Happy Birthday Mom & Thankful Thursday

Once Again, Mom....HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

This morning was an interesting one, to say the least. In less than an hour I felt like Erma Bombeck who I used to love. My English teacher in high school introduced me to her writings and I've loved them since.

The morning began at 6:45 and we needed to get up for school. Matthew immediately started out the morning by saying he was still tired. I thought, OK...15 more minutes under the covers and then that's it.

At 7 AM he started saying how he didn't want to go to school today. When I asked him why he mentioned that he was comfy and cozy and just didn't want to get up and go. I let him know that if we could get through today, he would have almost a full week vacation off due to Veteran's Day on Monday.

He didn't want any part of it and me being the cozy loving, cuddling, sleep loving, bed loving under the covers mom that I am, I forced myself up to get dressed, turn on his shows on the TV downstairs, make coffee and get him something to eat.

Twenty minutes later, him and Daddy were snuggling on the couch. I said "This isn't helping me." Daddy made him a deal that if he went to school, I would let him play Super Mario games on the computer when he comes home.

He really is getting carried away and it is amazing to me to see how at four years old, he is not spoiled, but he needs to stop expecting things such as toys, games - computer related or otherwise. I need to put my foot down. I will let him play his games today and luckily tomorrow we have a play date to get out of the house. We also had one yesterday so at least his time is being spent more socializing with his friends than in the house on the computer. He is Daddy's little boy and he will tell me to just type in "the network"!!

The other day I found out that network isn't the same as Daddy's but The CARTOON NETWORK site.

He is really good and plays more than batman & spiderman and superhero games. He is really good at educational games as well and loves just as much to be online playing WORD WORLD games on PBSkids.com

I don't want to hold him back from learning but somehow I need to let him know that life wasn't always this technical or this easy. I hate to sound like my parents, but I find myself starting now to say "Back when I was a kid" and I know that isn't the answer but I need to give him a view of life without computers or toys constantly being shown on the commercials. In two minutes he will ask me for five toys one after another. I keep saying add it to your list for Santa and I keep making him aware of how many times he is asking for something. We'll say "Where are we going to put all of these toys?"

He'll just say "Upstairs, down the basement" (because that is where all of his toys are)

And he is only almost 5.

Anyway, back to this morning. He finally ate two bites of an oatmeal raisin cereal bar (not enough) and then as we were getting ready to put on his sneakers (8:05- school starts at 8:30), he started telling me that he had a bump on the back of his head.

I found it under the hair and immediately feared what it was. He has never had one up to this point and now in hindsight I feel like a horrible mom because he was the one to find it and not me.

It was a tick!!!!

Eric naked in the shower trying to get ready for work, peeked out and confirmed my fears. He told Matthew that he would take it out. While we were waiting for Daddy to throw on a towel, Matthew went into panic mode and hid out in the closet. I assured him that Daddy is a professional and that he used to do this with Ringo and Pooker all of the time. I assured him that Daddy taking it out would be alot easier than not taking it out and that it could make him sick.

At 8:15 Daddy got that damn live tick out of my angel's head.

At 8:18 Matthew squished him with his magnifying glass after thinking he was cool.

At 8:25 we were in the car and Matthew said "What kind of bug was that again?" I told him and he repeated it and said he would have to tell his teacher and his friends.

I immediately am panicking about the horribleness of kids being cruel said "Don't tell the kids about it honey. You can tell your teacher. I'm telling your teacher."

Thank you God today wasn't show and tell and he would want to bring it in.

So now it is time for me to go pick him up.

I am going to have to cut my Thankful things list down today due to timing.

1. I'm Thankful Daddy was home so that he could get that thing out of his hair.
2. I'm Thankful Matthew eventually made it to school today.
3. I'm Thankful for my coffee.
4. I'm Thankful for my life that I can find the humor in this due to my experience with Erma Bombeck. I know my English teacher passed away years ago, but thank you Mrs. B.

Have a pint with my mom today and give her a hug for me.

Happy Halloween

I can't believe that today is Matthew's official 5th Halloween.

The first year being a new and thrilled mom that had finally been given the gift of a child to celebrate the holiday spirit in me and with me, I bought him two costumes. And this year is the first year since then that I only bought one. I get a little excited with him.

This morning, he was so excited when he woke up. You would think it was Christmas instead of Halloween. I wished him a Happy Halloween and he whispered and squeezed it back to me, like Christmas Morning wishing you love. He was an extra special cuddlebug this morning, making it hard for Mommy to get motivated and him ready for school. He said "Just 5 more minutes and 5 more cuddles."

