing on the dirt that entered our mouths after it was flung through the air.  Rather, it was watching the kids and their interaction with the event.  Grammy was there to document the occasion with the following photographs...

Here is Sophia splattered from head to toe.  They say that your second child is a complete opposite of your first.  This is the truth with Gavin and Sophia.  She LOVED it...He HATED it.

Sophia thought that baby should play too.

LOTS of crying from this one.  This totally wasn't his "dig."

We will definitely be doing this again.  If only to loosen Gavin up a little to know that "dirt won't hurt."  Next time, I think I'll plan a better clean up process.  I hadn't thought that far ahead and it involved mud throughout the house just to get into the tubs.  Thanks to Grammy for all the help with getting us put back together.