It's All Randomness

The further I get into motherhood, and the further  Landon's personality develops, the more Randomness I find in my life.  

Here are a few glimpses of my life's Randomness......

A washcloth on Jillian's head.  Landon thought it would make a good decoration on her head.  Ironically it looks a bit like a bow.  

A tissue tucked into the leg of the exesaucer.  What? You've never thought of tucking a used tissue into your siblings' toy?  Landon did.

A sculpture of hangars on Josh's dresser.  What?  You've never thought of hangars as art??  Well at our house they turn into art, as well as swords, bats, window scrapers, chew toys, twirling-whirling boomerangs.....etc.  But I think I like them as art the best. 

He found an ink pad and decorated himself, to look like.....Hitler or Groucho Marx (spelling?).  Also got footprints on our floor and hand prints on our white leather couches.  This was a discovery that I teetered between laughing my head off and yelling my head off.  

I had cleaned Jillian's ears and apparently left the used Q-tips on a dresser instead of throwing them away.  Found him very proud of the idea he had.  Thank goodness they're "baby Q-tips" so the ends are too large to go far into the ear.  Honestly, it takes a talent to get baby Q-tips to perfectly balance and stay in your ears.  I dare you to try it.

This is one of the earliest Randomness I stumbled upon.  Mr. Potato Head eyes stuck in a hole of a bookshelf.  I was walking thru the room and sensed some eyes looking at me.  Then I realized the bookshelf was making googly-eyes at me.  

What?  You've never thought of sticking Mr. Potato Head pieces into random holes in furniture?  You've never had a bookshelf make googly-eyes at you?  

It's all Randomness at my house.  I capitalize it because it's become a state of being at my house, a lifestyle, and deserves to be recognized as more than just an simple adjective, it's more of a proper noun around here.  And the Randomness adds to the chaos; thus the name of the blog and the motto of my life!

To Remember #7

1.  Jillian has worn a backpack around the house for an hour; but struggles to wear a bow in her hair for more than a few minutes.
2.  When giving my parents their anniversary present, Landon said, "Happy Ann-uuuuuuhhhhhhhh-Nursery Rhyme!"
3.  In Mass I said to Landon, "That's Deacon Joe." He then said, "Stinkin' Joe?!"
4.  Landon announced to the family that he was a "Lepra-tard" ..... we think he meant Leprechaun.
5.  Jillian can say the following words.....  Hi, E-I-E-I-O, Daddy & Doggie (sound the same, but I count as 2 words!), Hey, Eye, uh-oh.
6.  Jillian thinks the time-out corners must be something awesome since Landon spends so much time in them.  After he gets out of time-out she walks over and stands in the corner too, trying to figure out what's so great about it that he would stand there for a few minutes!
7. Jillian LOVES babies!  Baby dolls, real babies.  She just wants to hug and love on them!!
8.  Jillian LOVES shoes.  Anybody's shoes really, but her's especially.  She literally throws a tantrum if I take them away from her to put them away.
9.  Landon has the "Our Father" the "Hail Mary" and the "Glory Be" prayers memorized.  We're now working on the "Guardian Angel" prayer, which he has memorized more of than me!
10.  Landon knows all his capital letters, some of his lower case letters, and most of the letter sounds.  Thank you LeapFrog videos!
11.  Jillian loves to play on slides and has little fear of them even if they're really high ones.
12.  Jillian loves music.  She dances or sings whenever she hears music.
13.  I wore a brown sweater dress for Christmas Eve, with brown tights.  When Landon saw me he said, "Wow Mama.  You look.....so very....brown!  You look pretty Mama."  Made me laugh and melted my heart!!

Wisdom to Live By

In the past year I've noticed that certain phrases, advice, and comments have guided some of the most crucial parts of my daily life.

I've also noted that certain phrases, advice, and comments have influenced the "big" moments in my life.  

Basically, these phrases, advice, and comments have turned out to be Wisdom I live by.  I thought I would document them here......so that one day when I get around to printing my "blog book" these things will be documented for my family......as well as to share them with my blogging world.

