Today's Adventure

I'm getting old. Suddenly I'm having all kinds of dental issues. OK. Maybe not suddenly. I've had one tooth that's been giving me fits since I was pregnant with Big Sissy. After getting all numbed up for a root canal...TWICE...they decided that I should just have the tooth extracted and get an implant. But then I was pregnant and they wouldn't do it, and then I was pregnant again, and then I was pregnant again...

There's no waiting any more. Today I had to go get the tooth x-rayed so it can be extracted in a few weeks. It turns out there's no root left. The tooth is literally hanging on by my permanent retainer that has been behind my bottom teeth since 9th grade. I'm thinking I should get a discount on the extraction, but I doubt I'll be so lucky.

Often Hubby meets me at the doctor's office and entertains the kids while I have my appointment. Today, though, he was teaching a workshop and they told me it would just take a few minutes for a quick x-ray. I warned her about the entourage that comes with me, and she said that was fine. It was all good except the building is in Westport, an area that is not especially accustomed to having many small children around and where apparently no handicapped people work either. I got to the entrance, panicked when I realized there was NO WAY I was getting the Big Mama Graco stroller up the stairs, and asked a man who was walking out if there was another entrance. I pointed to the stroller, and made the mistake of assuming that he understood that's why I needed a different entrance. I walked all the way around the building and sure enough, there was another entrance. With more stairs. Ugh. Thankfully a more thoughtful businessman was walking by, and he helped me get the stroller into the building.

The appointment was quick, the nice lady at the front desk entertained my children while I had the x-ray, and this time I thought to ask if there was another way out. She told me I could park in the garage the next time, so I decided to go out through the garage. We must have looked hilarious in the yuppy business district--three of us pushing a big stroller down the ramp, ducking under the gate that raises for actual cars, and trying to stay out of the way of real traffic. It reminded me of a time I was with my friend Krista in high school. We were trying to go bowling at SIUE, which was the only acceptable place for nice Pentecostal girls to bowl since there is no smoking or drinking allowed. We had her parents' big Cadillac, and somehow we accidentally ended up on a bike trail. We barely got the car through the bike tunnel and had to drive over some concrete barricades to get back into a real parking lot. I don't know how I always end up in these situations, but I always have a reason to laugh!

Takeout Fail

I can't always recommend failblog.org because sometimes it's a little inappropriate, but this one cracked me up. So true...

Inchbug Labels

Remember when I was really wanting to buy decals for my minivan and new sippy cup labels? Well, I refrained. Don't go congratulating. I just spent money on other things instead. Something about the "minivan mommy" label turned me off to the decals. I know, I know, if the shoe fits.... but I'm in denial. Anyway, I ended up buying the Inchbug labels that I had already gotten for the girls.

I like that the kids can figure out whose is whose even before they can read (as long as you don't have more than 4 kids--there are only 4 colors to choose from). And they're not permanent. The more I thought about the permanent labels for Little Buddy, the more I realized that he's a 3rd child. You know what that means. He doesn't have much that belongs to only him. Sad, but true. So the labels that can easily peel off work well for us. That way they can mix and match sippy cups.

Here's what I don't like about the labels: One, they are hard to read. Many older nursery workers have "re-labeled" our cups because they didn't know it was a label. The words are the same color as the label. They thought they were just grips to help the kids hold on better, which isn't a bad idea. The other thing I don't like is the marketing.

They should just say "Makes life simpler" and leave it at that. That would be good enough for me. But really, "Learn Braille"??? Give me a break. If suddenly my toddlers went blind, assuming they could read anything, I don't think knowing the word "Inchbug" in Braille would change their life. It's not even their own name in Braille. And "Promotes Good Hygeine." If I could buy a little label that would teach them to brush their teeth, wash their hands, and not pick their noses, I would totally do it. But this isn't the product. But it does wash well, make a quick label, and serve the purpose nicely.

