Cream of Potato Soup

This is that part of the year that I like the least. From Evan's birthday until Easter, it's cold and gray and it seems like the sun will never return. There's not much to look forward to, and it makes me grumpy. I get in moods that are hard to shake--I spend time imagining other places, other things, and looking desperately for something to make me feel more alive.

I've been getting up at six for the past few mornings, to get some time to myself and get some exercise in before the day begins. It has helped--my brisk walks wake me up and give me more energy for the coming day, and that's something I needed. Sadly, they've also given me some nasty blisters on my feet. Maybe it's time for new sneakers.

Evan has been shaking things up in his own way. Mike's mom told him he was a superhero for trying a new food the last time he was at her house, and now he's on a mission. He wants to try one new food every day, and after he does he has to call Grandma to tell her about it. Ev has even been helping me write our weekly dinner menu, choosing meals that he wants to try. It's great--he has tried a lot of things that are out of his comfort zone, and he's found a few things he likes!

He went so far as to try a banana over the weekend, but he gagged pretty violently after that, so he said he'd like to wait another year before he tries again. I'm really happy that Grandma gave Ev the motivation he needed to eat new foods, and I'm glad that he's found a way to manage his aversions. It's taken a lot of work to get him to this point, so it's good to finally see some results. He's a totally different boy than he was just two years ago.

Posted by jenny at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today after school, Evan and I sat down to write thank you notes for his birthday gifts. It's something I think is important, and I try to do it myself too as a good example for the boys. I don't always live up to the ideal--I forget every so often, and I don't even try to write notes for Christmas gifts or I'd be writing until February, but for birthdays and special things I do make an effort.

Up until now, I've been writing Evan's thank you notes by myself. This year though, I let Ev write his own. He dictated the body of the note to me, and then signed his own name at the end. It worked out well--he put a lot of his personality into the messages, and his signature got progressively messier as we went down the list. It didn't take too long, and I think he enjoyed letting me know what he thought about everything. I hope the recipients will enjoy his opinions as well. And the directions to Washington he included in my brother's card.

Posted by jenny at 9:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Evan is six years old today. I'm having a hard time grasping this fact, but Ev is fine. He was more than ready to leave five behind, and he's proud to be another year older. Six just sounds way too mature to me, but I'm sure I'm going to be saying the same things about seven, eight, and nine. He's so grown up now, in so many ways, and in ways I thought he may never reach. So I'm happy for him, but it's all happening a little too fast for poor Mom.

We tried to talk to Evan yesterday morning about how he was born. We wanted to tell him how tiny he was, what a surprising time it was for us, and how glad we were that everything turned out okay. That time now seems like another life--our little family has come so far since the never ending days in the NICU and all the worry and fear for Ev's future.

Today will be fairly quiet after the birthday party excitement yesterday. Ev has off of school but Daddy is working, so we're going to have a lazy day in the house and try to stay warm. The highlight of his day so far was seeing his name and picture on "Good Morning Erie" on WJET, and having Trina and Tom wish him a happy birthday. Evan has already requested leftover cake for breakfast, and I'm sure we'll be playing Wheel of Fortune (one of his favorite presents) and doing 800 art projects and listening to the Muppet Show soundtrack many times this afternoon.

Happy 6th, Ev! We can't wait for another year full of fun and adventures with you!

Posted by jenny at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I still can't hear. This morning the doctor told me it could be 6-8 weeks before my hearing returns. My sister-in-law said she hoped my sense of smell was heightened because of this, but I haven't noticed anything. I'll keep you posted.

Evan is getting very excited for his birthday, which is now only a week away. He's counting the days--Thursday he takes his treat to school (the kids have off Friday and Monday), Sunday is his family party, and Monday is the magnificent birthday, complete with all of his favorite things and getting to do whatever he wants because it is his special day. It's shaping up to be a thrilling week.

Evan has also recently become a victim of the "me too" syndrome. He seems to want whatever his friends have. He wants a birthday party at Family First because two of his friends had them. He wants a black Nintendo DS because one of his classmates has one. When he came home one day last week and asked to go to "Disney On Ice", I knew we had a problem--he has watched maybe one Disney movie in his life, and he doesn't have any interest in any of the princesses.

Because of his difficulty interacting socially, we really haven't had to deal with any of this before. I definitely don't want him thinking that he can do or have something just because someone else does. But at the same time, Ev has never asked for much of anything, so it's tempting to give in to all his requests. I don't want him to feel like he can't have special things, but I know it's not right to indulge his every whim. So no big birthday party this year (I told him maybe when he turns 7 or 8), and he can earn a Nintendo DS if he's interested in working for it, and "Disney On Ice" is completely out of the question. It's a learning process for both of us, and I have a feeling it's going to be one of those long, difficult lessons.

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

Wow, do I feel like a bag of crap. I was the last one in the house to catch the cold that's been circulating since just after Christmas, and somehow I got it ten times worse than anyone else. I have a double ear infection that's left me feeling like my head is underwater and I just don't want to do much of anything. Here's hoping the antibiotic cocktail my doctor gave me will make me feel human again.

The Grady weaning thing has turned ugly. About four days after he started refusing to nurse, he started asking for it again. Aggressively. Like trying to rip my shirt of and screaming at my boobs. Alas, there is no more milk to be had, and if there is I'm not giving it up with manners like that. So I've stood my ground, and G has retaliated by cutting out his daily nap. He was falling asleep in his dinner tonight, but it's so clear he's winning this round. I guess I'm not going to have the last word here.

Posted by jenny at 8:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This week has been filled with little plumbing problems and snow and getting back into the routine of school and work. I've been trying to take down all things Christmas and find homes for all of the new toys. Add to all of this runny noses and achy bones, and that's life at our house. Today I've been catching up on laundry, and I washed all the throw blankets from the living room. I'm wrapped in a toasty afghan fresh from the dryer now, so that was definitely worth the effort. You have to take your little moments of joy where you can get them.

I'm thankful that it's Friday, even though it feels like Wednesday. I'm looking forward to the weekend, to having Mike home, to not having to be up and moving so early. It's hibernation time around here.

Posted by jenny at 1:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)