We’ve been staying in all this week. The weather hasn’t been terrible, but my little man has been down with the sickies. Its not been very pleasant overall, but the upside of staying in is that we get to putter around the house doing things like baking pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and brownies. I’m going to gain 5 lbs well before the holidays this year!
I love Bun’s Oooh Face!
Its been raining around here. A lot. So much that we have had to stay housebound the past few mornings. Its not all bad though, plenty of snuggling on the couch and watching movies and playing cars, and looking out of windows. I want to say that because I was home I got my house whipped into shape, but no I didn’t. It still looks like we just moved in. I’m hopeless.
But when it stops raining and it is time to kick off the blankets and the boots and just run and run and run outside.
Nothing makes Bun happier than rolling around the grass these days.
Scenes from the past few days:
These two photos are my favorite. This is what two looks like to me on a good day. When there has been good naps, and good meals and no tantrums, Bun and I get to enjoy moments like this.
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Hands in his pockets is a new thing for fun. He is trying to put his hands down everyone’s pockets.A few years down the line, this might be a bit of a problem, but lately its cute!
I love this little boy so much that sometimes I fear that my heart cannot bear such brutality. I try to remember this on days like today, when he has a cold and he is cranky, bossy, rude and demanding, when I’m snappy and short and impatient. But when he is in bed, asleep and I have calmed down his nerves and mine, and I look through our pictures from my camera and I just want to sit and cry at how quickly all this is passing.
Today, I looked up as he followed J down the stairs and he looked like a kid, not my baby, not a toddler- a kid. In his navy shorts and a bandaid on his finger and scrapes on his knee, there he was – a little boy. And with every fibre of my body, I willed time to pause.
He got down the stairs and called out “Mommy” in his sweet 2 year old voice and just like that he was my baby again. At least for today.
The title is from the last two lines of W.B Yeats A Cradle Song
A Cradle Song
The angels are stooping
Above your bed;
They weary of trooping
With the whimpering dead.
God’s laughing in Heaven
To see you so good;
The Sailing Seven
Are gay with His mood.
I sigh that kiss you,
For I must own
That I shall miss you
When you have grown
———-William Butler Yeats
Photo by the awesome J
As much as I adore spending time with my toddler and also as much as I like having the Parents around to hang out, it is so nice to have weekends that are filled with friends. This weekend we got to catch up with most of our good friends around town, being grown ups and still taking the toddler along.
Saturday, we spent our afternoon at Fullsteam Brewery a place I’ve mentioned before because its one of our favorite places in Durham, and I think it does a great job of capturing Durham’s current scene. We met up with our friends and their kids. The kids socialized, the grown ups socialized, beer was consumed, tacos and samosas sampled from the food trucks parked nearby and an overall sense of saturday-ness prevailed. Bonus: I dressed up and got out of my mom summer uniform of capri/shorts and tee.
Sunday, we got to see mor friends and watch football (Yaaay Cowboys!!! Booo Panthers), make slime with the kids, eat pizza on a friends deck and enjoy the slight chill thats been hanging in air at dusk lately.
My stink eye for Bratty Bun
My only gripe with sunday was that my kid was being a total S%$&head. I think we are entering a new era of toddlerhood- there was hitting, grabbing and all around unpleasantness from Avi when it came to playing with the other kids. I wonder what happened to my sweet little boy who was never grabby about toys and would walk away from a conflic? I hope its something he and I can work through because it is absolutely horrible to be that kid’s mom. But I’m hopeful, that these are just some growing pains that we’ll have to both go through. I don’t want to completely crush his spirit but Hitting and grabbing are not ok in my book of discipline
I’m linking this up with Mandy from The Haps, Stepping Out Saturday Linky, since I was so happy for dressing up!
We spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend camping with my parents in the Tar-Pamlico River basin of NC, at Goose Creek State Park. We chose this place because in spite of only being two hours away from the triangle, it was remote and not super crowded. I had charged my camera the night before but in the rush to get out the door, I forgot to load it in the car. So the photos are from my iphone and my mom’s camera.
Heading out on I-40. Even though it was a very short drive, we did stop for snacks and coffee at Farmville just to get the road trip experience. Highlight of the stop J finding Bud Cheladas. They were perfect in the hot sun when we got into the campsite
Bun was thrilled with the tents. He just wanted to go in and out and in and out and the cuteness wore off once we realized how much sand and bugs he dragged in there with him each time. However, our campsite was quite lovely, very secluded and shady. The bugs were pretty terrible but thats to be expected in a swamp.
