And this is the moment
that my heart melted. The other day I'm in the process of persuading my 2 year old that it is vital we wear clothes when he grabs his guitar and begins to sing to me. This is what he sang;"Jesus love meee I know for beble
tell me SOOOO little one belong they weak he STRONGGGGGGGG!"
And my heart just melted.
tell me SOOOO little one belong they weak he STRONGGGGGGGG!"
And my heart just melted.
Hello Big Papa
Upon playing with Titus' new Christmas toys he discovered that Mr. Potato Head had a strange resemblance to my dad (Big Papa).
Since Big Papa was in San Jose. Titus' referred to this potato as "big papa"
He talked with him in his little tent
and he gave him kisses
eventually he admitted that it was just not the same.
The real Big Papa
Since Big Papa was in San Jose. Titus' referred to this potato as "big papa"
He talked with him in his little tent
and he gave him kisses
eventually he admitted that it was just not the same.
The real Big PapaTitus,
He's turning 2. I don't remember turning 2 I don't remember 2 at all, but I know I will ALWAYS remember his year 2. The way he gives this sneaky little smile when he's about to be a stinker, eventually he'll figure out a way to hide what he's thinking. Eventually he'll stop seeking my approval to explore and discover the world. Eventually he wont call out my name when he can't see me. And eventually he won't be 2. So this year is special, as is every year of my children's lives. I want to make sure I teach him a few things as he grows. below is several ideals I hope to pass on.
- The process of loving and being loved by God is challenging, adventurous, euphoric, and real...very real. We can't live our spiritual life/relationship vicariously. This is a road of faith and we very often have clumsy feet.
- We must touch. The "do not touch" phrase should be used for only certain situations; but the rest of life should be a "touch" sign. Titus fed a giraffe a while back and he was VERY uncertain. Those animals are crazy looking and I completely understood the uncertainty. He nervously touched the giraffes mouth to feed him a leaf and received the ultimate licking. In return he laughed and it was a gut laugh. Life should result in genuine reactions. laughter, love, forgiveness, joy, pain all real experiences that he shouldn't miss b/c we "do not touch".
- Pain and suffering should be welcomed not avoided. I was timid in unexpected ways for a child. I was outgoing definitely an extrovert, however when it came to the possibility of failure, disappointment, or the unexpected I was often timid. I was afraid. Fear of experiencing any form of pain or suffering. He should know that loving people who may never love us back, riding a bike out of the cul-a-sac, pursuing secret dreams, and losing (whether it's a game, a loved one, or an expectation) are a precious part of life.
- Success and prosperity can be defined in many inaccurate ways. Guidance with these should not be sought through popular culture.
- Defending the defenseless matters. Defending yourself is overrated. I am finally realizing the roots/core to so many of my own defenses/defensiveness and I have a long road ahead of me. Perhaps he can save himself a few decades of work and live a life that matters much earlier.
- How to be a good husband (from a women's point of view). Perhaps I'm trapping him into a specific identity and it may never be his path, but at least he'll know how to take care of himself. I promised to raise a young man who could cook, clean up after himself, do laundry, listen (actively) while giving meaningful feedback, yield his pride, and love. I figure it's a start and perhaps it will give me some favor with my future daughter-in-law.
I could go on but who knows how much longer this post would be?
So in return. Is there a lesson you wish you'd learned? Is there something you want to make sure you pass on (regardless of having children or not)?
I was not prepared
for technicalities!
I said "Do not touch mommy's toy (gameboy)."
Technically he did not "touch" the toy.
He held true to the agreement (at least contractually).
However, his dino got in A LOT of trouble.
I said "Do not touch mommy's toy (gameboy)."
Technically he did not "touch" the toy.
He held true to the agreement (at least contractually).
However, his dino got in A LOT of trouble.
Dear Santa,
I would like world peace, kisses, a ball, and cookies for Christmas please.Kindly,
Titus
This is my son's wish list to Santa (first one ever). he asked for the above 4 things (I may have "encouraged" the world peace). I tried to get him to wish for homes for the homeless but he really wanted the cookies. How about you? What's on your wish list?
It's like...
Living with a drunk foreign exchange student. That's the best way to describe the day to day interactions I share with my almost 2 year old son. Over the last year my son has become highly communicative which I can only assume is one part biology and one part my fault. Titus is definitely MY son.
So back to my drunk foreign exchange student. Most of Titus' words are slurred, mixed with inaccurate other words, and said with a thick "baby" accent. I can usually understand at least 1/3 of what my son says but it
typically takes a LOT of guessing, interpreting, and asking to be shown. When Dave and I get jammed we result to "Show daddy/mommy" and we allow him to lead us to various locations around the house.
