Bleary-Eyed

5:30 is way too early to be up on a Saturday. In fact, 6:30 is too early, too. Bean Dip came wandering around that time, and I managed to keep him in his room, playing, until about 10 minutes ago. G woke up too, but was happy, and now I think she is asleep again. Of course, once Bean Dip is awake it is very hard for me to go back to sleep, so I dozed for a while, listening to them on the baby monitor, then snuck out make some coffee. Now BD is sitting next to me, reading a book (There were Ten Bears in the Bed; I can't add a photo for some reason. Maybe because it is TOO early!). Anyway, he is reading his book and saying, "I want to watch TV. TV makes me happy." I will turn it on at 7.

Speaking of TV, we have been doing a little better at watching less, despite the greatness I have found in the form of Netflix instant viewing on the Wii. The last couple days we've had it on in the morning and then during quiet time, and I'm hoping to start weaning him (and me) down from that. I am going to look at couches today for our family room. I'm thinking it will help if we can sit in a room that doesn't have a TV.

We have been spending a lot of time outside, despite the heat and humidity. I love how our backyard is set up -- we have a shaded porch and almost like a little courtyard that is hidden from the street. It is perfect for the kids to have naked water time and setting up my clothes drying rack. I was sweeping the concrete yesterday and almost felt like I was back in Italy.

OK. Time for more coffee and TV.

Friday Flashback

In honor of Memorial Day, the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. April 2006.

Field Trip

We took a little field trip to the fire station on Tuesday. The Meetup group set it up. What could be better than fire trucks?
Well, Bean Dip, as usual these days, immediately said he didn't want to go. Then he said he didn't want to go to the fire station, he wanted to go to the train station.
I think he enjoyed himself. At least by the end.

I think I needed to stay 500 feet back from this face.

But I saw a hint of a smile while he was driving this one.

Hoops

Yeah, that's right. Hula-hooping is making a comeback in this household. I'd also like to point out that all these men are Iraq/Afghanistan War veterans. So no questioning their masculinity. This is great exercise! (And really entertaining!)

More on our spontaneous, super-secret trip north later.

Trains

Lunch Time

Media Monday

This is what I'm reading now.


And this is what I just read. My mom sent me a copy months ago, and it got lost in the mail. (She thinks it got confiscated because of the giant pot plant the author is holding.) I finally went out and bought it. It was about living on a commune in the Southwest in the 1970s. Very interesting and really good.

More from Michelle

If you read her post yesterday, read today's as well. You can find it here.

(Hope you don't mind, Michelle. What you are writing about is so important. I am planning on reading the book.)

War

Please read Michelle's post today. You can find it here.

And also this.

This is what it is all about

Mother's Day 2010, Destin, Florida.

Splash!

Fun times at the Splash park on post.

Growing Up

My little baby girl is sleeping in her crib, which is no longer in our room. I moved her into Bean Dip's room on Sunday, and after a rough first night (for me), we are getting used to it. G was perfectly happy with the change, she loves her big brother, and she is definitely sleeping better without me so close (I swear she knows when I'm awake or just passing through). She's been only waking up twice a night now, and at almost the exact same time every night (10 and 2).

And what does Bean Dip think about it? Well, he acted exactly as I thought he would when he saw the crib: total breakdown complete with tears, screaming and pulling on the crib bars to move it. Luckily, it only lasted about 10 minutes, and then he was happy to have her in there. He really likes using the rocking chair to climb into the crib and jump on the mattress, or play with her mobile (his old one). The best part? He is also sleeping in his own bed in his own room. He is still coming in sometimes to sleep in his sleeping bag, but at least he isn't putting up a fight about sleeping in his "bee" bed. Maybe G scares the monsters away?

Sunday Morning

So I'm kind of wondering why I got up so early. Well, by early I mean 7:15. It's now almost 8 and everyone else is still sleeping. I could have slept in. However, enjoying my emails and coffee in total peace is a luxury I don't get very often.

I've had big news from my college roommates this week. One got engaged, and the other had her first baby. I am so excited for both of them. I'm also so glad that we are closer to the Midwest, so I can be closer to them!

My sister-in-law is back from Africa! Once again, glad we are so much closer to the Midwest, although if we were still in Italy, I may just be getting back from Paris. She spent three days there on her way home.

G had a weight check this week and at this rate, she will be too long for her infant car seat next month, but she will be facing backwards for the next three years. And now we are on a "G can eat pretty much whatever she wants" diet. I had to see the stupid doctor again but she wasn't quite as stupid as last time. I still have to go discuss all that with Tricare, not something I'm looking forward to; it means another trip to the health clinic with two kids in tow.

Bean Dip slept in his room last night with no fights, and I think today we are going to move G into his room. With Win starting flight school soon, he is going to need his sleep. And it just feels like it is time.

Bean Dip just stumbled out of his room and is now reading the letters off the cover of my "In Touch." I can also hear G talking in her crib. The morning has started.