twelve days, two brothers, two birthdays, two parties, one [totally normal] momma

We are preparing to host the second birthday party in our home in two weeks.  The first was for my three-year-old Bug, the next will be for my one-year-old Squish.

When I was pregnant, the potential proximity of my boys' birthdays became a pretty big source of concern.  Any time I met someone who mentioned a birthday within the same week or two of a sibling's birthday, the following conversation usually ensued:

dearheart

Today, my Squish is one year old - it is his very first birthday.

It bears repeating: one year old.

This morning when I was getting Squish ready for the day, I opened the drawer to look for something special that he could wear.  I saw a bright orange Halloween onesie that seemed a little flashier than what I usually find in the drawer.  (Think brown sweatpants and striped tees... lots of them.)  I looked at the label and read, "6-9 mos."  I hesitated.  I actually wondered if Squish could wear the Fancy Halloween Onesie even though he has been breathing air on this earth for twelve months today.  (And he has been pretty big for his age for each one of those twelve months.)

It is time to admit that I often think that Squish is nine months old.

Patient

Four days after Bug's third birthday, he was scheduled to visit the doctor for a check-up.  In the week leading up to the appointment, I tried to prepare him.  I listened to his heart to check for any drumming; I looked in his ears, eyes, and throat to check for tiny monkeys that may have been hiding back there.  We acknowledged that he might get a shot, which could definitely hurt, but that the shot and the pain would be over really fast.

Like riding a bike. Exactly like riding a bike.

Phone Call Number 1:

• 6:55 am
• My husband called me.
• He explained something about having taken my keys that morning so he couldn't lock his bike at the T.  
• Would I please use his keys - which include the bike lock key - to lock the bike at the T?  
• Yes, okay, of course I could do that.

About five minutes later, I looked for his keys to add to the pile of Things I Have To Have With Me Before I Leave In The Morning Or Else...



Phone Call Number 2:

national holiday

As I was driving from work to daycare/school this evening I remembered years ago someone said, "Your birthday is not a national holiday.  And neither are your kids' birthdays."

Tell me the story of...

This morning at breakfast with my Bug and my Squish, Bug looked up and asked me to tell him a story.

I said, "You want me to tell [not read] you a story?!?"

Bug replied, "Yeah.  Tell me the story about the dishwasher!"

BOOK REVIEW - The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh

The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh, by A.A. Milne with decorations by Ernest H. Shepard

In the past year, Bug showed some interest in a little bear who loves honey, so I went big and got the family a copy of The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh.

Spoiler Alert