11.30.19 - joy statuses

11.30.19 - Kid snippets: and don't poke Calvin's eye

We put the girls to bed awhile ago but Jane kept fussing so I went in to check on her. She was fine but when I walked in I saw the Christmas lights I've told Clara not to touch mysteriously swinging while Clara sat too innocently on her bed.

Me: Clara, I told you not to touch these. Don't touch them again.
Clara (slightly forlornly): Okay.
Me: Clara, you know what else? ...I love you.
Clara: I love you. AND...don't pick your nose. And don't poke Calvin's eye.
Me: Yes, that's true.

Christmas lights make the nursery so bright.

11.28.19 - Thanksgiving day Kid Snippets

Jane and Clara are pushing/pulling Calvin's rocking chair to bring him into my room, but it gets stuck.
Jane (2.5 years old): Dammit!
Me: Um, no, can you say "darn it"?
Clara: Darn it!
Me: Good job.
Jane: No! DAMMIT!

Calvin was happily cuddling a burp cloth.
Clara: Mom, we gotta get this blanket so he can see us.
Me: No, leave him alone. He's cuddling the blanket. He can still see you.
Clara: Calvin, can you share? [pauses, uses a different voice] "Yes!" [back to her normal voice] Mom, Calvin says he can share!

I made the mashed potatoes and asked Clara if she wanted to try some. She looked at my mashed potato-covered finger uncertainly, took the tiniest of licks, raised both eyebrows and said "Yum!" and then ate the rest eagerly.

Clara liked how her plate separated the food.

11.27.19 - Kid snippets: cheewios for Thanksgiving

Last night Jane listed everything she thinks we're eating on Thanksgiving: "mashed tatoes, con on cob, chips...waisins...cheewios..."

Also last night I asked Clara if I could have a hug. She ran up and gave me a big hug and, even though I hadn't said anything else, she whispered in my ear "I love you too."

11.25.19 - (Early) Thanksgiving in Colorado

The travel day was not bad at all. Calvin slept on the way to SMF and we made it through security no problem. At the gate he hung out with me watching out the window while I messed on my phone. Once we boarded Neil and Emily were already on the flight because they very graciously left Portland early so they could help me with him from SMF to DEN.
Emily slept most of the flight and Neil and I visited and did crosswords together. He helped me a lot by holding various items while I adjusted Calvin. It makes a big difference. Once we landed they helped watch my stroller and things while I changed Calvin and got readjusted. We met up with Everett, then Henry, and all drove back to COS together chatting happily and driving carefully because it was snowy. Calvin slept the whole way. What a good traveler.
It was great to get to Tejon and not be concerned about gluten. Matt made a bunch of pizzas in the brick oven and we enjoyed those with some wine. Miss Kristin took Calvin and we all went to early karaoke (we arrived about 7pm). It was also great to go out and know that I wouldn't have to wake up, move, and try to get back down two toddlers at the end of the night. Getting a little baby to go back to sleep is a bit easier. So I really enjoyed the karaoke night. I just had a few Angry Orchard's and tried a few new karaoke songs (some worked (Ruby Baby) and some didn't (Written in the Sand), but it was good to try), and just generally enjoyed myself.
Afterward, we all traipsed to the Air BnB. Actually we drove because it was pretty cold out, but the place is so close by (half a block) that we probably could've walked just as easily. The Air BnB was adorable - a little cottage with a cozy bedroom downstairs and several more beds in the A-frame attic. We set up the pack and play in the downstairs bedroom and Calvin and I slept there peacefully. And because it was just me, there was plenty of space to bring Calvin in bed through the night and nurse him while half sleeping, which is something I always really enjoyed with Jane and was glad to get a chance to do with Calvin for once. In fact in general it was great to get to spend so much time with Calvin, just the two of us. Now that I'm back at the lab I don't see him as much during normal weeks and it was good to get lots of cuddles in. It doesn't hurt that he's mostly very easy and cheerful and everyone else also enjoys seeing him.
It was great to stay at an Air BnB so close, because I could just walk Calvin and me back and forth whenever I needed to without impacting anyone else's schedule or needing to borrow a vehicle.

[This as far as I was able to write at the time, the rest are just my quick notes.]

--Our Air Bnb is adorable and cozy, with plenty of space for Calvin and me to have our own room. Plus it's less than a block from Dad's house, so we can just walk back and forth.

--Emily took Calvin so I could take a much needed nap. I slept peacefully on Dad's huge bed for probably 1.5-2 hours and the other adults just took care of Calvin, feeding him and keeping him busy. It made a huge difference in the overall day.

--It was the most relaxed Thanksgiving day we've had, probably because there were fewer people, especially children, and because Matt did all the cooking so Dad wasn't stressing about it.

--And so of course the food was especially amazing, including bacon wrapped turkey stuffed with rum-soaked fruit or something.

--Calvin fell asleep right before it was time to eat dinner so I got to eat the whole dinner in peace. In fact I specifically remember sipping lavender wine (weird but delicious) and telling the room in general that I was in such a good freaking mood because I felt well-rested and was about to eat an amazing meal and Calvin was being very easy and I got to hang out with everyone.