He thought maybe at his Halloween party at school today that there might be skeleton cookies with sprinkles on top!!!! Extra pronunciation on the SPRINKLES ON TOP.

I will be heading early today to his school, where they will have him dressed in his Black Spiderman outfit and they will have made pumpkins with vegetable faces. It is going to be alot of fun.

Here are a few more for memories sake:

MANIC MONDAY - BUT A GOOD MANIA...FOR ONCE

IT'S JUST ANOTHER MANIC MONDAY...LA, LA, LA....WISH IT WERE SUNDAY...

CAUSE THAT'S MY FUN DAY...LA LA LA

RED SOX AND THE PATRIOTS (THAT i AGAIN DIDN'T WATCH) LA, LA, LA, LA, LA...

WORLD SERIES WIN AND SMASHING THE REDSKINS 52-SOMETHIN...LA, LA, LA, LA, LA

sorry....actually yesterday I wasn't feeling good so I was thrilled to find myself up at midnight last night watching the wonderful game with the red sox winning. I clapped to loud though and woke up Matthew, but not before actually watching the whole game.

I love them all. Jacoby is my favorite though. What an experience for someone with that Little League little boyish grin and what a talent he is!! Thank you Jacoby!!! Thank you Mike Lowell for your Home Run last night:-) Thank you for giving us that fourth run. Talk about a finger biting, glued to my seat last inning. I could go on and on but this is going to be short. I have to pick up Matthew from school because he actually made it today.

Here is a picture of my little guy modeling his Halloween attire this morning. Front and Back for Mommy.

ICE campaign - In Case of Emergency - IRONY OF TODAY

Well, the irony of this is I am shaking right now as I type this. I just got back from picking Matthew up from school, and I got this email from my brother on the ICE campaign.

The other day while I was foolishly blogging about Tom Brady, I wound up being two minutes late for Matthew's school. I am a horrible mom and have felt the guilt of it since the moment I realized I have to get off the computer and go pick him up. I rushed through town (only a 3 minute drive) and almost got into an accident with a lady in my blind spot.

I made it there in time to have all of the other moms gone and Matthew waiting patiently looking through the glass doors at me as I drove up to the school. His teacher wasn't concerned as I apologized but I was astonished because usually there are still moms lurking around for 10 minutes and this morning, there wasn't. I have never felt so guilty in my life.

This morning, miracles happen for some strange reason and it is something the way things go. All it takes is one second, one minute and it can all come to an end.

I was talking to my best friend K in PA who I hadn't talked to in 3 months. I was determined not to be late so I casually and slowly got to his school 10 minutes early (like every other time) and talked to her on my cell phone in the car. I told her I love her and that I'm always thinking of her and wish I could be there to give her a hug.

I got out of the car at 10:58 when other moms started to show up and hung out right in front for Matthew to see me. A teacher peeked her head out of the door mentioning that school picture day is taking a little longer and that it would probably be another 10 minutes for them to come out. I joked with a few moms about being late the other day and now I'm early and he will be late. We joked about going to the dentist office and being late and being early and then waiting a long time.

Matthew ran out of the door ten minutes later and we headed slowly towards the car. He wanted to go play in the playground and I was trying to convince him first of going home to change his school picture day clothes first. He had on a nice pair of tan pants that I didn't want getting ruined. I told him we'll have lunch, get into play clothes and then head back out to a playground. He was sad because he saw his little friend there and wanted to stay and play.

I bumped into his other little friend L and his mom who was scurrying around like a mad hatter trying to get to her car, she had an important date and said she was having one of those mornings as she passed by smiling.

As I pulled out of the parking lot, taking a left onto the street and began to drive, out of nowhere a police cruiser stormed past me lights blaring and immediately speeding to somewhere.

As I got to the end of the road, where I would normally go through our quaint little common, it had 3 police cars and lights glaring so I took a quick right to avoid what looked like an accident that had just happened. It didn't look like much at first so I turned around a few blocks down to head back in that direction because that was the way I needed to go.

I got closer and witnessed a minivan with RI plates that had been hit horribly in the drivers side front end. The woman driving seemed to be already out of her car and on her cell phone. Matthew was watching so I was trying to keep my emotions down as I was witnessing this. I then saw another car. A four door later model blue car. It was completely smashed head on into a 300 year old oak tree. Policemen were inside the car trying to help but that was all I saw.

