The Thomas Family

So sometimes I find it humorous (I'm never sure if I've spelled that word correctly because it's one of those that's always looked wrong to me, even when it's spelled correctly) of some of life's ironies. Currently: When I was back at college, or first starting my teaching career, alone, I often felt lonely. When a roommate would get engaged I'd feel elated for her, but perhaps slightly a little green too although I hate to admit it. During the times when I was single, which was much of the time since I didn't seriously date many guys during college (friendships and casualy dates mostly) I would wonder when or IF I was ever going to meet the elusive 'one,' or get married once I did, or ever get to have children. I had friends, but it was not the same. My first year of teaching I'd watch these families drop off their kids, who I'd teach and take care of all day, wondering if I'd ever get to be at the other end of it, secretly fearing that I'd be an old school marm one day. All that time that I was alone, with all the freedom that went with it, only wanting to have a family of my own. Now I have a family of my own, and oh how I crave a day where I just get to go do stuff, anything really, with one, or two kids, or 2 kids and a husband whining about 'how long was this going to take?' I love my family. I wouldn't actually trade them for what I've already had when I was single, but it's a little ironic. Now, I have found 'the one,' been married 4 1/2 years, and have 2 children, ages 3 1/2, and 22months. And now,all I want, is to be left alone someimtes, if even for a few minutes to just use the restroom in private, without someone crashing through the door with a book to read to them, or crying because one of them took the other ones toy, or just coming in because they want to be near me. There's nothing like sitting down after holding it, either of its to take care of a toddler's need first, to finally get on the throne, to suddenly hear a loud bout of scream-crying. If you have young kids, you know that sound. It's the-are they hurt, or are they just ticked off because of the toy/teasing issues siblings have? And, since you really don't know which, you have to hold it, again, or try to hurry. Because one time, this happened to me, I thought, "Jane is just crying because Henry is being the pain in the neck brother my husband keeps telling me he's supposed to be, because that's what older brothers are-pains in the necks!" (Not that I would ever know since I have 4 sisters and no brothers.) But then her crying became more muffled, not gone, just muffled. Cue parental panick! I jumped up and ran into the bedroom to find her at the bottom of a toy bucket (the HUGE ones they sell at Walmart and other such places) face down into a bunch of stuffed animals, with Henry on top of her, stuck becuase he couldn't figure how to get out of the tangles mess of arms and legs and animals. She wasn't seriously hurt, thankfully, just terrified. The other time I'd just love to be alone again, not permanently, but at least for 5 minutes straight, is when I want to get something to eat. The kids are fed (you learn quickly as a mom to feed them first, or you won't enjoy your meal even if it's a gourmet dinner hot off the stove and ready to eat) yet no matter how full they were 2 mintues before, as soon as I sit down to eat my own food, they want some. Maybe it's just my kids, or maybe I'm too nice and share too much, but for once, I'd like to sit down, and just eat a cup of yogurt, by myself, like in the commercials or something, without one, or BOTH of my kids tugging at my clothes begging me for a bite. And they never want just one. Yopliat Thick and Creamy is the worst. I sware they've memorized the different labels. I think I even like Yoplait's Thick and Creamy Lime better than ice-cream. It's like an oasis, until my kids smell it, see it, imagine it, and then I get to eat maybe 1/2. Again, maybe I need to be more like a dog defending its food. I wonder what they'd do if I starting baring my teeth and growling at them? With my braces on right now, that would be even scarier...hmmm....? Sometimes, rarely, I get to go to the grocery store...wait for it...ALONE...and it feels like sweet freedom. Sometimes I forget that I'm alone, since I very rarely am now, and grab the diaper bag, only to realize how goofy I look walking in the store with a diaper bag, and no babies or small kids.

Our 3 Year Old Prince, or Villain Depending on the Day People have told me that the 'terrible twos' are following by the 'horrible threes.' I kind of see this age so far as 'It was the best of times and it was the worst of times.' That's not a direct quote, but if you have a child who's already passed this age or is currently at this age, you know what I mean. Henry can be the sweetest, smartest, most fun and wonderful little boy, and then he can also be like a mini-teenager, refusing to obey, back-talking, refusing to be disciplined (like actually staying in time-out, without making rediculous noises trying his darndest to get our attention). He turned 3 in the end of January, and so this is a little late. And I'd love to put up one of those posts of how perfect my son is, because by other peoples' blogs you'd swear that their kids were...but alas, Henry, I feel is just a normal 3 year old boy, making him want to shower him with hugs and kissed some days, and others, well, I feel that no matter how much patience I think I have acquired so far, I'm earning more being his mom. ;) As a tradition I'm going to start, I interviewed him on his birthday and here were his answers: (Favorites) Food: chicken nuggets Drink: Water Friend: Austin (the little boy we babysat for 6 months Toy: Track and trains (Notice tracks came first-he'd much rather set up his tracks up in different ways all day than run his trains around a set once.) Color: Blue, green and orange Book: Goodnight Construction Site Game: Memory Song: Wheels on the Bus TV show: Dinosaur Train (or Cat in the Hat) Movie: Cars Place to go: Park Animal: Elephant For some reason the picture attachment button isn't really working. So I guess I'll try to add come pictures later. Also, the it just keeps putting my post up in one huge paragrah rather than spacing it out how I chose. Hmm...I'll have to try to fix that later.