little white whale

 

Every morning, every morning upon waking Leo bounds into our bedroom where I am usually nursing Matilda and lets loose a Good Morning Mom!  What are we doing today Mom?  Where are we going today?  Who's coming to our house today? 

Mom?

Sigh.

I never feel I am doing enough for this kid.  And honestly I've felt that way since he started walking.  He needs more than me.  He needs so much more than me, I've thought time and time again.  Lamenting this exact statement to my sister she says;

 He is SOOooo ready for school.

She's right.  Part of me thinks we should have put him in a program this fall.  The selfish part of me wanted him home one more year.  This is the first, last, and only year the both of us will ever spend at home together.  I know I know.  Get over it.  Somebody get the clamp and scissors.  Let's cut that umbilical cord already.

 

Tonight Mitchell and I were talking with Leo about school next year--it's been a topic of conversation lately since a deposit to hold his spot at the particular preschool he'll be attending in August of 2010--is due in December. 

Leo was all smiles asking us questions. 

I'll get to talk to the teacher? 

Oh, I'm sure she'll be talking with you a lot.

I'll get to tell her about all the animals?

Sure....

Mom, hummingbirds fly backwards and forwards.  Asian elephants have smaller ears than African elephants.  Giraffes have looooonng necks to reach the leaves.  Peacocks can have maannny colors....zebras, addax, antelope, cheetahs, lemurs, meerkats, screech owls, howler monkeys, polar bears......

(When Leo runs out of things to tell about the animals he usually begins a litany of their names.)

 

Oh, teacher, whoever you are.  We are sending you such a treat!  Such a joy.  Here's to hoping there's an elaborate animal themed unit you have planned at some point.   

What's that?  Leo has already volunteered to bring your classroom iguana home to care for over Christmas break?  Fantastic.    

             

 

 

 

   

 

Seen above Tills is modeling an outfit made by My Little Chubby Cheeks.  Jumper by Marianne.  Headband by my mom.  The button on this headband is one from my very dear late Grandmother's collection--who Matilda was named after--so it's super special to me.  This jumper is reversible and matches the print on the headband. 

These two women can personalize and monogram about any piece of clothing your heart is hankering for!  Come on.  I know you know a baby or small child who needs an extraordinary gift this holiday season.     

I was going to wait and post this photo when Marianne and my mom had pictures of their handmade goods on their website (I'll let you readers know when that happens!), but I could not keep it to myself.  Precious!  Adorable!  Doesn't it make you want to slide down a rainbow and land in marshmallows?  Or hug a Care Bear?  Or ride on the back of a unicorn?  It's simply that ooey gooey cute?!?  

Then again.  That could just be me.   

Yesterday was not only the Goose's half birthday, it was also my niece and goddaughter Ava's 2nd birthday.  What a looker this little girl is becoming:

Before I continue on with the picture parade--here is a shameless plug for my mom and Marianne's business.  The jumper Ava is wearing was made by none other than my mom.  It's hard to see in this photo, but the print is horses.  It's reversible and just gorgeous.  Perfect for Ava's horse-themed birthday bash.  Marianne and my mom make anything from these reversible jumpers to barrettes, headbands, detailed onesies, embellished burp clothes, ponchos, jackets, and so on.  They'll do custom work as well.  If you click on their website currently there aren't a lot of pictures, but they promise to put some up soon of their merchandise.  Snap to it ladies!  Your public awaits!  Because, aren't the holidays just around the riverbend?  

 

Oh to be two again and have a giant table stacked with presents!  And then open the first gift, fall in love with that awesome something, and become completely oblivious to the mountain of stuff left unopened.  I think Leo and Gus became more interested in Ava's loot as her fervor lessened.

  

Maybe the most popular gift of the night was given by Ava's Grandma and Grandpa Hughes.  Check out this pony!  This present almost made Ava achieve instant nirvana.

Everybody wanted a turn.  Push.  Shove.  Push. 

  Look who snuck on when the crowd cleared.

And now I'd like to introduce to you the woman in both my sons' lives.  I give you Miss Caroline. 