My husband told me once that once a tree is hit, that's it. It doesn't move or sway the way another car or another object might. The damage I saw and that I hope Matthew didn't comprehend, was devastating. There was debris everywhere and I drove slowly through glass and headed home.

I'm sick to my stomach, thanking God that I do Thank Him every night for my son, Thanking him that I told K how much I loved her, thanking Him for not having me be in that spot at that time this morning, thanking Him for Eric's calm and understanding voice on the phone.

Hug the ones you love, tell the ones you love that you're sorry or whatever you need, because in just one breath that's it.

When I witnessed my mom passing I had 25 years to prepare and knew it was coming. It was the most horrible thing anyone could ever witness.

To see someone possibly pass away right before my eyes as I drove by, it's so unfair and so devastating to me. Did that person tell their family they loved them? Were they going to school also to pick up their preschool or school age child or did they pick them up and were they in the car? Did they have anyone in their life that will notice that they are gone?

I am praying for the people this morning affected in this accident and their families and other tragedies that happen every day that because we don't see them, we forget that they happen.

Here is the ironic email I got from my brother when I got home:

ICE campaign - 'In Case of Emergency'

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call.

Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this ' ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign

The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly.

It is a method of contact during emergency situations.

As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call.

He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose.

In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE'.

Please forward this. It won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.

Mommy's Friday Recap Week In Review

Alright little one, this is going to be a weekly tradition. I guess I'm giving up my Fantasy Friday's for awhile.

I think other than Disney World right now, that is our main fantasy and I am hoping before your next birthday that we get there. I am working on it.

• Last Friday night, we got a knock on our door and when you opened it I wish I could have captured your face and your surprise. It was Princess N and Grammy R. You hadn't seen Princess N now in 3 months and we all were going through withdrawal. When you opened the door, you said " N WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE???!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!" You wound up spending an hour with her and we were busy making plans for Saturday. We went to an unbelievable animal farm called Winslow Animal Farm The website does not do it justice. You love animals and Halloween and the farm was all decorated with haunted mazes and scary decorations around every corner. You loved every thing and were especially touched by the horse (that was deformed & abused) named Hershey. He was a chocolate brown color and you were petting him. They take such wonderful care of all of the animals and really show them alot of love and I think the animals loved being petted and sometimes chased by you. When we came home from the farm, Mommy made the most pathetic scarecrow for you with a number 12 on his shirt. I thought that stuffing it with old sheets was ok, but Daddy soon corrected it on Sunday....throwing his arm over there and his feet over there and his head over there (just like the flying monkeys) and then re-stuffed it with leaves. Thank you Daddy because now it really does look good and you can see the whole body from the street!
• Monday was your very first school holiday (well not counting last year). You are too little to understand Columbus Day and with the week of rain that the forecaster was planning, Mommy made some play dates with your new friends from school. Unfortunately your little friend R------ had a bad cold and needed to be healthy for his birthday on Wednesday so we are going to have them over in the next week or so. Mommy's brain is all mushy that I can't even remember what we then did.
• Tuesday we were all excited because your little friend L--- and his little sister and Mom were coming over. Mommy is getting a little overwhelmed with school dates, play dates and the weather, that I forgot that we were supposed to go to a park that day with another meetup group we joined. L--- and you are a little alike in that you are both little Irishmen and have the same only boy, independent, toughness about you. He is a nice boy though that likes to work on real cars in his garage with his Dad. He is working on a Chevelle that his Dad is going to give him when he gets older. I mentioned that is a reason why we want to fix our garage because Daddy can't wait to make and work on go-carts and build things with you. Ever since Tuesday you have been pointing out all of the Ford trucks on the road. We were all amazed by L---'s ability to spell GMC on our refrigerator with our letter magnets and that he knew we drove Fords. hehe
• Wednesday, you could not get out of the car fast enough when I drove you to school. You didn't care that it was drizzling out. You missed being in school now for almost a whole week due to the holiday and you just couldn't wait to run to R------ and yell HAPPY BIRTHDAY R!!!!!! You also mentioned to me as we were pulling up, that someone was waiting for you. A certain little girl you had a crush on last year for the 3 months you were in another preschool who is now in your class. The funny thing is last year, you would have me roll down the windows in the car as we were leaving to yell Goodbye to this little girl and you would run to her to swing next to her on the swings. Last year, she could care less. This year Mommy is noticing the way she hides behind her mom's legs and smiles at us and the way she is when your around. Your getting through to her, but you aren't tied down now and you still notice the other pretty little girls in your class. You are starting to ask less and less for Princess N and with her being away for 3 months, you hadn't asked for her in at least 2. I think that you are growing up and realizing that not only does she live far away but also you have other fish in the sea just like she does in her school. Today (Friday) we saw her at the library and she was with a bunch of friends that were in story time and I heard her say why don't we have my friend Matthew play. But we weren't there for long. We also ran into R------ and his mom. You said "Mom!! Look!! R's here at the library!!!!" He is having his birthday week with family from Maryland and Virginia so he is busy this week.
• Thursday you came home with some art work you did with leaves. The theme for the week. You expressed your concern because L--- was the calender boy and you wanted to do it. I mentioned that due to the names it seemed they are going in alphabetical order and I bet next week you will be calender boy. You also brought home the books I ordered you from Scholastic books called Diego's phonics and 3 little books about feelings. You were so excited and couldn't wait to get the plastic off of them. We made a little bat yesterday that we got at ACMoore. Mommy was disappointed because it was missing an eye ball and 6 little cord strings that you bead onto. I had another eyeball but it put a damper into our bat making. But that is what you get for a dollar. Last night when Daddy got home you pulled out your paints and did the most beautiful painting. You could sit and paint, playdoh, paint and make crafts from morning til night.
• Today we had a play date with the twins who we also had not seen in two weeks. We went to their house to play and we were wonderfully surprised when their mom brought out Halloween stickers and paper bags to decorate. Again you were in your glory and then you got to play for another hour so we had fun. She also gave Mommy an awesome Halloween poem that you attach to the bags with goodies on them, and then ring the doorbell and run at the neighbors. Really cute. We then went to the library where for some reason you didn't want Mommy to get a book, but then seeing R and S from school you forgot about your little mood and had fun. We wound up getting enough books for two months, with two movies and Mommy got alot of landscaping books to learn about shade planting and perennials and when to plant and how to plant what and where. Right now you are patiently waiting for me to make dinner while you watch a Disney movie. You are being the most wonderful son and I love you giving me this time.

