An Extra Letter

Dear Moron on the Parkway,

Hello Moron. You know that pedal on the right? That's the gas pedal. It's very helpful. When you're on the parkway in our subdivision at 7:30 in the morning, chances are people don't have the time for you to take your sweet time. We're all on our way somewhere. I'm not asking you to speed, but it would be nice if you could go somewhere near the speed limit. You know, within at least 10 miles of the speed limit would be nice. The speed limit would be nicer, but I won't push it.

And another thing: the break pedal is NOT necessary going UP the mountain! Trust me, you're already going slow enough. No need to use the break.

Lots of Love,
Lanny

A Little Extra Potty Talk

Linus and I had to make a Target run late this afternoon. I prepped her on the ride over that we were going for specific items, and we would not be getting extras. For the most part, she really stuck to it and we actually had a really good time. On the way to the car, she noticed a sign.

Look, Mommy, a circle with a slash and a P.

It sure it Linus.

No P? (confused look on her face) No P??? What? You can't pee at Target?

Linus, that means...

(interrupting me) Oh, that means no peeing in the parking lot. Who on earth would do that?

Sweetie, that means no parking. You can't park where those signs are.

Oh, really? I hope nobody gets confused!
*******
That's not the first time she's said something embarrassing by mistake at Target. When she was about two she and I were at Target. She was sitting in the child seat part of the basket and we were chatting as we shopped. All of a sudden, Linus makes fists, sticks out her pointer fingers in a hook, puts them on top her head, and announces (very loudly) I'm horny, Mommy! She literally meant that she had horns on her head, but to others around, that's not at all what she said!

Extra Sweet!

I captured an amazing video of my girls tonight. Lolly began to get fussy as we finished dinner, so Linus entertained her. You can see the adoration Lolly has for Linus in her eyes. The feeling is mutual.

I had my camera in the diaper bag, so I had pulled it out to take a few pics of the two of them. I just happened to flip it to video right when Linus kissed Lolly's feet. Lolly got a huge grin and then made a raspberry. That made Linus laugh. Linus's laugh made Lolly laugh. Lolly's laugh made Linus give a big belly laugh. Lolly took a deep breath in and let out a deep belly laugh too. The two of them were cracking each other up for several minutes, and I captured it all on video.

I'm not sure it gets much sweeter than this! :)

Extra Frustrated!

Army and I spent our evening attempting to get a paperclip out of an Xbox. What on earth gave Linus the idea to hook one in there is beyond me. She's doesn't play with the Xbox, so it's not like it's part of her daily treasure of toys. In the end we were somewhat successful. We got the paperclip out, but the DVD part of the Xbox doesn't work very well anymore. Unfortunately, about the only reason we use that thing is for the DVD player. UUUGGGHHH!

I'm not really sure if this is a new-sibling-rivalry thing or what. Somebody please tell me it will end soon though!

Remembering...

Thinking of a very special little boy tonight, his short but powerful life, and his mommy who is one of the most incredible people I know.

I love you dearly, my friend. I feel so blessed that you've been a part of my life for the past 23 years. You've always been there for me despite our physical distance. I've never quite felt that distance as much as I have this past year. I wish I could ease you pain somehow.

Extra Happy!

I've mentioned the immense fear of the dentist that Linus has before. My poor baby has calcium deposits on her teeth. Her teeth actually come in this way. Unfortunately, it has to be scraped off with a sharp object at the dentist's office. I'm sure it's rather scary to have it done at such a young age (she started at 18 months). We were thrilled when her dentist told us that it's very rare for adult teeth to come in this way too. Poor Linus is among the rare. Her adult teeth are coming in with this stuff too. Thankfully, it doesn't come back after it's been removed.

I dread the dentist as much as she does. A trip to the dentist turns my sweetie into a serious wild child. There's lots of screaming and crying involved. And it's not just me! Haha--it's only Linus.

Before our trip today, I let her know that they would have to scrape her new adult teeth (bottoms). She lost her teddy bear last week as part of a punishment when she got in trouble at school. I promised she could get the teddy back early (she wasn't due to get it back until tomorrow), and we could go to dinner anywhere she wanted tonight. I told her that if she got scared, she might want to think about her teddy or dinner.

