Heartstring-Pulling Moment of the Day

Yesterday, Boo Boo broke part of his armor's breastplate so that it won't stay on him anymore. He was beside himself when I couldn't fix it, but he had to play on.

This morning he seemed surprised that it was still broken, and was upset all over again that I couldn't do anything about it.

In desperation, he looked at one of our posters of the Stations of the Cross on the wall and said, "Jesus? Can you fix it? Can you help my armor?"

(P.S. Any ideas how to fix the plastic armor? Duct tape doesn't help. Or any ideas of some more durable armor for knight-crazy boys?)

His Mother's Son

Boo Boo definitely takes after his father in his love of and need for order in the world. But yesterday, I witnessed some convincing evidence that he is undoubtedly a child of mine.

I was sitting down for a blood-sugar pick-me-up in the middle of the afternoon, when Boo Boo sidled up to me. I tend to snack on the sly -- as he's usually allergic to what I am eating! -- but I had let my guard down this time. I was eating chips and salsa is full view of him.



He saw the tortilla chips and asked the inevitable. Instinctively, I cringed ... until I remembered that he actually could eat the corn-based chips. So I invited him to climb up and sit next to me, and he dug into the bag with fervor and delight. Next he asked, "Mama, what's that?" pointing to the salsa. I realized that the could actually eat that, too! "It's salsa, honey; do you want some?" He said excitedly, "Oh yes, Mama!"



So he began dipping his chips in the salsa, and started the love affair that I share with this particular snack. "Mm mm mm! This is so good! I weawwy, weawwy wike this!" he declared. Even little brother had to try some.

Then I decided to be really gutsy, and share my juice spritzer with Boo Boo. (I hardly ever, ever let him have juice and had avoided this moment for a long time so I could drink my favorite beverage in peace!) After one drink, his eyes lit up and he exclaimed, "This is better! I wove this!" And after he took the last swig, he pointed to the can and said to me, "This is all in my stomach; my big fat stomach!"



He's been asking me all day today for more chips, but I've held strong. I don't want to make it a daily habit, but I will let him indulge in this new guilty pleasure from time to time -- and help him finish the bag of chips! He is a boy after my own foodie heart! =)

Our Persistent Little Engineer

I knew this day was coming ... it was only a matter of time.

This morning as I was walking by the fish tank, I noticed the packets of weekend fish food floating in the water. Immediately I sent Boo Boo into a time out ... until I gave the circumstances some more thought. "Did X-Man put those things in the fish tank?" I asked him, and he said, "Yes, Mama." Sorry Boo Boo! =(



Then after lunch, I watched with amusement as X-Man pulled off his little sock. I left the room for a moment, and returned to find the boys gathered round the fish tank, and X's sock floating in the water! I fished it out, put it down, and dragged Boo Boo off to change his Pull-Up. After that, I went to find X for naptime stories, and guess what was back in the tank! =P

I had to get serious now. I duct taped the little door on the hood of the tank closed so X couldn't open it again, and went back to Boo Boo's room for stories. X joined us moments later.

It wasn't until after I got them both down for naps and walked into the living room that I saw what X had put in the tank this time -- my sock! The little stinker had stuffed it through the opening in the back, by the filter!




We have declared that his previously endearing nickname of "Dumpling" will henceforth be changed to "Turkey Dumpling."

Peaks and Valleys

So, how was our trip? You may be left wondering from my previously cryptic post. Our time in Minnesota can be summed up in the following high points and low points.

* High: Boo Boo having lots of outdoor fun, playing with Grandma and Auntie Krump in the snow for hours, and going to the zoo.

* Low: Missing a special party planned by our dear friends.

* High: Having Auntie Kim stay with us for two days.



* Low: Boo Boo having an allergic/asthmatic reaction while staying at his beloved grandparents' house.

* High: Boo Boo finally falling asleep in the car late Friday night when my dad and I tried to take him to the hospital the first time.

* Low: Ending up going to the Children's Hospital ER Saturday morning anyway.

* High: Boo Boo responding beautifully to the oral steroids, and getting to watch hours of Animal Planet while getting treated in the ER.

* Low: Moving all of our stuff from my parents' house to our old house after our visit to the hospital.



