Cream of Potato Soup

Since my party on Saturday, Evan has been able to talk of nothing else. Every other minute I'm pestered to "go Erie, go skate!" I told him we'd think about going back after Mommy stopped being sore. Today is the first day every muscle in my body doesn't ache--I'm so out of shape. But we've already looked for skates of Evan's very own (we'll put some on the Christmas list, I think) and other skating rinks in the area (two are very near to Mike's parents, so look out Grandma and Papa!). I'm glad Ev has found something he's so excited to do, but wow he just won't be quiet about it. Anyone else remember when this kid wouldn't talk?

Grady has started a new love affair with the mylar balloons left over from the weekend. He loves to watch them drift above his head. And then if I bring one down to him, he'll claw at it and punch it and squeal with delight. So easy to please. He's also very pleased because Lisa delivered another blanket from her mom on Saturday, so now G has one to love and one to spare. Oh happy day!

As for me, I'm feeling quite like a deflated balloon. Literally, as I lose weight and the skin continues to hang on my stomach (ugh), and figuratively too. After all the birthday excitement, it's a little tough to get back to life as usual. But I'm getting there--eventually I'll get back to the laundry and all the other stuff around the house. I'd better, or we'll all be out of underwear.

Posted by jenny at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My 30th birthday turned out to be the best birthday ever. Mike and Beth (with help from other friends and family) got together and threw me one hell of a surprise party on Saturday. It was a roller skating party--something I always wanted when I was a kid but never got around to having. I thought I was meeting Mike for dinner after going to the mall with Beth, but when she made me put a blindfold on while driving down 26th Street, I knew something was up. I didn't figure it out though until I was led through the doors at the rink, tore my blindfold off and was greeted by over 30 friends and family. I was simply shocked, and so pleased.

The night was great--pizza, a huge cake, and skating to great 80's tunes taken from my very own collection. Lots of people were brave enough to put on skates (including Evan, who took to it quite well). It was a little rough getting back into the swing of things, but once we got going most of us skated like old pros. Today we're feeling it though, as I'm a little sore and Mike's arm is hurting from one of his many wipe-outs. It was the perfect way to celebrate my 30th--everyone had a blast and it's a night I'll remember for a long time.

Today we had Grady's baptism (and if I would have known that I was going to be skating yesterday, I don't know if I would have scheduled it for the same weekend!). G looked like a little angel in his christening gown, but he cried through the whole ceremony. The same priest that married me and Mike and baptized Evan in Erie is now a pastor down here--he was able to do today's baptism as well and that was very special. He remarked to us that he couldn't believe that six years had passed since our wedding, because he could have sworn it was just two or three years ago. We feel the same way sometimes, believe me. But now little G is free from original sin, and all is well with the world.

It's been a completely chaotic weekend, full of surprises and excitement. I'm all worn out and sore, but it was worth it. Here's hoping the coming year is just as much fun as my birthday weekend has been.

Posted by jenny at 9:02 PM | Permalink

We found a solution to the blanket over the face problem. Lora suggested giving Grady a holey blanket at naptime, and it seems to have done the trick. G's favorite is one that Lisa's mom made for him. It's blue and white and has all kinds of thrilling little places for him to stick his fingers. I'm half tempted to buy some yarn and go begging at her door for more. He still likes to pull it over his head, but only sometimes--he's really much more into the finger-holes.

We also found a solution to Evan's "pants hanging off the ass" problem. I'd still been shopping in the toddler section, where Ev would wear 5T in shirts and 4T in pants. Pants in 4T were the right length but still huge in the waist, even with elastic. So we moved across the way to the boys section and found the magical 4 Slim. I swear I saw a light emanating from the jeans display. I had forgotten the old "slim, regular, husky" sizes from when my brothers were small. Slims are just right for Evan--a perfect fit. I guess there he'd probably wear a size 4 shirt too, but I haven't had a chance to look.

So there's two problems solved. My life makes sense again.

Posted by jenny at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Today is my much anticipated, much dreaded 30th birthday. My father-in-law was the first to wish me happy birthday last night--he's on a business trip in Taiwan and it was already the morning of September 20th over there! And I had a full email box this morning with wishes from friends and offers of free desserts from Baskin Robbins and Eat N Park, so I have to say it's been a good day so far.

I'm not really that upset about turning 30. I thought I'd be all bent about it, and freaking out, but it's really no big deal. I'm in a good place in my life, and I'm really happy with where things are going too. The only weird thing is I feel like expectations are higher in your 30's. Like you're suddenly supposed to have a handle on things, and be accomplishing things, have it all figured out. What my mother-in-law refers to as the "Jesus years" (30-33). Your 20's are for screwing around, and now it's time to get serious. The odd thing is, a lot of the time I still feel like I'm 17. How did I end up with this husband and these kids to take care of? It boggles the mind.

So today I'm 30. The start of a new decade for me, one that will hopefully be filled with joy and love and lots more fun. Bring it on.

Posted by jenny at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

This weekend was one of those weekends where you don't have a minute to catch your breath. We ran here and there at a frantic pace, feeling like we were late or missing something the entire time. We'll need a break to recover from it.

