Countdown to 40 - #1

Well, my son has officially reminded me. Sweet boy said "Mommy, I like the stripes on your forehead". Um. "Those would be wrinkles, baby."

So, I am on a countdown to 40! As of today, I am 3 months, 18 days away. A few weeks ago, I was inspired by a friend who, upon turning 54, committed to doing 55 things she has never done before she turns 55. So, I've borrowed her idea. I'm committing to doing 40 things I have never done before - big or small - by my 40th birthday, February 23.

What better accountability than to share it with you all? And, you can use some of my experiences as a local's guide to the East Bay. Here we go...

#1 Birthed twin girls

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't list the first thing as birthing twins. Nope, never did that before. Short story about it. We didn't find out we were expecting twins until my 20 week ultrasound. Throughout the pregnancy, the girls heart rates were about the same, so separate heart rates were never detected during prior exams. However, we weren't surprised. My sister has 2 sets of twins, my dad is a twin and my mom had twin brothers - yeah, sort of inevitable, I suppose. 

I love to read, and I am a bit of a control freak, so I wanted to be as prepared as possible. I talked to my sister, my grandmother, and a couple of friends who have twins. I researched, read one of the books that was recommended by a friend, When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads, by Barbara Luke and Tamara Eberlein , and, I planned. Then I panicked. I realized that there was no way to totally control things, and it was up to God. That revelation was frightening and freeing. So I prayed. And started sending prayer requests about growth, health, labor and delivery to friends. While not every prayer was answered as I would have liked (it took my body quite a while to "embrace" the labor process), things occurred just as He planned (on the day I was scheduled to be induced, there was a strike, giving the girls more time), and for the best. In the end, two healthy baby girls popped out 5 minutes apart - Isabella, 7lbs 1 oz and Issa, 7lbs 11ozs.

The Gillespie Circus

Yesterday was unbelievable. I mean, I couldn't have scripted a funnier day. So, I thought I would type up yesterday's events. Then I thought "No, wait, yesterday's "in the moment" text messages convey it much better". So, here are the screen shots of some of the texts from my day, with a few disclaimers:

1.) Please don't call the authorities, I didn't "hurt 'im"
2.) I know I'm nursing and shouldn't drink all those things in the picture.
3.) I believe in 1 God in heaven. "The gods" is a figure of speech.
4.) And yes. There are typos. Several of them. These were heat of the moment texts.
5.) What makes the day funnier/more interesting/ironic is the blog post that I started out with at 6:30 yesterday morning, "A Blessing is a Blessing" at sovereignrest.blogspot.com

Ok. Now that that's settled...

**Closer pic

Potty Training Lesson #302

We are in the throes of potty training. And I must say, the process has been much easier than I've been told/expected. Enoch is a champ. Quick learner...and it doesn't hurt that he likes jelly beans - 2 jelly beans is a small price to pay for success. But, every now and then, I am reminded that he is a 2 year old. Boy. Being potty trained.

Lesson #302

Regardless of how far along you think you are in the process, you are not. So, do not tell a potty training toddler, "You need a nap. Do not come out of your room for any reason." Otherwise, your suddenly obedient child may emerge to tell you "Mommy, there's poop on my floor." And, when you notice that 1 part is smashed and ask "Did you step on it with your foot????!!!" Your very literal 2 year old may respond "No, Mommy, I stepped on it with my sock."

That lesson is free. You are welcome.

The Mini Secret Service

I finally returned to a library's story time. It took me two weeks after "the lockout" to build up my nerves. :D

We visited a new library and the storyteller is amazing. She is very engaging, and uses a variety of activities to engage the children - song, dance, parachutes, books (obviously)...you name it. 

Enoch was enthralled... 

So I thought.

A little boy, about 18 months old or so, walked over to Issa sitting in her car seat, and began to rock her. Apparently, Enoch spotted this out of the corner of his eye. Out of nowhere, he makes a bee-line to the car seat. He proceeds to put his head (not hand - entire head) over Issa, grabbed the car seat handle, gives the little boy "the look" (see below) and calmly said "Geeeentle. Gentle." 