It's a weird little love triangle they have going on.  Leo loves him some Caroline.  But Caroline loves her some Gus.  And Gus.  Gus wants little to nothing to do with sweet Caroline.  As Leo was trying to pull her back in Ava's bedroom (Mitchell had to have a chit-chat with him about that) Caroline was cornering Gus every chance she got.  Our demure Goose got his NO and head shake going.  Here is Caroline doing her best to seek refuge from her pursuer.

My sister and brother-in-law really know how to throw one heckofa get together.  Good food, good fun, lots of conversation.  They've set the precedent pretty high as far as birthday parties go.  Leo's third birthday is a little over a month away and he's expressed an interest in either an animal/zoo theme (SHOCK of all SHOCKS) or a dinosaur one.  We better start the planning now to make it half as good as this celebration.  Thanks Ann and Bert! 

 

I'll wrap this up with one last HOLLA to our darling, dearest Ava Beans!  Happy birthday lovey! 

 

Yay for Goosey!  He's been with us for a year and a half exactly!  Let's all take a moment and celebrate his survival! 

 

Lately 'round here we've got a case of monkey see, monkey do.  Gus has learned from Leo that you can generally use any smaller object to climb onto and reach any larger object your heart desires.  I.  Am.  In.  Trouble.  Lots of it. 

He's also learned the power of these two letters N-O.  No.  It's most likely his favorite word.  He throws it around like he owns it and usually adds an emphatic shake of the head for effect.  As in No, I don't want waffles for breakfast.  No, I don't feel like taking a nap.  No, I'd rather sit here in my dirty diaper than be changed. 

Here is a classic Gus WatchutalkinboutWillis look:

 

Gus has a barrel full of words he uses separately, but hasn't yet grasped the concept of stringing them together.  It's hard for me not to compare the boys, so here I go.  Haven't I mentioned a bunch how Gus will need middle child therapy?  I'm sure of it. 

 

At this stage in the game, 1.5 years, Leo was speaking in four+ word grammatically correct sentences.  He was counting objects up to ten.  He could spell his name L-E-O.  He could mimic anything you said--so his vocabulary was infinite.   

Then again, Leo's always been a little ahead of himself.  My dad was taken aback that Leo calls me Mom and not Mommy or Mama.  What I didn't say is that Leo sometimes refers to us as Mitchell and Sarah.  (It's not something we encourage so I don't need a lecture on respecting one's parents from anyone.)  The other night I was tucking Leo into bed and he asked me for a sippy of water.  

ME:  No, I'm not getting one.  You're settled in for the night.  You don't need it.

LEO:  Maybe Mitchell can get it for me.

ME:  Mitchell?  Who's Mitchell?

LEO:  (said in a DUH sort of way)  He's my father.  

 

Right.  Silly Mom.  I forgot.  You're almost three going on, what--thirteen??? 

 

So back to Gus, whom we affectionately call our Train Wreck.  Trust me.  He's earned that title.  Gus is always banged up, scratched up, covered from head to foot in any substance he's happened to come in contact with mixed with a fair amount of his own drool.  Just a mess of a little boy.  But oh so loveable. 

For being rough and tumble--he remains quite gentle with his baby sis.  Sissy, as he calls her.  An excellent balance between jagged and smooth.  Gritty and sweet.   

He might just have a girlfriend by the time he's in first grade.  That is, if she can look past the crud on the front of his shirt.        

 

      

Remember when Mitchell and I toured those open houses a few weeks ago?  Remember we were put on the evening news?

Well, that day marked the first time I've really thought about my old teaching gig since I left it last May.  Walking through the hallways, being part of the hustle and bustle, seeing the students listening, partaking, interacting in the classrooms--made me feel a little...left out. 

Many times over I have been told (and sometimes by the casual lady standing next to me in the checkout lane) what a blessing it is to stay at home.   

And I do feel like a lucky gal.  I chose this life.  The option of job or home isn't on everyone's table, I know.  It wasn't possible when my maternity leave was up with Leo.  We weren't capable of it even after Gus.  Boy did I cry.  And cry when the time came to leave another baby behind.  So yes, as much as I might brush that word off--it is a blessing to be here at home with our Leo, our Gus, and our little Tills.    