1. "It's easier to control a 6 year old than a 16 year old." ~ Nana  I've heard this throughout my life, as different cousins were born, as different situations would happen in tv shows or on the news.  And so far, it's proven true in every observable instance I've come across.  Basically, you better start disciplining and setting the boundaries and expectations of your parent-child relationship when they're young, because it's unlikely you'll be able to start when they're teenagers.  Teenagers still need their parents, their parents' advice and guidance, but something about adolescence instigates independence and rebellion; so if you want to have some level of influence and "control" when your children are teenagers, you'd better have some of level of influence and "control" to start with.  
2. "Children can control 2 things - what goes in and what goes out. Choose your battles."  ~ Mama  It's true.  Children have little control over their lives.  Their schedules, their tv shows, what's for dinner, it's pretty much all in control of the adults in their lives.  But there are two things they can control.  One being what goes in.  They control whether or not to open their mouth and accept the food you have so graciously provided.  They control whether  or not to spit out the food or whether to swallow it.  The second thing they control is how and when it comes out the other end.  They decide if they'll pee/poop "on command."  They decide if it goes in their pants or in the toilet or on the floor.  It is these two areas they have some level of control in, and they will take advantage when they realize it.  If you try to force feed, or force toileting, you're likely to lose, simply because you ultimately have less control than they do.  Be careful about battling and trying to control their actions when it comes to what goes in and what goes out.  
3. "At the end of your wedding day, all that matters is whether or not you're married.  Every other detail could be a complete disaster, you could walk down in the aisle in your bathing suit, but all that really matters is whether you're married."  ~ Allen Austin   Our culture today makes a HUGE deal out of a wedding.  Details like colors, themes, favors, and unique guest books sometimes take a more attention than the vows do.  But really, the point of a wedding is two people committing their lives to each other; and if Christian, making Christ the center of your relationship and living together in the way He calls us to live.  The point of the wedding is not what kind of cake you'll serve, what the table decor looks like, but it's about two people celebrating each other and their future together.  My friend Allen really simplified it for me when I was lamenting the details of planning my wedding by pointing out that at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is if we genuinely said our vows and are married.  Put the focus of the day in perspective, and the rest isn't such a big deal.  
4. "Forgiveness means to accept that what happened, the past, can't be different." ~ Oprah  Well, at least I think I heard this on Oprah!  But ultimately, this phrase really helped me grasp the concept of forgiveness.  When there have been people in my life I've needed to forgive, I have found that it is most difficult for me to forgive them when I am still angry or upset that whatever happened wasn't different.  As soon as I accept that what happened can't be changed, it is what it is, it's much easier for me to forgive them and move on.
5. "Who's teaching who?" ~ Dr. Coby Lund   Dr. Coby Lund is a Behavioral Therapist several of my clients hired to direct the behavior therapy for their children.  He taught me a lot about approaches to behavior therapy.  As a behavior therapist, I'm suppose to be teaching a child certain behaviors or skills.  One of the things Coby taught me was to look at an interaction and ask "Who's teaching who?"  For instance, a child who throws tantrums .......are we teaching him to not throw tantrums, or is he teaching us to avoid the triggers for the tantrums?  Are my children teaching me to be a short order cook, or am I teaching them to eat a variety of food and to eat what's cooked for them?  When you start paying attention to "Who's teaching who" (or is it "whom"....hmmmm),  it will really help you to see what you're doing as a parent or as a teacher, etc.

Christmas 2011

Here's my post about Christmas 2011.  Better late than never!

Christmas with Gramma

First Christmas celebration was with Josh's mom.  

Kristen entertained the kids while they waited to decorate cookies. 

We managed to squeeze all the kids at the little picnic table for Cookie Decorating.  Frosting and Sprinkles G.A.L.O.R.E.  

 Had to eat the cookies right away!

Jillian thought the cookie decorating was interesting to watch for a few seconds, but opted for the stairs as the more entertaining activity.  She climbed them ALL night. 

Then they decorated hot chocolate mugs to have at Gramma's house for years to come! 

Jilly was not going to miss out on the coloring! 

She colored and colored, even after the big kids were done! 

There was painting the sliding glass door.   

The kids watched a movie while we adults ate dinner.  We learned last year that a giant family dinner was not peaceful or enjoyable for the adults.  This year the kids got hotdogs and mandarin oranges, and later the adults ate lasagna and salad.  SOOOOOO much more enjoyable for all of us!

This picture makes me laugh!!!  Esther Grace was yelling, just to yell.  She looks upset in this picture but she wasn't, she was just yelling because she's two and she's Esther Grace.  Landon thought she was upset so his hand is on her should trying to comfort her, but you can see his mouth----gritting his teeth trying not to yell as I had already reprimanded him for yelling.  And then there's poor Charlie, who REALLY didn't like the yelling and screaming happening right next to his ear.  And he's so sweet, he just covered his ears and begged for someone to make her stop.

Opening of stockings.  Candy and little knick-knack toys.  Biggest hits were the bubbles, bouncing playdoug-like stuff, and of course, the chocolate! 

Jillian liked the box more than the present of course!

More presents opened and handed out, but as that whole scha-bang happened the less pictures I was able to take.  Yay for our first Christmas event for 2011!!

Christmas with Pops and Nanalis

Christmas Eve we celebrated with my parents, siblings, and my Nana.  

 They got a little kitchen, complete with Chef's hat and apron!

Jillian got a grocery cart that she loves to put her babies in and then push around. 

Traditional three siblings picture. 

Pops & Nanalis with Grandkids. 

Candid shot showing how we really feel when taking group pictures with our kids.  It's not an easy task. 

All the kids, in-laws, grandkids. 

As per tradition, we open stockings first.  Landon received a Recorder flute-thing and an umbrella.  I then entertained the family with a rendition of Mary Had a Little Lamb and Amazing Grace on the Recorder (I remembered from sixth grade.....can't remember half the stuff I learned in college, but I can remember how to play two songs on the Recorder I learned 17 years ago).  

 Pots and pans set for the kitchen; that often turn into a steel drums set now.

 Landon got a "Claw" that he used to clean up all the wrapping paper and trash.  He literally cleaned up the whole room while the adults opened presents.  