I can only suppose that with all this practice one day the Lord will lead us to opening our home to a foreign exchange student with a sobriety issue okay maybe not.
Dear Foreign exchange students,
Please don't hate me. I'm aware of your ability to speak fluently in several languages and my inability to speak fluently in one. My comparison was based on barbaric stereotypes.
Secret Treasure
The other day I turn around to see my son standing suspiciously by the fireplace. Upon further inquiry this is what I discovered:
Since my fireplace is "in progress" one of the boards merely leans on the fireplace frame (please note that I am not going into my mans project addiction at this time).
Titus discovered this leaning board and now has a secret hiding place.
When I looked closer this is what I found.
Good thing there's no late fees.
Since my fireplace is "in progress" one of the boards merely leans on the fireplace frame (please note that I am not going into my mans project addiction at this time).
Titus discovered this leaning board and now has a secret hiding place.
When I looked closer this is what I found.
Good thing there's no late fees.
Public Enemy #1
My mom gave Titus a doll that's "suppose" to teach him how to dress himself. He literally saw it and yelled "Noooooooo" and chucked it across the room. I think he'll warm up to it. HA.
We have a Fish
It runs in the family.
Mikey will eat it
So today I find my first born smacking his lips with an almost empty bottle of nail polish in one hand and the cap/brush in the other. YUM?
After having my freak out moment David preps Titus for the ER and I call poison control. He's fine and we didn't have to go.
Titus:3/ Mom:0. You win again kid, you win again.
The rest of my evening will be spent listening to my child breath through the monitor and thanking God for every breath.
When you were a kid did you consume anything considered "non-edible"?
Dear Husband,
If you did not want this to happen you should not have encouraged the hair growth...That's all I'm say'n!
Oh No
So I walk in to catch lil' dude teaching himself how to buckle and unbuckle himself. Ummm...not good? right?
Meet Sissy
To expand on why I experienced the doll isle. Please meet "sissy":
Since we are on count down to the arrival of a baby girl. We thought it best to prepare our first born. So how do you prepare a 16 month old?
Obvious solution; introduce a plastic painted doll covered in pink and play mind games with the kid. Alright when I put it that way it sounds a bit cruel. We actually have really good intentions...does that count?
We got a "sissy" doll since we thought it would be the best way to introduce kiddo 1 to the idea of a kiddo 2. We hang with "sissy" and kiss sissy and talk about how really cool she is and so far my kiddo is buying it. Well, that is with the exception of the day he tried to poke her eye out but hey, we all feel that way now and again.
So there you have it. doll isle = impostor sissy. I hope he doesn't prefer the doll when the real sissy shows up.
Since we are on count down to the arrival of a baby girl. We thought it best to prepare our first born. So how do you prepare a 16 month old?
Obvious solution; introduce a plastic painted doll covered in pink and play mind games with the kid. Alright when I put it that way it sounds a bit cruel. We actually have really good intentions...does that count?
We got a "sissy" doll since we thought it would be the best way to introduce kiddo 1 to the idea of a kiddo 2. We hang with "sissy" and kiss sissy and talk about how really cool she is and so far my kiddo is buying it. Well, that is with the exception of the day he tried to poke her eye out but hey, we all feel that way now and again.
So there you have it. doll isle = impostor sissy. I hope he doesn't prefer the doll when the real sissy shows up.
Gots me a edujumacation!!!
I walked. I accepted fake diploma. I fake smiled till it hurt. I was REALLY proud. Mostly I was proud that my son could be there, regardless of his ability to recall the event. So many reasons to quit and too few to commit. But the few were the important ones...
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Peanut butter & Jelly + Fingers = New Hair Do
Titus 1 : Mom 0
Today we went to my other bank...Target ( I like to say it with an accent it just makes me feel better). About an hour into our trip (most of you know Target is an hour store) I look down and discover my sweet sweet son has disposed of his left shoe without notice. At this point we have been around the store twice via the "outside" path and have gone down 2 of the 3 main Target "freeways" and swept through the picture isle. This leaves me with a lot of territory to cover. I weigh the "is this really worth it?" scale and discover something about myself. I hate to lose things. I think it's part of the control freak in me. I must know where everything is...hence my obsession with organization and cleanliness. I digress.... So we swept the store. I'm a women on a mission. All the time my son sits and smiles at me...no words. Yes, I know he can't talk but looking back on it I truly believe his nonverbals where screaming in laughter. after an additional 15minutes of "brisk" search and recover I look down and low and behold the shoe is on the bottom of the cart. Thank you son...you win.
