The Break UP

Dear Dimples, Jiggles, and Fat Rolls-

This letter isn't easy for me to write but it has to be done. I wish I could do this another way but you just won't listen to me. I'm sorry but our relationship is over. Yes, we are so-over. This is it; I can't take it anymore. Let's face it - you're weighing me down. You've hung around way too long...and in places that don't need to be hanging. Yes, it's true: I needed you when I was pregnant with two 10 lb babies. Yes, I loved you then. You were warm and comforting. But I started to realize that something was wrong when you kept bringing extra friends over. I ignored it, just turned a blind eye to your antics and lies. Lies...oh, the lies you told. Lies that it's OK to eat that extra helping of lasagna, that it's OK to eat a bag of Sweet 16 powdered donuts, that baggy shirts are in style right now and will camouflage the kangaroo pouch that you call a stomach. I listened to you and now I have a closet full of clothes I can't wear. I miss my clothes!! You've kept me away from the lake, the pool, the track. And I can't take it anymore! There are too many miles to run, laps to swim, fireflies to help my boys chase. I can't do those things with you constantly at my hip. This is my final goodbye. Oh, I know I've said this before, but believe me, I am stronger now. I've already lost 15 pounds of you and now I'm working on 6 more. So get your bags packed, clear your things, get your junk out of my trunk and GO!! I'm better off without you!

Sincerely,

Lori

The Second Child Syndrome

As most of you know, Conner is my baby. He and Aidan are about 18 months apart. I've noticed something about him- he has absolutely no fear! Last night, we took the boys to Granny and Papaw's so they could play on the farm. Granny and Papaw have a big play-set for the boys. Conner has become a very good climber; he could climb up the ladder on the play-set all day if someone would let him. Anyway, he fell off the top step of the ladder last night. Fell just like a potato sack straight to the ground. Praise God- he was ok. Tonight, when I was giving him a bath, I noticed he has a huge bruise on his ankle. I have no clue where that one came from. The child is a walking accident. He has only been on this Earth a mere 2 years and 2 months and already his little knees are scarred pink. Conner is fearless and unafraid. If YouTube is still around in 15 years, I guarantee you will be able to find one or more videos of Conner driving a 4-wheeler or some other motorized thing off the roof of our house.


Looking at my friend's children, I see this same pattern in their second child. I have one friend whose daughter practically lives in a cast. What is it about these children? Are they born with a natural tendancy to wreck havoc on their little bodies? Do they have a strong desire to assert their independence and individuality? Or do we as parents finally realize our children are not made of glass and stop hovering over them? I don't know the answer but I do know I will start buying Bactine by the case loads at Wal-mart.

I meant to start blogging now!

So...I had a good streak there for all of 2 days and then I let it go! Oh yeah, I meant I would start NOW! I don't have any new or exciting news to post. We've been doing the same ole', same ole. Here are a few pictures from our lazy summer days so far....


Aidan catches a fish at his cousin Hunter's birthday party.

This is how I picture what the Duke boys looked like when they were little!

Weathering the Storm

As I write, we are at Granny and Papaw's house. We are in the middle of a severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. I'm watching the boys play and eat junk food, oblivious to the thunder and lightening outside. I've started thinking about all the good times we've had here on the farm.


So many times, this place has been a place of refuge for me. When I stayed at home with the boys, there were many long days I just couldn't do it all by myself anymore. Ed worked as much as he could since I was not working. I would pack the boys up in the car and head to Granny's. The boys would run and play until their little legs couldn't move anymore. Then Granny would help me give them a bath, put their nite-nites on, and put them in car. They would be out by the time I reached the end of the long, gravel driveway. In the quite in the car, I'd take a deep breath and recharge to do it all over again the next day. So I think it's appropriate that we are here during this storm. I feel safe and secure. I've posted some of my favorite pictures of the boys playing on the farm. You can tell by the looks on their faces that they love this place dearly.