Saturday I took the boys up to the Allegheny football game. Mike was working the scoreboard, as he will at all home games this fall, so I was on my own. Luckily, it was community day, which meant lots of people I knew were there and there was also a bunch of stuff to keep Ev entertained--bouncy castle, obstacle course, face painting, man walking around dressed as a gator, that kind of thing. We did sit and watch the first quarter of the game, but that's about all the boys could handle. It was fun though, and it tired all three of us out (Mike was tired too, but mostly because he had stayed up late the night before, perfecting the scoreboard animations).

Yesterday we headed up to Erie for Lisa's surprise birthday party. It was a lot of fun--Kelly was in from Pittsburgh, and Elaine and Brett were in from Sacramento, so I really enjoyed hanging out with them and catching up. And Lisa was even somewhat surprised, which was a treat. The food was good, the company was great, and Ev even had other boys to run around with.

It's a challenge when we girls are together now, as half of us have kids, and the other half do not. I always feel like I'm talking too much about mom stuff, and I don't want to bore the daylights out of them. And then there's the juggling of babies and feedings, which doesn't allow much freedom at parties. But the one outstanding thing is that when we're together it's as though no time has passed, and we always fall into an easy rhythm of jokes and conversation. And that is something wonderful and priceless--I feel very lucky to have these friends in my life, even if I only see them once in a while (and even if I terrify them with potty training stories).

So now we're here, totally worn out and starting another crazy week. Evan has a full week of school and therapy, Mike is super busy at work, and I'm turning 30 in there somewhere (but I'm sure I'll have more to say about that mid-week).

Posted by jenny at 9:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I'm scattered today, and so will this entry be.

Today, when Ev got home from school, he went in the downstairs bathroom to pee. It was about a half an hour later when I went in there and discovered that he had peed not in the toilet, but up the wall and on the floor, soaking even the toilet paper on the roll. Talent. I asked him why he did it, but he said he didn't know. I took away computer for the day.

Grady's new thing is that he has to sleep with a blanket over his face. He loves it. I hate it, because it's giving me SIDS anxiety. I have to keep moving the blanket and staring at him to make sure he's still breathing. But he won't sleep without it, so I guess I'll have to adjust.

Is it wrong to listen to Nine Inch Nails with your kids in the car? Because I was the other day--"Down In It", specifically. There are no swears in the lyrics that I can think of. I figured it was okay. When I listen to that song (or any music from that time, really), I'm 17 again and driving around without a care in the world except finishing my English paper on time and what I'm going to do Friday night. Some days it helps to feel like Jenny for a few minutes instead of just Mommy.

I'm washing all of the 3/6 month clothes I could find for fall today. Grady finally will have something to wear. I was going through all the bins this morning while Ev was at school, and it's looking like we won't have to buy too much for G until he gets into the bigger sizes. That's when Ev started wearing clothes out rather than outgrowing them.

Speaking of G, now he screams. The blanket has come off of the face. Time for me to fly.

Posted by jenny at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I was so excited to have Evan start school last week. But I forgot one important thing--when Ev is in school, he brings home every germ in the tri-state area. This weekend, he developed a runny nose. Nothing serious, no fever, more annoying than dangerous....until his brother gets it.

And of course his brother will get it, what with all the hugging and kissing and not covering our mouths when we cough. So here I am, at 2 am, with Grady congested and needing Mommy to suck out his nose every few minutes. He won't sleep because he can't breathe, which means I can't sleep either. It's going to be a long night.

(It figures that there's nothing good on tv either. I just can't get into the Fresh Prince marathon. Wishing I had taped some Flip This House episodes or something....)

Posted by jenny at 2:18 AM | Permalink

Five years ago today, I sat at work and did absolutely nothing but watch tv with my mouth hanging open. I was pregnant with Evan, though I didn't know that he was a boy and I hadn't yet felt him kick. Mike and I spent the next week with CNN on all day and all night, both horrified and fascinated by what was happening. I can't say I was directly affected by September 11th--I knew no one who died or was injured, I didn't fly much--but like everyone else in our country, that day is still one that changed me.

It's strange to think that was five years ago already. Evan is a tall, skinny preschooler now, and he's even got a little brother. I can only begin to imagine the terror of mothers on that day--mothers with children at home, children at school, adult children overseas, grown children in tall office buildings. My brother now lives in New York City, with his fiancee who is from there--how frantic would I be now if something happened? As I've experienced more in my own life, I can now start to get what the experience of September 11th must have been like for so many people, people just like me with sons and brothers and friends that were on planes and in towers.

This weekend was for a different kind of remembrance in my own life. I went up to Asbury Woods to help plant Lauren's wildflower meadow. Lisa and I were there, along with Lauren's parents and many other family friends. We planted flowers, grass and trees and put picnic tables in the ground. As Lisa and I tromped through the mud and flung seeds, we laughed and talked and remembered all the fun adventures Lauren used to take us on. She was always one for adventure, and the outdoors, and this garden is going to be a perfect tribute to her.