I know you have a million funny things in this week that I want to get out, but I have to make dinner so I am going to go now.

GO RED SOX AND PATRIOTS!!!!

Mommy's letter to Matthew (week in review)

Dear Matthew,

This week you made Mommy so proud. You had a busy week at school and play dates with some new and old friends.

You are really doing great at keeping us both busy.

While you're building your own friendships, you unknowingly are making friends for Mommy (the moms of your new friends).

You are so outgoing, personable and caring that I know you are going far in life with these qualities alone.

In one week, we've gone to the playground with the triplets and her sister, to school, to have lunch and play with a new schoolmate and her twin brothers and today to a wonderful little zoo and playground that we love with R and N and their mom.

You had such a wonderful time and you and R are becoming such good buddies. You even thanked him for inviting you to his "Scooby Doo Party" next week. As usual, your loving ways with N, touched her heart and mine. I'm told you are number #2 on her birthday list in January.

You made a Red Sox Buddie at school while celebrating Red Sox week.

They are in the playoffs again and tonight Daisuke Matsuzaka will be pitching against the Angel's. Everyone in MA is cheering them on. Your Red Sox Buddie is so cute with the body of a baseball that you drew and cut out with your scissors. It is right up in the window next to our Halloween decorations for the world to see. Last week you made a really cute green wiggly worm because it was Apple Week.

You are loving the songs you learn everyday. Sometimes you remember the words, but sometimes you don't. That's ok, because you also have the uncanny ability to come up with your own words. The other day in the car you sang a song about Mickey Mouse.

When Mommy told you how much I loved that song, you mentioned "Every time I look at something, my brain makes me want to sing".

I taught you the word "INSPIRATION".

I explained that inspiration is what Mommy used to have, when she would write her own lyrics 20 years ago. I said that for Mommy though, I needed a moment on the riverbank with a notebook and pen and no distractions for my creativity to flow. I told you that you don't have that problem, you have the talent of immediate creativity to create that song.

Sometime before today is done, we are making that scarecrow that Mommy promised and decorate the front of the house with that little bale of hay I bought. You really are loving this season and having fun doing anything arts and crafts.

Over the weekend, you and Daddy made two black construction paper projects with Halloween velvet stickers on them and they came out awesome!

Last but not least. Yesterday I asked you again (for the millionth time) if you would marry Mommy? You mentioned (for the millionth time) no, that I'm married to Daddy. I said "But I want to be married to both of you".