When the hygienist called me back, I was thrilled with the report that she behaved fabulously. No cavities? Oh, great, but I'm far happier that she behaved! The hygienist gushed about how well she did, which thrilled Linus (and me). Then the dentist complimented her behavior too. Oh yeah, he also said she brushes very well and mentioned no cavities too. :)

As we were walking to the car, I said, "Wow, Linus! I'm so proud of you! No screaming and no crying? That's great! I'm knew you could do it! I knew it! Yeeeaaaaa Linus!" Without a second's pause, she added, "And no biting! I didn't even bite the lady, Mama!" Um, yeah, she *may* have even bitten the lady in the past.

On the way home, I was praising her again, and I asked her if she thought about her teddy or dinner to help stay calm. She said, "Yes, I did, but I thought about God more. He surrounded me and helped me stay calm. I knew I was ok, Mama. He's real, you know?" That completely melted my heart. And then she added "...and I watched some tv." :)

My baby is growing up! While I'm thrilled she's becoming independent (it was her first time back there without me), I'm just not prepared for it. I'm glad for her, but a little sad for me.

An Extra Meaning

Linus talking about WonderDog:

(giggling) "If I stick my finger in her back hole, she starts sniffing!"


Army and I knew she was talking about the dog, so we both directed our complete attention to her. Turns out she was talking about sticking her finger in one of the back holes of the dog's kennel (she was in her kennel because we'd had company just a few minutes before).

Whew! She had us scared there for a minute.

And before anybody freaks out because she was in a kennel---she's not in there all the time, she actually likes her kennel and goes in there willingly, and yes, we did tell Linus that she could not stick her finger in there anymore!

Extra Tired

I'm exhausted. I've had a very long day both physically and emotionally.

Have you ever had a time when you're so tired that you hurt? I ache, and I'm tired, yet I'm restless. I hate when I get this way! I need a nice warm bath to relax.

What's your favorite bath product? Mine has been discontinued, and I'm beyond sad!

Extra Rude?

What's your cutoff time for calling somebody? More specifically, what is your cutoff time for calling somebody with small children?

We got a phone call after 10 last night, and I thought that was pushing the limits.

So, what's your cutoff?

Not Only Am I Smart, I'm Evil!

Army is a HUGE Steelers fan (unless the Saints are playing---then house rules state you must cheer for the Saints!). I know a decent amount about football, but there's a lot I don't know. Army played football for years, though soccer is his true love, so he knows a lot. Well, it's either his experience, or it's just a man-thing. I don't know. Anyway, there was a Steelers game on today. I try not to ask too many questions while they are playing (I ask away during commercials), but I was full of questions today. Some were annoying: "Why do they call it ____?" I knew he'd reached his limit when he looked over at me and smirked, "Yellow line!" A few years ago, I was in complete awe as to how they could paint that yellow line to show how far 'til the down and remove it so quickly. Once Army and my dad recovered from their fit of laughter, they let me know that it's not on the field, just the tv. So now when I've asked enough, he tells me I'm at the yellow line. I still had more questions though, so I was bombarding him during commercials. When he'd once again had enough, he looked down at Lolly, who was nestled on his chest, and said, "Be sure to ask your mommy who Pat Good is when you get older."

Game on, Boy. Game on!

I then asked him if the other team could really decline a penatly (I knew the answer). He gave me a confused look--probalby because he knew I knew the answer--and explained penalty declines using various scenarios.

Since he answered that question, I knew I had him where I wanted him, and went in for the kill...

"So, if the other guy catches the ball, they get an out, right?"

And I even lasted at least 10 seconds before I cracked a smile.

I'm the Smarterest

On occasion I can be a bit spacey. I had a nickname because of it in high school. You know the "Most Likely To ____" that they do in high school? Yeah, I made it in there too. Army got a kick out of how ditzy I could be at times when we fist started dating. I've really gotten a lot better though.

Until today.