* High: My having a delicious candlelit dinner with an old friend, and Dear Husband going to a Wild-Red Wings hockey game.

* Low: Neither of the boys ever sleeping through the night.



* High: Christmas morning Mass at St. Augustine with the Liturginator (ad orientem, folks!), seeing my 90- and 94-year old grandmas and eating too much good food.

* Low: Leaving Dear Husband behind in Minnesota.

* High: DH being able to accompany us through the airport security checkpoint and to the gate.




* Low: The plane ride back to Texas -- especially when the lady in front of us asked to be moved because of the boys, and told me as much!

* High: The extra seat next to us that we got to use after two women in succession vacated it ... and guess why?!

* Low: When I somehow caught X-Man's lip in the car seat restraint on the taxi ride home, and made it swell and bleed.

* High: That the boys scuttled happily into our house and busily got to work playing with their toys; Boo Boo asked me immediately, "Mama, can you help me put on my armor?"

An Early Return

Due to a series of unforeseen events, the boys and I are back in Texas the day after Christmas. Dear Husband has job interviews in Minnesota for the rest of the week (please pray!) and is flying back with his sister on Sunday; we were supposed to fly with them originally.

Alas, I have learned another hard lesson of detachment in the last few days of this year of growing pains -- detachment from the things I had wanted to do, places I had wanted to go, and people I had wanted to see while in Minnesota. Sigh.

I am missing some lost opportunities in my old home, but I have to say that I'm relieved to be back to my new home. The boys are fed, bathed, and snuggled in their own beds, and I am consoled by the satisfaction of those simple things.

Winter Wonderland

Auntie Krump took the boys outdoors for some snowy adventures the first full day we were in Minnesota. This was X-Man's first sled ride!

Going Dark

OK, folks. Tomorrow, around lunchtime, the boys and I are taking our last solo flight -- this time to Minnesota for Christmas. (Dear Husband will follow at the end of the week.)

I can't imagine that I'll be posting much -- if at all -- the next two weeks until we return for the New Year (with a young Auntie in tow!).

Hope you all have a blessed and joyful Christmas. O come, o come, Emmanuel!

How We Do It

I was hanging out with a new friend the other day who is a native of El Salvador. When apologizing for her messy house, she said to me, "I don't know how you American women do it. Everyone in El Salvador has a full-time maid, a nanny. The women get manicures and pedicures and do whatever they want all day."

Her observation certainly stuck in my head. I often wonder the same thing: "How are we supposed to do everything that needs to be done? How does everyone else do it? Is this humanly possible for one person?" Full-time help would certainly come in handy.

I've considered getting a mother's helper someday to get a break occasionally from the boys, or have someone do a deep clean of the house sometime, but would I really want someone else to do everything for me every day? After much thought, I'd decided: no.

Running a house and caring for small children full-time is a lot of hard work. Diapers. Crumbs. Laundry. And more diapers. It seems endless, and never completed. But it's my job.

My husband and I have made this choice for our family for many reasons, most of which for the benefit of our children. But as I struggle from time to time with my role as wife and mother, I am more and more convinced that this struggle -- and all this hard work -- is for my benefit, too. It's the best way for me to become a better person; the person God wants me to be. Other people have their own ways, but I know that this is my path to grow in virtue. This is how I learn humility, kindness, patience and diligence.

It's tempting to drop the boys off at day care, mother's day out, preschool, etc. People tell me to do it all the time. And I could hire someone to come in and take over my house.

But I know that's not right for me, not right now. I just have to make the decision every day to do it, with the help and by the grace of God alone.

Gratuitously Cute Photo of the Week

The other day it was 77 degrees and raining cats and dogs, so we took a puddle walk in the warm December rain. Boo Boo is signing "rain" here for his little brother.

Trading Places

God Bless Boo Boo

Three years ago today, Boo Boo was dunked three times in a big gold immersion bowl, and began his life in Christ.

I'll never forget the sight of him under water, screaming with his mouth open! Unconsciously, Dear Husband and I took a step closer to the bowl each time Boo Boo was dunked, in a protective measure. Watching him being immersed made me realize that baptism was truly a death of the "old man," and the birth of the "new man" in Christ.