The Secret Service has nothing on this little boy. These girls don't stand a chance.

Locked Out

Today was DEFINITELY one for the books. I took all three children to the library's story time. And celebrated arriving on time, which is no small feat these days. Pulled the "Cadillac" double-wide double stroller out of the trunk, and set it up. Took Bella out of the car. Placed her in the stroller. Strapped her in. Closed her door. Unbuckled Enoch. Told him to climb to the front drivers side, so that he wouldn't have to climb over their carseats, and could exit on the sidewalk (Yes. I was thinking thru everything -right???). Put my car keys in my special pocket in the diaper bag so I would know where they were. Closed that door. Took Issa out. Closed that door. Put her in the stroller. Began arranging things on the stroller, covering girls with blankets, etc. And I turn around to open the door to get Enoch when I hear a very familiar "click-click". Doors locked. Automatically. With the 2 year old sitting in the drivers seat. Next to the diaper bag. With my keys in it. And my phone.

For the next ten minutes I am trying to coach Enoch on which button to push to unlock the doors. And HE thinks this is a fun game. He pushed almost every button but the unlock door button. Windows. Window lock. Horn. Trunk.

"No Enoch. That button. The button with the key"
(and he goes to the ignition because that's where you put the key)

No. Enoch. No. The black button. No. not that black one. THAT black button. Right there. That one. OK. Move your hand up (from the window control)"
(and he proceeded to hold both hands up in the air - because he's literal - because he's 2!!)

With my head on the window, looking right at the button, chuckling "Are. You. Kidding. Me???"

By now, I'm between laughing and crying in total disbelief. I'm looking around to see if anyone is watching this.

Finally, I thought of a different strategy.
"Ok. Enoch. Open the diaper bag. Yes. The zipper. That zipper. No. Not that one. The little zipper. Yes. Yes. Ok. Take out my keys. Yes, Mommy's keys. Ok. Push the button. No son. Not that one. That's lock. No. Not the trunk. Yes. Yes. Yes  That one. That one"

Click-click.

Followed by "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, I did it!! I did it!!!!"

As I lean against the car... "Yes. Son. You did it. Good job. You did it."

The Eucalyptus

Not long ago, we took Enoch to a regional park with a little farm. I am in the habit of narrating our activities, so I like to point out things that appeal to all the senses. "Enoch, look at the birds. What color are the trees? What is that sound?" Well, at some point we walked along a path lined with eucalyptus trees (which have a distinct smell), with leaves rustling in the wind. I said, "Enoch, do you smell the eucalyptus?" Enoch, eyes wide with a look of horror, took off running. When I finally caught him he proclaimed, "No, mommy, no, you-clip-us!!!" Apparently, he thought "eucalyptus"was some type of animal that lived in the "forest". And while he wasn't sure about how a "you-clip-us" looked, he was definitely NOT interested in meeting one. Next lesson... the properties of wind. :)

Image found at http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/1698453267_1370308722.jpg

Not That Music

At 9:28 a.m. Enoch and I were off to a rocky start. He'd had multiple crying fits - over a bean art project, going to the potty, a caterpillar Lego castle (don't ask). In the past, I have been known to break out into song whenever I've felt overwhelmed. So, in an attempt to calm my nerves (at 9:28 am and he had only been awake since 8:23), I went ol' school - Bigma-style.."Jesus keep me near the cross..."
Enoch, looks at me and proclaims "Nooooo mommy, Nooooooo. Not THAT music."
I guess it worked. I calmed down by laughing....

Sweet Sounds

I love my son. I love that he loves his momma, and awakens me some days with "Good morning Momma. I love you. You're my best friend." Love him.
One recent morning, I was awakened by his sweet sing-songy voice asking, "Mommy would you wash my hands??"
Groggily, slowly, I sit up and respond, "Sure, Son. What's on your hands?"
"Poopy."
Thank goodness for those other mornings.