 Nana with her baby and Jillian with her baby!  Jillian grew very impatient waiting for this baby to be "released" from the plastic ties keeping it in the packaging; so impatient she began yelling and crying at my Nana, who apparently was taking too long to "free" the doll.

Nana with her Great Grandkids.  

My favorite moment from Christmas Eve was at our house when we were getting ready for Mass.  I had finally decided what to wear and had put on my brown sweater dress and brown tights.  Landon looked at me and said, "Oh Mommy, you look so very brown!  You're so beautiful!"  His comment still makes me laugh!  So sweet when he wants to be.

Christmas with Papa and Grammy

This was a very special Christmas with Papa and Grammy.  ALL their kids, and ALL their grandkids were in town at the SAME time.  It was the FIRST time ALL the grandkids were together.......TEN kids, oldest having just turned 5, youngest being 5 months!

Papa and Grammy and ALL TEN grandkids.

TOP Row: Sarah(5), Jonah(4), Charlie(5), Ava(2.5)

BOTTOM Row: Jarek(2), Zachary(5months), Lucas(10months), Jillian(almost 1), Landon(2.5), Esther Grace(2)

The WHOLE Family.

Yay for our family of four! 

All the cousins playing. 

Awaiting the presents being handed out. 

The opened-presents CHAOS!

One of the events I missed with the camera, but certainly want to mention.........many of the cousins ate Christmas Brunch picnic-style on a blue tarp that was laid out in the living room.  It was decided that would be the easiest way to feed them, protect carpeting, and clean up any mess---with a garden hose!

It was a really fun and fast Christmas season for us!  

Decorating Our Tree

We "decorated" our tree last week.  I put quotation marks up because, as it turns out, we're able to cover it in lights but ornaments have to remain only at the TOP two feet of the tree.  Landon just can't refrain from touching them and they drop and break every time.......again, gentle just isn't his thing.

Here are a few pictures......

 Jillian was in AWE of the lights.  She stood there pointing for a few minutes and kept saying "oooooooo!!!!!!"

 We let Landon hang a few ornaments and Jillian was quite intrigued with what he was doing.

 In the picture above he's pointing the broken ornament he hung.  

Below is a close up of it.

He dropped it before getting it on the tree but didn't let that get in the way of his final mission -- hanging it on the tree.

Eavesdropping on my "Sweet" Boy

Landon was playing on my bed while I was brushing my hair in my bathroom.

As he was playing with a teddy bear and his "Bear Lovie" I overheard the following.....

I love you, you love me.......I love you, you love me......  A kiss for you - kiss kiss kiss, a kiss for you -- kiss kiss kiss, (at this point I'm thinking "awwwww, so stinkin' sweet and cute")  a hug for you -- hug hug hug, a hug for you -- hug hug hug, a choke for you -- choke choke choke.........

*sigh*

That's my boy.............sweetness and aggression, all wrapped into one.

Poor Jillian

When I took Jillian to the Pediatrician for her 9 month check-up the doctor asked, "So, is she saying 'MaMa' or 'DaDa' ?"  And I sighed and said, "No, she's really not trying to copy our speech," knowing that she should be making some attempt to say words and to mimic our speech, but is not.  At that moment Landon  handed Jillian a hot wheels car.  Jillian instantly said, "OOOoooooooo!!!" as she turned it over in her hands, inspecting it.  She then promptly started making "eeerrrrrrrrrr, eeeerrrrrr" sounds --- the same sounds that Landon makes when he's playing with cars.  I then comment to the doctor, "But apparently she can make car noises!  Oh, and she mimics Landon's yelling.  Do those attempts count for copying our speech?"  

Poor Jillian.  Being the second child means she hasn't been "drilled" with copying our speech or prodded to say, "MaMa" nearly as much as she would have being a first child.  Being the second child, with an older brother, means she mimics yelling and car noises more than other noises.  Poor Jillian.

I was given (and am still given) outrageous amounts of hand-me-downs for Landon.  I happen to know a lot of boys just a little older than him, so truly have outrageous amounts of clothes in all sizes for him.  However, we don't know that many girls that much older than Jillian that we can get hand-me-downs from, so her wardrobe is lacking in comparison to Landon's.  So, I spend money on her daily-wear clothes.  Things people will see her in.  I don't really spend money on pajamas.....because I have a ton of those, in all sizes, even if they are boy pajamas.  No one sees her in them but us.  And we know she's a girl, so it's okay for her to wear blue, and truck-decorated clothing around the house!!!  But, Poor Jillian, being the second child, with an older brother, means she wears boy clothes on occasion, even though she's a girl, and that she's wearing boy clothes in a lot of pictures taken around the house.

And finally.........Poor Jillian.  She has Landon, of all brothers in the world, to have as her model for behavior.  He is and will be a GREAT big brother.  He's quite protective of her already and watches out for her; BUT he's quite wild and aggressive and that's all she watches all day ---- him being wild, loud, and aggressive.  

Here is a video, that really shows what I mean......

I'll soon be posting about the specific prayers I have for each child........but this post makes me think I should add, "Please Lord, help make her a lady" to the prayer I have for Jillian!!