Can we make a puzzle?

I haven’t talked about my kids lately – other than them being sick or pissing me off. So here’s some updates.

Lil Kiss is in that TOTAL frustration stage. Almost 18 months. He wants to do things on his own, and do things like big brother, but can’t always figure it out or even tell us what he’s trying to do so he hollers.

A lot.

But he has lots of words and some sign language (more, milk, please) and recently learned to nod his head for yes. He used to yell YEEESSS while shaking his head. “So you do want this cheese?” “NO” with head shake (meaning yes). Take the cheese away. “WAHHHHH!” “Ok – you do want it.” Now? Head nods. Sweet.

He had strep and for a while was sleeping like a 2 month old (read: NOT GOOD). But that’s passed a little bit. Still goes down really early – like 6.15 or 6.30, but doesn’t typically wake at night anymore. If he’s up at 5am, and hollerin, we can usually give him some milk and he’s back asleep till 7ish.

He still gets a bottle. Kid is like Suri Cruise, I guess, w/out the Paps following him. But he knows how to do a sippy cup and hell – he’s my last kid and I’m not forcing that away from him yet (even tho the Pedi and my MIL and his daycare teachers said I should). He also uses a pacifier – and I don’t care about that, either. I sucked my thumb till I was 12. At least he won’t be using the paci at 12. I can take it away, unlike a thumb, that’s sort of attached.

He’s still got red hair and gap teeth. He loooooves tub time and loves being nekkid. If, by chance, anyone shows any sort of skin (like stretching and the shirt lifts to show belly) – he must.have.his.shirt.off.NOW. That sucks, especially if it’s a snap crotch kind. Insert Hollering.

So Big Kiss. My big boy is growing up. 3 ½ - he has so many sentences and expressions and emotions. He’s a super big brother, most of the time. Loves to do the “thumbs up and wink” gig – and fart for laughs (which we totally give into). He’s a good singer and dancer (total white boy, with the overbite and all). He knows our address and is workin on the phone number. The holey diapers did their trick, the kid now hangs out on the potty.

He loves to help – like making the oatmeal in the morning or baking with me or sweeping (oh, I’ve set them both up doing that, they can be occupied for hours!). He loves to share snacks w/ Lil Kiss in the back seat when we’re on a trip. He loves chewing gum. He loves having secrets w/ me (our way to get him to hide food from Lil Kiss – esp that may have peanuts or whatever and toys Lil Kiss can’t have).

And he loves to be near me. Well, 99% of the time. Actually, like on top of me. Watching t.v.? By my side. Most nights? Sleeps next to me (after a few hours in his own bed). Meal times? Must have Momma on the bench w/ him. My favorite is when he holds my hand, and our fingers intertwine and he says “we make a puzzle!” And when he says he has a secret and comes to my ear and he says “I love your hair!” or “I love you all the time” or “I like your coat.” And he loves nose kisses and lip smackin smooches.

I will be sad when those things go away, as I know they will w/ boys.

So that’s the haps. I can not WAIT for Spring. My children love being outside and when we have to bundle up all “Christmas Story-like” it’s just a pain in the ass. So when we can be out & aboot [that was on purpose, channeling my Upper Michigan heritage there] frolicking in the yard – everyone will be happy campers.