Conner's Second Birthday Party

It is so hard for me to believe that Conner has turned 2! He's a lean, mean, biting, basketball playing machine! And he loves big brother very much. It is monkey-see, monkey-do when it comes to those two. They fight and laugh and have a great time together. His birthday party was originally planned for March 28 but we had to reschedule because I was sick. I'm glad we did because the weather was beautiful for his party this past Saturday. Family gathered at the farm and the kids played outside until it was time for the Easter Egg Hunt. Ed's job was to hide the eggs. His mom told him to hide them in the front yard so the kids could easily find them. Needless to say, Ed did not heed his mother's advice so now we'll be finding eggs for years on the farm. After the outdoor festivities, it was time for the party to move inside. Conner has a great time opening his birthday presents as well as Aidan. Poor Aidan. He didn't realize these presents weren't for him. He asked when it was going to be his birthday. I guess the last time we had Conner's party, we combined it with Aidan's so they had their party together. For those of you who just now realized that Aidan's birthday is in August and Conner's is in March...yes, I failed on my motherly birthday duties last year for Conner. But what do you expect? This is the first time I've updated my blog in two years! Anyhoo, we had a great birthday. It's hard for me to believe Conner is 2. I've noticed something, though. I wanted Aidan to grow up quickly, but I've tried to keep Conner a baby as long as I could. He's my last one so it's hard to let him grow up. At least he never got into butt jelly!!

The Holy Grail of Christmas Cards

I have spent the past few days making myself insane. For some reason, I actually believe I can get a good picture of Aidan and Conner together under the Christmas tree ...one in which they have angelic smiles and are posed just perfectly. I guess you could say I've been on the quest for the holy grail of Christmas card pictures because I'm beginning to believe such a picture of a toddler and a baby together does not exist. Here's some of my work so far....







Notice that the good pictures are of Conner. Aidan thought it would be cute to "take a picture" of me. After his attempt at photography, he split. He wasn't sticking around regardless of all my pathetic pleas and bargains...

"Aidan, please stand next to the rocking chair and smile. Then you can have some Goldfish."
"OK, Aidan, stand next to your brother and show him the ladybug Christmas ornament. If you do that, we'll go get a happy meal."
Aidan...please, please, please, stand next to Conner just for one minute! Mommy wants a Merry Christmas picture. Then you can have all the (insert chocolate candy and forbidden foods here) you want!!!"

Didn't work. Ed said it was because he was embarrassed about the red reindeer sweater I made him wear. Hmm...Perhaps.

Gettin' some culture!

School is officially out for winter break for me! I have a little bit of freedom until January 5...well, as much freedom as one can get with two children! The boys and I decided to visit the Children's Museum in Oak Ridge one day last week. I have never been there before so I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought I might as well try it out now while I'm the only one who gets charged for admission. I think Aidan was excited about his trip: he decided to dress up for the big outing.

After making sure I had the diaper bag packed (diapers, wipes, toy school bus, bottles for Conner, juice, and the obligatory half pound bag of Goldfish), we were off to Oak Ridge. The museum looks like it's in an old school house and is situated next to a large, nice playground. After plunking down $6 to cover my admission, we explored the exhibits. There was a room called Grandma's Attic and had lots of little play things in it like an old children's tea set and old clothes to play dress-up. Every room we walked in Aidan said "Wow, look at all this stuff!" I think he was mesmerized- everything was on his level. They had a NASA room but he didn't care to much for that. We really liked the Rain Forest room. There were sounds of thunder piped in over an intercom system and any time Aidan heard it he froze where he stood and said "Thunder, we have to get out of here!" The room called the Doll House was under construction and I would like to go back and see that one. Apparently, it's like a huge life size doll house kids can play in. When I mentioned the room to Ed, he said that his son did not need to play in a doll house. Guess I won't tell him how Aidan really liked to play with the old tea set.


We continued to roam and explore the museum. They had a nice display about what life was like in the Atomic City right after the war began although Aidan didn't care for that. However, he did go bananas over the train room!
They had a life size train car that flashed lights and whistled and choo-choo'd. Aidan loved it; he climbed all over it and hollered: All Aboard, Thomas, All Aboard! Frankly, I thought it was annoying but it didn't seem to bother Conner. Conner, by the way, was content to ride in his stroller, suck on his sock, and enjoy the view throughout our adventure at the museum.
Aidan really enjoyed the model trains and tiny city. I actually thought it was very cool too. But the piece-de-resistance was the water room. Here was a replica of a body of water and a system of locks and channels that kids could play in with toy boats. The museum provided little aprons for the kids to wear so they won't get their clothes. Mind you, that would probably work with ordinary kids but this is Aidan we're talking about! He had a blast playing in this room and I'm so relieved we saved it for last. I let him go crazy, which is not hard to do. I sat back and watched him play and have a grand old time.

I'm also relieved I had a change of clothes in the car because he was soaked from his head to his shoes. Somehow, Conner got wet in the process too. Not sure how that happened, though. Anyway, it was a fun adventure and the boys had a great time.