THe favorite part of this whole trip was this boating dock that was just steps away from our campsite. I spent a majority of my time hanging out on there and Bun was in toddler heaven because he got to throw an infinite number of rocks into the water
Wading at the river beach!
These shoes went on sale right before our trip! I love them!!! Much more than Bun does
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At Sunset Bun and I were the only ones hanging out at the dock and taking in the beautiful sights. We heard pelicans and herons and there were jumping fish that would leap out of the water to catch the insects. I had no idea that fish could do that. It was amazing to take in all this beauty with my boy. It’s an hour of my life I hope to remember for ever.
Below: Selfie at Sunset and Bun and I .
We finished our night with a delicious dinner of Curried Beef, Grilled Italian sausage and wine. I wish I had pictures of our fire and food but c’est la vie.
This brightened up my gloomy morning. I absolutely love his sweet little voice and I love how he sings with so much emotion! You are my Sunshine is a part of our nightly songs routine.I have four that I have to sing every night before bedtime.
We had a terrific thunderstorm a few days ago and it woke Bun up in the middle of the night. He was scared and couldn’t sleep so we snuggled on the couch in the middle of the night while the storm raged. We sang songs, told each other’s stories. Bun’s story that he likes to tell is simple
“Once upon a time there was a digger. He lived on a job site with his mama. Digger played with the ball. There was a boss man. I am a boss man. I build things too.”
Thats it, thats the whole story. I think I’ve got it down word for word.
Anyway, after four hours, as the storm subsided we finally fell back asleep. We woke to up more dark skies, but lovely big puddles all over our neighborhood. And so we did what everyone should, spent our morning splashing and jumping in every puddle.
Very few things make little boys happier than hours of puddle jumping.
Bun had his first playground scuffle this week. A little girl his age smacked him and pulled his hair. He was stunned and didn’t hit back or cry. Her mother smacked her and yelled which made her cry. He was worried at her wails.
Later when I put him in the car seat to leave the playground, I told him it was okay if he tells someone to stop hitting him. He said “Yeah, I no cry”
This boy of mine is so brave. I wonder where he gets it. He makes my heart burst with pride every day!
Is there anything cuter than a toddler eating a pink cupcake?
Its been a quiet week around here.Bun and I haven’t had too many exciting outdoor adventures, but we have spent a lot of time snuggling. And hugs from a snuggly warm toddler is one of the best feelings in the world
Also, everyday Bun amazes me with how much he is talking. Sometimes I can’t believe that I’m having real conversations with him. Usually he says phrases that he has heard me say and repeats them in the right context and I am so shocked that I feel the need to text J or my mom and share immediately. Almost like if I didn’t record it, it mustn’t have happened.
Some faves of this week:
Bun: (wearing his conductor hat) I conductor mama
Me: That is neat. What do conductors say
Bun: Hello, Ride the Train please
I was expecting him to say “all aboard” or “choo choo” but no his conductor tells passengers to ride the train please.
At target, while I hold up a shirt for him
Me: What do you think, will this be cute for Valentine’s day?
Bun: With these pants?
I don’t think he really understands what “with these pants” means, but I realized he has heard me say this phrase a lot when I’m getting ready or getting him ready.
Other little things making me happy right now
– J bought me chocolates as a belated valentine’s day treat. And I love that he got it at 50%off. I love when he is frugal like that
– I had coffee for the first time this week a) because I finally felt better and I was actually motivated enough to make it! Coffee is one of my greatest pleasures
– I have been running enough that not running this week has been nagging me. My body notices it and it makes me happy to know that I have created a healthy habit for myself.
– V-day cupcakes and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies from my mom on v-day. It so cheered us up from our sickie induced misery.
Nothing makes me sadder than seeing Bun sick! The snuggles are nice, but its heart breaking to hear him say “Mamma I lie down” or “Mamma, I sleep” at 9:30 am on a bright sunny day- prime playing and romping time.
I’m lucky though that he doesn’t get sick that often and today it looks like we might be on the tail end of this round of cold/fever grossness. At least if he can fight off this nasty cough that he has.
Feel better soon my Avi man- The sun is shining, the birds are out, Layla is looking for you and the back deck awaits your arrival
Orange You Grape 