--Then I got to sit on the couch and cuddle and play with Calvin while most of the other adults cleaned up the mess of a kitchen.

--Everett took Calvin so I could play the Paper Game, and I got through almost the entire game before needing to tend to him. When it was time to read our cards and I was taking care of Calvin, Rocket was very happy to read my cards for me, which was sweet.

--Henry went ahead of me to the Air Bnb to set up the pack and play, so when we got home I was able to sing to Calvin to calm him enough to nurse him lying down (my favorite, and something I've really enjoyed on this trip) and then put him to bed.

--Then I got a good 2.5 hours sleep before I needed to pump again, which is when I took the chance to write all this out real quick. And of course then go back to sleep.
--We made no plans for Sunday so we were able to lounge and play games and pivot at our leisure.
--I got to play a game of Catan while Emily and Henry kept Calvin busy/happy.
--I laughed a lot at how one-sided the game was and, actually, how good Rocket was and how he kept accidentally trash talking.
--I enjoyed Thanksgiving leftovers all day, especially cheesy potatoes.
--I got to visit with Ellen for awhile. I don't get to talk to her as much anymore because she's so busy with residency so it was good to chat one-on-one while we unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher.
--We rewatched all of Dad's 60th Birthday video and then decided to watch the 50th one as well.
--I got to play two games of Quiplash while Calvin leaned against Emily and happily hung out with everyone. I laughed very, very hard, especially when Everett answered "What should the next Lucky Charms marshmallow be?" with "Hot sog mmmm burger meat so good marshmellow." Seriously. Laughed until I cried.
It was such a fun and relaxing trip.

11.18.19 - Kid snippets: Chawwy Bwown!

Jane is looking at a book with Snoopy on the cover.
Jane: Mama eee S N O O Q Y? What it spells?
Me: Snoopy
Jane: No! Chawwy Bwown!
Me: Okay

11.15.19 - Kid snippets: Calvin coos between eating & Clara just don't do it

After every few sips from his bottle, Calvin will pause to coo a few times, then continue. Jack thinks that, like himself, Calvin does it because he enjoys drinking really cold drinks (his bottles usually come straight from the fridge).

Jack : How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?
Clara: 14 times.
Jack: Okay, well...that's very specific.
Clara: Dad, how many times?
Jack: One time. No, zero times! I shouldn't have to tell you at all.
Clara: ZERO times?! What???
Jack: Yes, the opposite of Nike. Just don't do it!

11.11.19 - Kid snippets: kids helping clean

I was having the girls help clean up the nursery. Jane was in charge of putting the fake food back in its purple drawstring bag. She was doing an excellent job and I kept complimenting her. After a while I sat down with her and put some of the food in the bag myself and she immediately said "Good job Mama!" So encouraging.

Meanwhile instead of wanting to help us clean up the million toys all over the nursery floor, Clara mostly just wanted to dust the bunk bed. Less helpful but I guess her heart's in the right place.

11.8.19 - Kid snippets: treasure pocket

If we try to put clothes or shoes on Jane that she thinks are too small, she'll get a desperate look on her face and say "Not big! NOT BIGGG!"

Today Clara wore camo pants with a side pocket. I asked her if she wanted to take anything in her pocket to school, and we chose one of the clear flat marbles that fill one of my candle holders. She ran to the living room to show Jack, brandishing her entire leg and asking him to ask her "What's in there?" Then she proudly pulled out the marble and said "It's a treasure! It's a treasure pocket!"

11.2.19 - Kid snippets: that hurts me BUDDY

During an ABA therapy game, Clara hid under the covers in my room. The therapist pretended not to know where Clara was and decided to lie on the bed. Clara didn't like that and in a high-pitched but fierce voice said "HEY! That hurts me! That hurts me, BUDDY!"

11.1.19 - Hobby Lobby with the girls

Took the girls with me to look for Halloween/fall decor discounts and they had a wonderful time. They were so excited about all the beautiful crafts and decorations that we ended up walking slowly through the entire store just so they could look. Jane's favorite part was all the fake pumpkins and pumpkin-based decor. Clara's favorite parts were the large artificial Christmas trees and an oversized Rudolph doll.

And while the three of us got out of the house and took our time exploring, Jack got to enjoy some peaceful one-on-one time with Calvin, who basically watched Jack clean and offered emotional support in the form of smiles and coos. And that in turn means *I* got to return to a much cleaner-than-usual apartment.

Oh, plus I bought one new Halloween decoration and a couple things for a Thanksgiving craft I'm making, all for less than $10. So yeah, win for everyone involved. :)

Those red flowers? Hobby Lobby sale.

11.1.19 - Kid snippets: is it Halloween yet?

Last night I was taking down Halloween decorations and putting up Thanksgiving/fall decorations. Clara asked why and I explained that Halloween is over until next year. Just now Clara got home from school and asked "Is it Halloween yet??" Guess she enjoyed it this year.