The meadow will be a lovely place, somewhere we can take our children, somewhere we can go to think of her. I'm excited about it, and glad that I could do some small thing to honor her. The flowers will not be in full bloom for another three years--about that time, it will be ten years she's been gone. But it's nice to think that part of her will always live on this way. Lauren loved life, and lived it, and something beautiful and so alive will be the best way to remember her. And I know we will.

Posted by jenny at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Evan's first day of school went very well. He didn't have much to report when he got home (he was much more interested in eating SpongeBob mac n cheese) but his teacher called later in the day to give me an update.

Ev was "a hoot" at school, talking up a storm and interacting with everyone. He participated in all the activities, drank from a regular cup, and did not pee his pants. In fact, when he had to go, he went to the door of the classroom and said, "I'll be right back!" and went out in the hall to the bathroom. An aide had to go with him, which he insisted he didn't need, but I guess he didn't put up too much of a fuss. So it was a good day, and hopefully there wil be many more to follow.

I'm enjoying the flow of the days with Ev back at school. I got a ton of stuff done yesterday around the house, and got to dote on Grady a little more than usual. Ev and I played and had a lot more fun in the afternoon too because we weren't sick of each other. It's a good deal all around. This morning I plan to take a long shower, bathe Grady, and then walk down to pick Ev up from school--all the teachers are dying to meet G.

So the last year of preschool has begun. Ev's happy, and I'm happy, and I know we're going to have a great year.

Posted by jenny at 9:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Evan's first day of school is today--his last year of preschool. But I'll post more about that later, after he gets home and tells me all about his day. And please God, let him not pee his pants.

As of yesterday, Grady is three months old. Wow. I'm not sure where the time went! But at three months, I'd say we're in a pretty good place. By my own at-home estimate, G is 24" long and about 15 pounds. He's got rolls upon rolls. I just love it. He's definitely a sturdy young man.

Grady's also doing a lot of different things now. He's holding his head up well, smiling and "talking" when you look at him, and rolling from belly to back. He loves tummy time, sitting in his Boppy, and having something in his hands at all times (usually a burp rag or my shirt). He doesn't like his swing, binkies, or not having someone in his line of sight at all times. He's generally a good baby, I guess, though he's not sleeping through the night in his crib or anything monumental like that. G adds that extra bit of fun to our family, and it's great.

I finally bit the bullet and went back to the Y yesterday too. I figure three months is a long enough rest, and if I ever hope to zip those jeans I'm going to need to move my ass. So I decided to start out slow, and I rejoined my swimnastics class that I went to when I was pregnant. Now, when I left, it was pretty much older women (read: over 70) doing stretches and water walking for an hour. Not anymore, sister. There's a new instructor, and some new students (many of whom replaced the older ladies) and it's a whole new ball game.

I worked my butt off, and actually got out of breath a few times, but it was a great workout. I'm even sore today! But it was so much fun, and I think it's exactly the kind of thing I need to get back in the game. I'm excited about doing something that's just for me, and something that I really enjoy again.

Speaking of me, G has dozed off. I better use this time to get something done around the house, or I'll never forgive myself! This time is short and sweet.

Posted by jenny at 9:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Suddenly it's September, and the weather is cold and rainy and we're feeling it as the summer screeches to a halt. Evan's been wearing the new school jeans, and I've been digging out my jeans and saying prayers as I try to zip them up. The weight is gone, but my body has changed shape--I'm going to have to go school shopping too. And tomorrow Grady's getting a whole new wardrobe courtesy of the Rubbermaid tubs in the attic.

School starts for Ev on Wednesday, so tomorrow's the start of strict bedtimes again and more rigid schedules. It's good, because he's been getting a little crazy recently and he could use the activity and structure again. I'm sure Grady won't know what to do, having me to himself every morning. I have a list of projects as long as my arm that have waited all summer, so G's going to have to be Mommy's little helper around the house.

Yesterday we rattled around and took a spur of the moment trip to Pittsburgh--IKEA and Costco and the Apple store. For the first time, Ev was tall enough to go in the play room at IKEA, and he had an awesome time. They have wooden trains set up in there, and slides, and two huge ball pits, and who knows what else. He just loved it, and I'm sure he would have stayed in there all day if he could have. I loved the baby care room where I could nurse G in peace and let Ev use a pint-sized potty. I can't tell you how nice it was to shop somewhere so family friendly for once.

And we are definitely quite the family now. I notice other families when we're out, especially ones with more than one child. And the moms definitely don't look as frazzled as I feel, so I wonder if I'm missing out on some great big mother secret. It's not hard to take the boys out, it just requires constant vigilance, and heavy lifting, and the incessant barking of directions. Of course, all this is done cheerfully, as I don't want to be the angry cursing mom you see so often when you're in the store, but still--I feel like I'm sweating all the time, and anxious, and I just know my hair is frizzy. Why do the other moms look so damn calm?

I can almost predict a comment coming from Eden or Julie that says simply, "drugs".

Posted by jenny at 10:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)