Not-so new jerseys

It's been well documented that Brady is into outfit changes all throughout the day but lately, it seems to have amped up.  If Brady wants to play baseball, he thinks its essential to look like a baseball player.  Eric made the innocent, but costly decision (and I'm not talking about money) to buy soccer cleats and shin guards for Brady to get ready for his upcoming soccer season.  Brady proudly donned his new kicks yesterday in the backyard.  It didn't take long for Brady to make the request this morning to put on his cleats and shin guards.  Unlike most of his clothes/shoes, Brady can not put these on by himself.  We had friends over, I was busy with Jackson, and I told him he could not wear his cleats.  My (semi) reasonable 3 year-old FLIPPED. 

I hosted a mom's group this morning so he had about 7 friends over and the first 6 that came in declined his request to play "dress up" with Brady.  The 7th, Marie, agreed and she came down wearing and oversized basketball jersey with pajama shorts with balls on them.  Brady calls them his "baseball shorts."  He decided he wanted to wear his baseball jersey and asked me if he could have his baseball shorts.  I told him that his friend was wearing them so he'd have to find something else.  You'd think I killed his puppy!  "But I want to be an outfielder!!!" he wailed while lying on our landing.  Marie's mom eventually convinced her to give up the shorts that meant so much to the distraught boy...but man, this kid has issues.

And also, laundry.  Brady is not doing me any favors.

Here's the visual story.

 

 

 

Bahama mama...without the kids

About 6 weeks ago, when I was debating whether or not to go to the Bahamas (why was this a debate?), I knew it would be to take our two kids.  For one, I'd have to travel by myself with them (while Eric traveled with the team).  Two, they needed passports, which is a ridiculous process.  The first passport appointment was two weeks after I called to inquire, and even with an expedited (more expensive) ordering process (3 week guarantee), it would be a close call to whether they would come on time.  Three, and most important, we have willing and able grandparents to keep our children, so I'm not sure why there was ever a debate!

After standing in a 45 minute customs line in Bahamas, I was confirmed that my decision to leave my children was a great one!  I was reaffirmed of this decision over and over during the weekend.  The Atlantis was a wonderful place to stay for families, but my kids are still at the age where a trip to grandmas is more fun than a trip to paradise.  And holy expensive...$27 for a small bottle of sunscreen, that's only the beginning.  Thankfully, I was invited on team meals, so my greatest expense for the weekend was a mojito by the pool (which was pricy, but worth it).

 

This adult-only, tops-optional pool is not indicative of the majority of the Atlantis, but we had the privilege of enjoying the last day here since Coach Williams secured a private cabaña.  Be assured the tops stayed on in our cabaña. 

Of course, the kids had a great time at Grandma and Pops which appeased any guilt that I didn't have.  And in other news, three days before we left, Jackson began sleeping through the night!  It may have had something to do with the fact I shut his door and my door the week leading up, so I can't confirm or deny how much he actually suffered to get to this point.  But he did great while we were gone, and has continued since he's been back.  He does wake up about 5 am and will go back to sleep only if he's tearing my hair out and sleeping in my bed, but I'll take it!

While we were FaceTiming with the kids one morning in the Bahamas, someone said, "Just so you know, Jackson, when you get back, there's no more mommy-milk!"

Total meltdown.

Huge tears.

Someone underestimated how attached (and intelligent) their baby was (hint: it wasn't me).

Jackson had the last laugh, though, since my 3rd attempt at weaning proved unsuccessful.  But we've cut back, and he's sleeping more, so we're at a good place!

And speaking of good place, I get to go back to the Atlantis at Thanksgiving!  The countdown is on!

Post-bath dance party

It's a mother's great struggle to take a video of her children while withholding her laughs so the camera doesn't jiggle.  I'm still working on this.

I love this dancing video of Jackson and also love his background dancer.  And the fact that he's trying to get Jackson to put on his "high socks". Find me a kid who thinks about his socks as much as my son...

