Song of the Year . . . So Far

So Reed has begun singing here and there, and his favorite comes from one of his truck/construction vehicle videos. He wants to sing it whenever I ask him to and often times when I don't, following up a rendition or two with "Let's try it again!"

When I grow up, I'm gonna have some fun
Work real hard
Get my job done
Take a look around the world and see
Just what I want to be

And what does he want to be?

An excavator operator, of course. Some days, it's a bulldozer operator, but a construction worker nonetheless. :)

You belong in a zoo . . .

Well, that's what Auntie Karen said, and so she sent us there (well, to the Wild Animal Park) for your and dada's birthdays (year passes for both of us? Thank you, thank you, my too generous friend). We didn't see the elephants or tigers, your own choices, but we will next time, little bean-dip. I promise. In terms of what we DID manage to see before you gave in to the sleepies . . .

Happy Birthday, Little and Big Ones

I can't believe you're two, my little heart. Can't believe it. I wish SO badly I'd been able to see you this morning and wish you a very "happy birthday" -- I know you don't know the difference, but Mama does. This is one of those moments wherein it's very, very hard to work as I do, knowing I could be at home with you were things different. But they are not, so I will focus on the positive, knowing that one day I can explain to you why Mama was often gone as you grew up. And I hope you will be as proud of me as I am of you, knowing that everything I do, literally, is for the support and success of our family. Sleep is a small sacrifice for you. I did not go to bed last night as I slogged through dozens of papers so I could be with you this afternoon. It's been a long while since I did that, and I'm certainly feeling it now! But I've never had a better reason NOT to hit the hay. I hope you and Dada are having a wonderful dueling birthday, that he gave your bike this morning, and that he took pictures of you so I could share in the moment.

Ed, well, I know you don't really "care" about your birthday, especially since Reed "took" it over, but I DO know that you are excited because Reed is turning 2. You are a great father overall; you are so much closer to Reed than many fathers are to their children. He depends on you as much as he does me, and for that, you should be proud. These last two years have been probably been the biggest struggle of our lives, and we barely made it. I do love you, though I never say so, and I hope you have a memorable day with Reed today.

Trucks Are the New Mickey

They're back . . . in a big way. Photos forthcoming. Poor Mickey.

When You're Far Too Tired To Think or Write Straight . . .

...The photo blog! (Also
known as the lazy mama's
blog). Enjoy our recent
adventures.

An Olympian in the Making

We just got back from Reed's first ("trial") gymnastics class. He'll be going two mornings a week this month, and we'll see how it goes. It seems a fitting enterprise for someone who wants to hang on countertops (and appendages) and somersault off furniture. So far: R votes yes on walking on the balance beam, jumping into the foam pit, and hanging/swinging on the bars. Sitting on the rope swing? Not so much. I think we've just entered the next phase of "wow, raising kids is way more expensive than I thought" as we trade in former expenses for these sorts. Still, I think we'll find it worthwhile, and I'm excited that we can afford him various opportunities that might help him on a number of levels. If I can just find the kind of art class I want, we'll be all set. Good thing I just took on another class for October . . .