and I won't take no for an answer

So, we were able to skirt Annie's terrible two's. I'm not sure what alliteration would be fitting for this stage we're experiencing now with, not "thrilling," not "thoughtful," but probably "think-again threes" is the most fitting. Because just when we thought we were out of the woods with tantrums, back talk and disobedience, along came three-and-a-half. Personally, I think that it has to do with this sudden growth spurt she's been going through which is making her more tired and irritable (or it's making ME more tired and irritable, the jury's out on that one). But in addition to the limited patience, Annie is also persistent as the day is LONG and with Louisville so close to the central time zone, the days are VERY long. If she gets an idea in her head for some sort of prop she needs for her make-believe play, and you don't want to give it to her, watch out, because you will soon be berated with "Please, just one time, PLEASE, I'll be careful, just ONE, MAMA, ONE!!!" until you can no longer listen to it and you (meaning me) either lose it or give in. I found a solution though yesterday when she was hell bent on using her white noise machine for Monkey, which would have required it being removed from her room and brought downstairs, which I did not want to do. If that thing breaks, I seriously question Annie's ability to ever fall asleep again. So I said, "No," and then dealt with a tantrum to beat all tantrums, ending in two, count 'em TWO, timeouts and a few more gray hairs in my already salty mane. BUT, I then suggested we make her a sound machine. So I wrapped up an empty box in craft paper, drew a digital clock face and glued some clothing buttons on it and voila! Instant sound machine. It was all well and good until Annie asked later if we could make batteries for it. Hand to God.

Oscar, on the other hand, has taken on solid foods with full force and yesterday, for the first time ever, rolled from his back to his stomach. We hope this means that his 4 AM "Woah, I'm on my BACK!" wake-up calls will soon cease. He's also even more in love with his sister, as if it were possible, now that she throws him some attention to play with him every now and again. I'm just waiting for the request from Annie one day to borrow Oscar for her baby and when I say "No," her responding, "Well, how do I make one?" Gzeeesh.

We head to Georgia on Thursday for four days to visit my 98-year-old grandfather, Pappy. We can't wait. Not only do we get to visit and introduce Oscar to him and my aunt and uncle, but Nana and GrandBob will be there too as they make a pit stop on their way down to Savannah for my nephews' first communion. It'll be the first family road trip, so wish us luck. It's a 7 hour drive, so I imagine if we leave at 7 AM on Thursday, with two kids in tow, we should be there by, let's see... summer.

Easter and Oma and Papa Joe 4-10

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Keeping us company

We had a lot of visitors this spring so far, namely the Easter Bunny and even better, Oma and Papa Joe, who, like the Easter Bunny, gives the kids treats, but who unlike him, stick around to play. It feels like a lot of stuff has changed since I last updated the blog a million years ago, but it's hard to nail down in a paragraph. Mostly, Annie's becoming more of a big kid, literally, as she's growing like a weed. She enjoys other people's houses, frequently telling me to leave (I'm trying not to take it personally) so she can play with her new grownup. And Oscar is becoming more of a big baby (not in the cry baby sense of the term, but more in a size way). He teased us with two nights in a row of full-night sleeping, but then quickly kept us in check by waking up at 4:30 the following night. He likes to keep us guessing.

Oma and Papa Joe's visit was great. It was so nice to watch Annie play with Papa Joe (he has a knack for story telling off the cuff and playing make-believe with Annie's tree/doll house). And Oma got to have a lot of hands-on Oscar time (I take advantage of any break I can get... not that I don't LOVE my kids, they're just heavy sometimes). She and Annie also made pancakes WITHOUT A RECIPE. Annie was so impressed, mostly because she got to wield a knife under Oma's watchful eye. They were wonderful, and not just because I didn't have to cook them. We were sad to see them go, but were so happy to have them for a week while Annie's preschool was on "spring break" (why preschoolers need a spring break, I'll never know, but I'm guessing the teachers relish it ... when do moms get a spring break? But I digress...). The weather here is gorgeous and we've already had to switch the thermostat from "Heat" to "Cool." Flowering trees are in bloom and we've even planted our own tomato plant on the deck. Annie's quite the waterer.

Oscar started his foray into solid foods with rice cereal and seems to be a fan, although he's not so great at the eating part. He still mostly likes to lick his food. We're working on it. He also is great at grabbing any object within grasp (including hair or skin). He has a deep chortle of a laugh like an old man whose had a few too many cigars. He's a pretty easy going kid, I have to say, mostly because he has to be. We drag him everywhere, but he keeps smiling just the same. Granted he's probably delirious with sleep deprivation, but still. This weekend we head to Houston for a lightning quick visit (due to an airfare deal). Oscar will finally get to meet all the people he's only heard of (either from Annie or through the womb). We'll see if he still has any of his Texas accent.