This is why we account for every dollar we spend.  And I do literally mean every friggin dollar:   

No financial wiggle room is not at all peachy.  There are days when I think I could be doing more.  In a perfect world, could I be working from home?  Could I be tutoring?  Or freelance writing?  Or?  Or? 

I'm still working on the answers to the above.  But in the meantime, OHMYGOD, look at my baby girl.  Can you believe I get to stare at her all day long?  What a privilege. 

 

What a blessing.

And can you blame me for wanting more?

 

 

A bit over two months ago Tillie was born with a nasty case of original sin.  Thanks a lot Eve!  This past weekend she was treated by our beloved Father Ralph at St. Louis Bertrand (where Mitchell and I were married and her brothers were also baptized). Since then her condition seems to be clearing up quite nicely.  All week long she's been basking in her new Catholic state.  Cousin Alex, also a sufferer of this affliction, was baptized as well.  Alex practically laughed the whole way through!  Tills, well, she seemed somewhat skeptical.  A thank you to her godparents: my brother Tommy and Mitchell's cousin Tess.  We fully expect Matilda to be calling on you for all her moral dilemmas should Mitchell and I turn up missing. 

Let the pictures begin!

 

I am all about baby girl headbands now.  The bigger, the better in my opinion.

This height difference never ceases to amaze me.  Sheesh.  And I'm wearing just a tiny bit of a heel.

So glad to be sharing the spotlight with Aunt Ann, Uncle Bert, and cousin Alex. 

Nicholas and Leo always make sure to love on each other a little.  Sometimes a lot.   

Welcome to Catholicism!

Matilda and her godmother, Tess!!!

I know Tess will watch out for our little girl.  So will her Uncle Tommy.  She is truly blessed!   

Thank you Kelly once again for taking some amazing pictures for us! 

Goose wants membership to the four-eyed club NOW!  I told him to be patient.  His time will come.  And then when it's pressed upon him, glasses will no longer appear so cool.  Just like how I used to really want braces on my teeth.  Everybody had braces.  I wanted braces.  It seemed like a rite of passage.  And then I got them.  And then guess what?  Braces plus glasses plus puberty equals really really awkward middle school phase.  Careful what you wish for Goosey.

 

 

I found a willing photographer for a family Halloween pic.  Thanks SO MUCH KELLY!  This could not have been accomplished without your help.   

ROLL CALL please:

We've got Tillie the Giraffe, Gus the Koala Bear, Leo the Zookeeper, and Mitchell & Sarah the Zebras.

Hold it, you're thinking.  Zebras?  Not skeletons?  Are you sure you're not skeletons?  Disjointed skeletons?  People trying to be skeletons who clearly missed school when human anatomy was covered?  NO.

Or wait.  You sure you're not skunks?  You look an awful lot like skunks.  You've even got little ears on top of your head.  What's that about? 

These are things I said myself while Mitchell and I viewed our costumes in the mirror after having striped each other with the white duct tape.  I know.  Doesn't that sound....romantic?

Something seemed off.  I held up one of Leo's zebra figurines and said Um, Mitchell I think zebras are white with black stripes.  We looked at ourselves in the mirror once more.  Crap.          

Let me just say; it was A LOT easier rounding up all black clothes than it was all white clothes.  I don't wear a whole lot of white.  Especially white pants.  No way.  I'm just not a person who can pull off white pants.....so black zebras with white stripes it was. 

Anyhow, we had a great party with our good friends and fam.  Trick or treating was ohsocute to watch as a parent.  It's fascinating to see your kids interact with perfect strangers and get rewarded with candy!  What a weird holiday when you think about it. 

Hope wherever you were your celebration was just as grand as ours!     

 

  

Matilda:

Our Tills at ten weeks.  This picture is mainly for my mom.  What do you think Mimi?  Does the biggo flower (and cheesy rhinestone) help soften her features?  My mom (and I love you mom, but you know this is true)--isn't shy about frequently sharing her, um, opinions with anyone.  Matilda is one of the boys she says.  A little on the butch side.  Oh Mimi.  What are we going to do with you?     

