A whole lotta goings on going on

My lack of blogging is not due to a lack of stuff to talk about. Quite the opposite, in fact. Kenny and I are in the process of buying our first house (our first house!!), so between that, being very busy at work and trying to squeeze in family time it's been too nuts to find the time to write.

We're scheduled to close on the house on the 29th and then Brendan and I are leaving on the 30th for a weeklong trip to Maine with Mima, Papa, Aunt Lauren, Uncle Keith and Aunt Shannon. We're going up for a family reunion on my mom's side and seeing folks we haven't seen in many, many years. We're all super excited! Daddy is saving his vacation time for our big move so unfortunately he won't be able to come with us. :(

We had Brendan's birthday party at Mima and Papa's house two weeks ago with family and some friends. I still can't believe my little man is two years old already.

His two-year check-up was yesterday; he's up to 35.5" tall and weighs 28lb 7oz. So back to the 75th percentile for height and the 50th percentile for weight.

B started the visit in very good spirits. He played with some toys and read me a few books while we waited to be called in. When we were called back he led the way, then decided that maybe he remembered this place and maybe he didn't want to be here after all when he saw we were going into one of the exam rooms. "Up, Mama." I picked him up and he clung to me for dear life. It's not easy getting a lanky two-year old undressed while he suctions his body to yours and pleads with you not to let go.

I wanted nothing more than to just scoop him up and run out of there but I figured one of us had to act like an adult and since technically, I'm that person, I played the role of the Stepfordesque Mommy and smiled while I told him in my most pleasant voice that everything was going to be all right. After crying and saying "no, no, no" and looking at me with crazy eyes while he was measured and weighed, he finally calmed down and got distracted by books and a few toys that someone had blessedly left in the room.

Now, I very clearly remembered the doctor saying at his 18-month appointment that he wouldn't be getting any vaccines at this appointment. So you can imagine my surprise when she said that someone (who obviously has no children) made the decision that toddlers should get an extra dose of a particular vaccine. Ugh. In walks the nurse who tells me to lay him down and HOLD HIS HANDS OVER HIS HEAD like some sidekick in a torture routine while she sticks his meaty little thigh. Brendan cried and cried and cried.

Next up: down to the lab for bloodwork. In all honestly, I considered calling it quits at this point. Then I had a little pep talk with myself where I told me to man up and get this over with. So down to the lab we went. He had calmed down at that point and was flirting with all the lovely ladies in the lab while we waited. They called us in and I was told to have him sit on my lap, then BLOCK HIM IN WITH MY LEGS AND HOLD HIS ARM OUT SO THEY CAN STICK A NEEDLE IN HIS ARM AS THICK AS A BANANA AND DRAW TWO VIALS OF BLOOD. Yes, I'm shouting. Yes, it's necessary.

Thankfully his veins drain faster than his Mama's. Screams and cries and Mama's heart breaks but I kept my Stepford grin on and mustered up all the pleasantness I had left to hold him and tell him that the torture was done and everything was going to be all right. He cried all the way out to the car then passed out.

I told Daddy the next check-up is all him. Mama's done.

Here are some pics from B's birthday party. I haven't taken a whole lot of pictures lately but am going to try to remember to bring the camera this weekend.

Wearing his adorable shirt that Auntie Jilly found on etsy.com


Blowing out the candles with Uncle Scotch







Brendan is 2 years, 2 weeks and 3 days old today!

A Letter to My Son on His Second Birthday (a few days late)

Brendan,
How is it possible that my baby is two years old?? In some ways it feels like just yesterday that I first held you in my arms, so tiny and new. And in others, it feels like you've been a part of my life for so much longer.

You're an observant little fellow, watching and absorbing everything around you. It's not unusual to see you following behind people, closing doors and drawers, lining up everyone's shoes by the doorway, singing the "clean-up" song while you put your toys away in just the right spot. Your little displays of OCD make Mommy's heart melt.

You're still a VERY picky eater—the list of foods that you'll eat without a fight is a short one: yogurt, macaroni & cheese, pizza, pasta, crackers and cinnamon graham goldfish. Meat is not your friend. And vegetables might as well be dog food.

Your vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds. And for some reason you sound like you spent most of your young life growing up in the Bronx. Water is pronounced wahtuh; cars are cwahs. Every truck is a fire truck (fy tuck), but nothing excites you more than a train (choo choo tain).

You're very polite, always ready with a "peas" and "tank you"
(sometimes just "tanks") and you hug like a champ (complete with pats on the back) and give the best little kisses. But you're not afraid to boss us around when the feeling hits. Mommy and Daddy don't sit for more than a few minutes before you wander over demanding that we "come on" and "sit down" to help you build train tracks or play with cars.

Brendan, you are an amazing little being, so full of life and love, and I'm so proud to be your mother. I cannot think of anything more rewarding than the joy of watching you grow into the amazing young man I know you'll become.

Love,
Mommy


Brendan is 2 years and 3 days old today!