I have satellite radio in my car. Army was listening to one of the SEC channels. After one team scored, "PAT GOOD" rolled across the radio screen. A few minutes later, "PAT GOOD" scrolled again. Thinking out loud, I said, "Who is Pat Good? I've never heard of him before. Actually, I've never seen them scroll the name of the commentator across the screen before." I though Army would bust a gut laughing! "Lan! P-A-T GOOD. Point After Touchdown. They made their point after touchdown!"

Oops!

Super Duper Extra Unfair!

Can somebody please explain when things change? Why the double standard?

Lolly is a little bitty thing. She's the extreme opposite of Linus. Lolly is small all around. Linus was huge all around. Despite being small, Lolly does have a little baby fat. Linus had lots of it. :) Linus had no fat compared to the baby down the street who we ever-so-unpolitically-correctly referred to as Sumo. *hanging head in shame* That baby had rolls on her rolls. Linus just had rolls. Anyway, Linus truly was a beautiful baby. Sure, I'm biased, but she really was. I'll have to dig up a picture at some point. People constantly said, "Oh she's so beautiful. And just look at those chubby thighs." Linus also had huge cheeks. We called them pillows because she'd tilt her head just a little to the side and rest her enormous cheeks on her shoulder and fall asleep. People would usually say, "Oh those cheeks! I could just eat them up!" Both comments are commonly said around babies. People just adore babies and all their chubby glory. I do too.

So getting to my very long winded point: why the double standard? Nobody ever looks at my thighs and says, "OMG! I love your chubby thighs!" It's so unfair! :P

Extra Quick

I'm sure you've been in the position to need a polite, but snappy, comeback line. I know I have. I'm really great at them too.....about 20 minutes after the event. They're really not too effective that much later though.

I admire the people who can nicely put an end to the direction a conversation is going. Like I said, I'm not too great at doing it when I need to. Later, yes. At the time, no. I think it's partly my non-confrontational manner, and partly that I'm so stunned by what's said that I can't think on my feet. When I do succeed, I'm so stunned that I have to fight the urges to simultaneously look stunned and smirk.

How 'bout you? Are you good with comebacks? What's your favorite one you've ever heard?

Extra Thankful

At the risk of sounding like the most unpatriotic person on the face of the earth, I am SO glad this election is finally over. It went on and on and on and on.

No matter how you voted, are you glad it's over too? Did it seem to drag on forever for you too?

Extra Curious

Have you voted yet today (or earlier if your state allows)?

Extra Wordy

It's no secret that Linus talks a lot. A whole lot. Recently Army and I have begun to worry just a bit about the future because Lolly babbles a lot. Can you imagine how difficult it will be for either of us to get a word in?

Tonight we were having a quaint little get together for dinner. As we're enjoying our dinner, Linus mentioned death. Army asked her how it made her feel, and she responded with "Well, it makes my smile turn upside down." Army told her that it's perfectly ok to be sad when someone passes away...at which point Lolly let loose with a loud "Oh yeah!" Everyone heard it. Now I'm not foolish enough to believe my two month old is really talking, but boy did it drive home the idea of what talkers we're raising!

Extra Wordy

I'm unofficially trying NaBloPoMo. Unofficially because I don't like to fail, and if I don't officially sign up for it, then if I don't post everyday, I still haven't failed. Great logic, huh?

---

Do you ever find yourself in a situation and think, "I'll have to blog this?" It happens often around here, but I rarely blog about those times. I tend to forget most of them. How sad is that?!? Last night as I was dozing off, I thought about another totally random fact about me. It was something that drives me absolutely insane. It bothered me just thinking about it last night. What was it? I don't have a clue. How I can't remember something that annoys me is beyond me! Then there are the "lost blogs" the posts that never get published because I'm worried they might offend somebody (hello? It's MY blog, why do I care?), or the ones that I worry would 'out' me to my friends and family.

Do you do this too?

Extra Effort

For the Catholics out there:

Linus got in trouble at school last week for not genuflecting before she entered the pew. I'll admit, I was a little surprised but if she gets in trouble at school, she has consequences at home, so I knew I had to address it. She ended up having something taken away, and we practiced genuflecting. A lot. On Fridays the students (and family members who are able) attend Mass each week. Linus was reminded to genuflect on the way to school. I'm happy to report she did it Friday before entering the pew.

She also did it before entering the booth at a restaurant yesterday. :D