We chose the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe for his baptism day, and prayed that he would have a special relationship with the Blessed Mother.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

No White Christmases in Texas

It's nearing Christmastime in Texas, and it's nowhere near white. It's definitely still green, with a little brown. I found a little red when I finally realized that the tall shrub in our front yard was HOLLY!

It didn't occur to me what it was until I got into Christmas mode a few weeks ago, and remembered that my Texan aunt used to mail holly to us this time of year. Who knew!

This morning, at 6am, it was 73 degrees; kids at the school bus stop were wearing shorts. It's supposed to get up to the 80s today.

I have to say that I'm excited to fly back to Minnesota next week and see everyone, but I'm not looking forward to the cold, ice and snow! =P

In the meantime, enjoy this pitch-perfect song for our first Christmas, Texas-style:

If you dream of horse-drawn carriages
Dashing through the snow;
Before you move to Texas
There's something you should know ...

That they don't have White Christmases in Houston.
I've lived here most my life and I should know.
I've prayed and I've pleaded for way too many years
But they just don't have White Christmases down here.

I've heard of winter carnivals in Aspen.
It looks just like a winter wonderland.
But remember while you're freezin' throughout this Christmas season
We'll be down here with Christmas cheer and flip-flops in the sand.

I've seen all those Christmas shows on TV.
Blankets of white powder; my, how grand!
But while you've got snow and holly, I'm feastin' on tamales;
Sittin' on my back porch with an iced tea in my hand.

That they don't have White Christmases in Houston.
I've lived here most my life and I should know.
I've prayed and I've pleaded for way too many years
But they just don't have White Christmases down here.

Feeling the Spirit

Last night, as we were saying grace before dinner, we noticed that X-Man put his little hands together. "Are you praying with us?!" we exclaimed excitedly. He just solemnly kept his hands together, and we got a chance to snap this photo...

Then this morning, at a very, very quiet Latin Mass, Dear Husband and I got distracted handling Boo-Boo in the pew. (We were second row, to the side.) The next thing I knew, X slid down to the floor and began speed crawling toward the priest giving the homily a few feet away. Eek! "How am I going to get him back without standing up and making a scene?!" I wondered in desperation. I had no choice but to get down on my hands and knees, grab one of his ankles and drag him back down the aisle. Praise God, he didn't make a peep! After that, I made a quick exit with him and we spent the rest of the Mass in the crying room. LOL!

Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma

Our easy-going X-Man has gotten a little high maintenance lately. His fourth tooth is coming in his top gum, and he’s just beside himself. As seemingly his only source of comfort, I hardly get anything done.

For the last week, he’s been following me around the house, whimpering, “Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma,” All day – from the time he awakes, to the time he goes to bed. “Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma.” Hundreds of times a day. This morning, Dear Husband kidded that it must be like Chinese water torture for me to listen to it non-stop. Drip drip drip drip drip. Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma.

Boo Boo, too, has me on a short leash; he has ever since we moved. When we take walks, if I get more than 10 feet ahead of him, he cries out, “Stop, Mama! Please!” If I leave the room, he comes looking for me. If I'm out of sight, he calls for me, "Mama! Mama!"

I’m in high demand being a Mama. Sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming to be so tied to such needy little creatures.

But I just try to take a deep breath, and smile into their little faces, and say, “You’re going to be OK. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” I’m just grateful that I’m able to say that to them – and be there when they need me. No matter how much right now.

Welcome Samuel and Whiskers!

Continuing in the spirit of St. Nicholas' feast day, I took the boys to get some fish early this morning as a special present. We ran into Guillermo again, and he netted a spotted goldfish and algae eater -- the former for Boo Boo and the latter for X-Man.

As X couldn't really name his fish, BB chose "Whiskers"; BB announced that his fish's name was "Samuel." Hmmm ... sounds an awful lot like a character we know from the Beatrix Potter tales.

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!

When I was growing up, my mom used to put goodies in my shoes for me to find the morning of St. Nicholas' day. I was happy to pass on the tradition this morning with Boo Boo.

I bought him some bigger "chore boots" and stuffed them with apples, oranges and pears. No, I wasn't being quaint -- they really are his favorite things and true treats to him (as chocolate and many candies are not an option, of course...)!

He was quite excited to pull out the bounty and insisted on sitting right down to eat an apple .. and an orange ... and another apple. Thank the Lord for these moments of simple joy for simple things!