Words to describe Tillie at this juncture: alert, happy, agreeable, chatty, and...simply lovely.  What some folks might call a good baby.

She's definitely settled into her spot as child number three.  Just as I always felt Gus knew he wasn't going to be the forever baby of the family, I think Matilda knows that too.  Good.

 

Leo:

Yesterday Leo peed in a public restroom for the first time.  Hallelujah.  No more running out to the little potty in the trunk of our car when nature calls, hopefully.  Big potties are all the rage now.  Again, Hallelujah. 

Zookeeper glasses are worn for a few hours each day.  I don't want to push it too much.  We do sort of use Dr. Bizer as an intimidating figure though.  As in better put your zookeeper glasses on, wouldn't want to upset Dr. Bizer.  Dr. Bizer might drop by and check to see if you're wearing those zookeeper glasses.  It's weird this works because we never met any doctors while getting his prescription filled.  Leo took it upon himself to tell people Dr. Bizer gave him those glasses.  So we went with it. 

 

Gus:

Goose will be 18 months old in another week.  Whew!  This child can give some looks.  Careful when Guster stares you down--it's like...it's like...he's reading your soul or something.  I swear, this child will spot a lie on you a mile coming.  Don't try to put nuthin' past Goose.  Mitchell calls him Mr. Drama.  It's true.  Gus is outrageously sensitive.  His feelings bruise at the slightest negative feedback.  How did I give birth to such opposite little boys? 

 

Mitchell:

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I had to light a little fire under Mitchell's rear.  We are hosting Thanksgiving this year for our families as well as a Christmas party for The Lou Crew group of our friends.  So it's hang this, paint that, finish this.  Per Mitchell's request I made an order of importance to-do list for him.  Wouldn't you know it?  After putting the kids to bed the other night I come down to the basement and he's mudding the drywall in the basement bedroom.  Er, people, that was no where near being on the list of must-have-dones.  Dammit.  Mitchell. 

 

Me:

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I gave birth to Matilda on a Friday.  The following Friday--seven days later--I stepped on the scale to discover I was 18 pounds lighter from the previous week.  Don't confuse my amazement with bragging.  I can't take credit for doing anything special--it just happened.  Since then it's been a slow row to hoe.  I've still got about 10 to go--but while we're at it--why not 15?  My sister and I have been running together a few times a week.  I'm just impatient.  I'd like it gone already. 

Oh.

So just when our lives have settled down comfortably and it feels like we've always been a family of five--Mitchell has begun to hear talk of a possible fourth Reinhart baby.  I really can't help myself.  To which Mitchell promptly says shut your mouth, Sarah!     

Nothing in the immediate future.  The plan is to nurse Matilda as long as she'll have me.  And to see a certain number when I step on the scale.  But that really isn't news to anyone now is it?

 

p.s.  I promise there's a lot more to me than just reproducing.  I do have outside interests. 

Really.  No, really.     

                   

 

 

I had every intention of slapping some fairy wings on Matilda's back come Saturday, but those plans flew OUT THE WINDOW when I happened upon this beauty of a costume today at Babies R Us.  One peek at the clearance orange sticker price $5.00

SERIOUSLY $5.00!!! 

and it was ours.

Sorry Tills, honey.  Change of plans.  My advice is to get used to it.  I'll make no bones about saying our decisions shift with the wind around here.  Plus, those fairy wings aren't going anywhere.  Next year you'll have more voice in the matter.  Buck up Buttercup.   

So the Reinharts are now completely animal-themed for Halloween 2009.  Stay tuned for a family photo, that is, if I can wrangle all my wild things and find a willing photographer (Mitchell and I are dressing up too!)  I'm going to predict the odds of getting a good pic landing somewhere between slim and none. 

Stay tuned regardless!

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When Leo saw his beloved Tills as a giraffe--he GASPED audibly, excitedly A GIRAFFE!!! Not a fairy? 

And was equally crushed when he realized size 3-6 months didn't also fit him.