Oh to be a Fly in the Sewer

Big Sissy is a thinker. She is very resourceful, and actually helps me think through problems sometimes. For example, when she turned 4 and had her Fancy Nancy party, I was trying to think of "fancy clothes" for the boys to wear. She is the one who suggested using her hair bows as bow ties for them. Perfect! A couple of months ago, she got tired of waiting for me to refill Little Sissy's sippy cup, so she got out the milk, took the lid off, poured it into the cup, replaced both lids, and had the milk put away before I even knew what had happened. When Little Sissy came happily sauntering down the stairs with her milk, I bolted upstairs expecting to find a mess everywhere (which I deserved for wanting to finish my computer time before tending to their needs). Little Sissy announced, "I made a little mess, but I cleaned it up with 2 napkins and threw them away." Awesome. She can figure out anything. Awesome. And a little scary.

Tonight, out of the blue, she asked me, "So...how would you wash a ponytail holder?"
Me: Well, you could put it in the washing machine with the clothes, or you could just wash it in the sink with soap. Why?
Her: What if it was really dirty, like someone spilled chocolate milk or soup or something really wet like that on it?
Me: Mommy could help you get it clean.
Her: What if I couldn't find it?
Me: Then we can't wash it.
Her: One time, when I was 2 and didn't know any better, and I was potty training, I was wearing stickers. I dropped a sticker in the toilet, and I reached my hand into the potty water and got it. But now I know that's really, really gross.
Me: Yeah, that's really gross.
Her: That's funny, isn't it?
Me: That is funny. You never told me that happened. I'm glad you don't do that anymore. Eeeew.

So here's what I think happened. She dropped the ponytail holder into the toilet, she didn't want to stick her hand in there because now she's 4 and knows that's really gross, then when she flushed she "lost it." I don't think she knows where things go after they get flushed, so she's wondering, just in case she finds that ponytail holder before I do, how she can wash it without telling me what happened. Hmmmm...sneaky but pretty smart. I wish I could investigate to find out if I'm right.

Baby Bug

I was at my MOPS group on Tuesday, minding my own business, chatting with other grownups, when a nursery worker appeared at the door with a baby. It wasn't even my baby, but he was a-DORABLE. Cooing. Kicking his little legs. Smiling. And suddenly, I realized...I've got it again. The baby bug.

Me and Big Sissy at 1

As I think about it, this is the longest I've ever gone since we started having children without being pregnant. It doesn't help that I'm in the middle of weaning my little guy. I was all psyched up to wean him soon after he turned 1, but then he had a terrible bout with what seems to be lactose intolerance or dairy hypersensitivity. The mommy/protector kicked in, and I went back to nursing him 3 times a day. Now we've finally settled on soy milk, his gut seems better, and this week I dropped the night feeding. Only one more to drop, and then we're done. It seems so final. The thing is that he's not sad about it like his oldest sister was. He's a little confused but not sad. He is perfectly happy to eat a fun snack and drink soy milk from a big kid cup like his sisters do. He just gets a little confused when I try to rock him. No, this is definitely more emotional for me than for him. That's part of the baby bug, I think.

Little Sissy at 1

For those that have been following along, having another baby is NOT an option. Not physically. Probably not even emotionally. On days like today I feel like I have reached (or possibly exceeded) my patience capacity. So then why do I continue to keep every piece of baby gear and still pause when I pass by maternity stores at the mall? I think it's because being mama to these sweet little ones is the most fulfilling thing I've ever done. I like being needed. And adored. And needing and adoring in return.

Little Buddy at 1

As with all phases, I'm just going through an adjustment. I've never been great at embracing change. I'm sure I'll enjoy the time when they're in school and making new friends too, just as I enjoyed the times of being pregnant and picking out cute baby clothes. I'm just having a hard time letting go.

Packing Musts

I wish I had some real tips for packing. We go visit our family in IL pretty regularly, and I'm still always scrambling to get packed at the last minute. So I guess my tip is to not wait until the last minute. But never, never, never forget to pack these cute accessories. They're small, travel well, and double as hairbrush holders.

Corn on the Cob 101

First, try holding it like a sippy cup.

If that doesn't work, get handles.

Next, taste the handles.

If that doesn't satisfy, have Daddy hold it and DIG IN.

Watch this video to see the full effect.