St. Nicholas, wonderworker, pray for us!

(For more information on the man who became known as Santa, visit the St. Nicholas Center.)

The Supplanter

X-Man has been climbing up the frame of Boo Boo's spring horse for a few weeks now. A few days ago, he climbed up and began bending his knees and bouncing. I said to him, "Do you want to ride the big horse?" And he waved his little fingers. At first I was confused. He was waving goodbye? Wanted milk? Then a few seconds later ... HORSE! He was signing "horse" to me (usually done by wagging two fingers on your temple, like a horse's ear).

Well, I was only too happy to plop him in the saddle and let him have a ride. He even rocks it himself! LOL! At first I was worried that Boo Boo would be horribly upset that X was usurping his beloved horse. But, surprisingly, BB likes to rock the horse for X (while I hold onto his little self).

In Love ... Someday

I love how much Boo Boo loves things.

Every time we walk to the park two blocks away, he stops at a live oak tree across the street and crouches down. He gets on his hands and knees and says, "Oh, wook Mama! Acorns! I wove these wittle acorns, Mama! They even have wittle hats on them!"

Acorns are cute, to be sure, but he even loves quite unlovable -- and even dangerous -- things. While watching his favorite deep-sea nature DVD, he says to me, "Mama, wook at those eews!" (That's "eels," of course.) "They're such cute wittle eews! I wove them!"

Then today, he started something new -- and I don't know where he got this. While watching the same deep-sea DVD he said to me, "Wook! Wook at the fwashwight fish, Mama! I'm going to howd a fwashwight fish someday. But I've got to be carefuw!" And he went on like that for the whole video. Humpback whales, common dolphins, arctic seals, even viper fish -- his favorite.

He's convinced he will hold them all someday. And he'll wove them. Considering he's probably allergic to most of the animal kingdom, I guess oceanography isn't out of the question...

Yo-Yo Thermometers

I'm afraid that our thermostat is getting confused. First we put on the heat. Then we put on the air. Now, we've put on the heat again.

Sunday night, it was 77 degrees at sundown. Early this morning, there was a thick coat of frost on Dear Husband's car windows. This weekend, the high is expected to be 78.

Believe me, I'm not complaining. I sat outside this afternoon, playing with the boys in the grass, while the sun warmed my back. It was heavenly! I just don't know what will happen next!

God bless X

Today is the first anniversary of X-Man's baptism -- the cold, sunny Sunday last year when he became a Christian and a member of the body of Christ.

We give thanks for the blessing of his life, and the many gifts that God has given him. We are also grateful for his godparents and their families, who continue to pray for him. We hope that X-Man will grow in his love of the Lord every year.

Providentially, today is also the feast of St. Francis Xavier -- the superstar missionary and "apostle to the Indies" who won thousands of souls for Jesus. St. Francis Xavier, pray for us!

Baby Steps

It seems like X-Man is doing something new every day -- that's why I love when my children turn a year.

Yes, I like babies, but they don't do much. It's after they turn one that they really start doing exciting things, so fast and so many that you can hardly keep track of them all.

X-Man is seriously flirting with the notion of walking. He's cruising, standing, taking a step here and there. The other day, I set X up with our toy "walker." And he did it! Yes, he is a bit peg-legged (he doesn't seem to bend his knees much). He gets stuck pretty easy. But he's moving about on his own, which is amazing to see. Hooray for our little X-Man!

A Visit from Grandpa Gary

Dear Husband's father was in town this week, so we had him over for dinner Thursday night. DH was sick and Grandpa Gary was sick; Grandpa couldn't get too close to the boys, but at least he got to see our place.

Here's a pic of X-Man and Grandpa signing "telephone" together -- X's most favorite sign these days, as he is the ultimate techno kid. His new nickname of "Gizmo" is gaining popularity fast!

Four Months: An Anti-Reflection (but still done in the early morning)

Yes, we're going into our fifth month of living in Texas. But no, I don't really feel the need to write a formal update.

That fact, in itself, is a turning point for me. This isn't a countdown anymore; it's our life now.

I think we're getting by, making do. We have a quiet, simple existence here. It isn't and never will be like it was back home. It just is what it is. And that's OK.