Birthday video

My dear friend, Shawna, agreed to shoot a video for the boys' birthday party, just like she had done for Brady's 1st. She didn't disappoint and I'm so glad we'll have this to look back on.

http://vimeo.com/m/102790068

Dress up: Not just for girls

Brady plays dress up all day long. His first change usually comes right before naptime. He takes off whatever clothes he was wearing in favor of a jersey, basketball shorts, a warmup shirt (any long sleeve t-shirt), and high socks. My rule is that if he wants to take clothes on and off during the day, he has to do it by himself. I break my own rule sometimes when his head is in the arm hole or he's having a nervous breakdown because he can't get a sock on. But I try to be supportive...to a point.  

Brady's other favorite past time is asking questions. A lot of them. Here's our exchange before nap today:

Brady: I want to put my shoes on.

Amy: You can't wear shoes to bed.

B: But I wore shoes to bed yesterday.

A: Well mommy didn't realize that. But from now on, you can't wear shoes to bed.

B: But I need to wear shoes like the basketball players.

A: Basketball players don't wear shoes to bed

B: Why not?

A: Because shoes are dirty and they would get your bed dirty.

B: Why are shoes dirty?

A: Because you wear them outside

B: Why do you wear them outside?

A: Go to sleep.

These are the conversations I have all day long. 

Oh, and dress up is also not just for kids. 

Who doesn't have an Australia jersey lying around?

Santa Cruzin'

Ahh, California.  What a lovely state. Why must it be clear across the country?  Our trip to the west coast was successful and the wonderful week we had made up for the challenge of getting home.  I was sick, had only slept 4-5 hours, and oh yeah, was traveling with a 1 and 3-year old.  The latter is difficult enough but with the other two factors working against me, I was VERY happy to be home.  Thankfully, flights were mostly on time and kids were mostly good.  Hard to ask for much more than that.

Jackson was mostly terrible at night (and continues to be), but that's all I'll say about that.

We stayed in a house in Santa Cruz with my parents and my brother Brad's family.  Brady and his cousin Emma (who lives in Portland) got along like old pals and it was fun to see their cousin bond grow.  The other cousins had a slightly different experience.

Emma and Brady are both super easy going.  Reese and Jackson are what you call, "strong-willed children."  Somebody take a toy from Brady at this age?  No biggie, just slip him another.  Brave enough to take something out of Jackson's hand, or think you can ignore one of his many requests (illustrated by grunting and pointing)?  Good luck to you.

I think these videos accurately illustrates the contrast between the cousins' relationships.

 

 

 

 

The main event was my cousin Maggie's wedding, which was beautiful and more importantly, kid-friendly.

 

The day after the wedding, I served as a fill-in for the "Warf-to-Warf," the biggest road race in California.  Eric is still on the Injured Reserve list, so I suffered through 53 minutes of pain.  I've never run 6 miles in my life, but made it through and felt good after the race.  "After" being the key word.  It was a unique environment with beautiful views and good bands along the way.  I just wish I was able to enjoy either one of those.

The rest of the week was spent on the beach, the Boardwalk, family events, and all around Santa Cruz.  Eric and Brady hit up a Giants game in San Francisco and Eric came back looking a little haggard.  I probably looked similar!  Vacation certainly takes on a different meaning when you have children.  I'll let pictures tell the rest of the story.

 

 

 

Bedtime stories

10:15 on this Sunday night and both boys are still awake, despite numerous attempts to get them to sleep.  I went into Brady's room for the 5th time to lie down with him. The whines that have been coming from his room the last three nights have been concern about how he has to sleep by himself. Sleeping in a room with his cousin Emma in California spoiled him and we are relearning some things, including the Eastern time zone. Clearly we are not there yet. In an attempt to keep me in his room as I was just walking out, Brady said, "Mommy, I want to tell you a story." Intrigued, I took the bait. He asked what I wanted it to be about (I usually ask the same thing and basketball or football is usually the request). I said I wanted a story about friends. Here's what he came up with:

Mommy was at college with her friends. (Long pause). And she crossed her friends up and 3,2,1!! She shot it at the buzzer. And Tyler Hansbrough rebounded....and passed to J.P. Tokoto. The End.

I think he nailed it.