You said "I CAN'T MOMMY...................................DADDY LOVED YOU FIRST.."

I LOVE YOU HONEY.
THANK YOU FOR BEING MY MIRACLE AND MY WORLD.
Love
Mommy

xoxoxox

On The First Day Of October...

I gave to me.

An orange and black blog with cute little Casper the friendly ghost.

Alright, so I'm weird. I'm entitled. I have a four and a half year old little boy. I'm allowed now to do those things that I waited my whole life to do and people used to think I was weird then.

Now I have someone to show off my "child friendly" side.

Today October came in with a coldness that reminded me that I have to buy Matthew a winter coat, gloves and a hat soon.

Cold mornings, warm afternoons and cold evenings. I wish it would just make up it's mind. This morning I left for his school wearing a sweater and one of my new fall coats that I found on www.classiccloseouts.com. This site is incredible. I feel like I am in the old Eynon Drug store in PA or the old department store Eric used to work for. Great buys at really great prices.

Anyway now that I'm done advertising, I was the only mom all bundled up this morning. They all show up in short sleeves and shorts. I know living on a lake makes the weather at home completely unrealistic to the weather just up the street, but really. I think my being so skinny and having previous bouts of hypothyroidism, I am just always going to be cold.

Matthew wasn't helping me this morning. He was cold as well and so he didn't want me to stop cuddling to eat, to stop cuddling to get dressed. It really puts crooks in my morning when he wants to cuddle. I'm not complaining because I love those kind of crooks in my morning.

Over the weekend, we spent two days in a row visiting Grandma & Grandpa K for their anniversary so Matthew had a great weekend. Last night we had dinner to celebrate and he loved just being around his cousins and Aunts and Uncles, not to mention Grandma & Grandpa.

This week is going to be another busy week with new friends, play dates at the parks with new and old friends. Last year we made friends with a mom who had three year old triplets (one girl and two boys). Natural, no infertility and she was pregnant with another when we last saw her. The triplets went to school with Matthew at his brief stint of school and I just felt for that mom. And she amazingly made everything look so effortless. The kids were all well behaved, quiet, smiled and her 7 months pregnant at the time acting like everything was wonderful. I would and still look at her with pride.

Her triplets were so used to automatically having playmates from birth that they were already well advanced at socialization. They were content to just be quiet and listen to a story or sit and play next to each other. The little girl was the mother hen always pulling them behind her at the playground like a great little mom.

Today we are meeting them again a a local park with their new baby sister who will be one in December.

At least now the girls even out the boys. They are an automatic team wherever they go.

Later this week, we are having lunch with the mom from Brazil and her little girl and twin boys. Then also we are meeting some moms at a local playground.

The end of next week brings something exciting for all of us. One of our new friends little boy will be turning 5 and we are invited to his party. Matthew is so excited. He is excited to have Daddy meet the kids. He's met the mom when we went out one night for Smithwicks (beer I love from Ireland) but they had just sold out so we had our Irish dinner instead. For anyone who cares, Smithwicks is now available at the local supermarket in MA if it carries beer. I go to Ireland in my mind every time I drink it.

This mom and I have more than a few things in common and I really am glad that God put her in my life. She has made a small difference in what I have been praying for - for a long time. A friend who lives close, has a little boy that we can share ups and downs of life with, have similar backgrounds and goals in life and is extremely family oriented and friend oriented. She is one of the most outgoing people I have met in a long time. She never stops networking and never stops trying to find ways to climb this mountain of motherhood challenges. She is fun loving down on the ground playing and duck duck goosing kind of girl. The kind my son really admires. She is something to watch with her own children but also for me, with Matthew. She treats him like her own. She has this magic thing she does at the playground where she goes under the kids (because she is only 5'2") and runs out and they wind up going high. Matthew has now had it with me because he feels like why can't Mommy do what she does. Mommy is 5'11" and if I ran under the swings I would knock myself out, Matthew off the swing. It wouldn't be pretty.

She also has alot of similarities to my best friend K in PA. I've showed her pictures and told her so. She might have alot of similarities, but each one now has a different special place in my heart. My heart is big enough to hold more than one friend in it (that's why I am also always striving for more). I don't have my family here and this is my way of creating that family for myself. And if these two ever met, they would hit it off enormously. Maybe one day.

A Mom Is A Mom In Any Language

I was thinking about what subject that is on my mind can I write about today. There are many issues right now on the forefront that I want to address, but thought I would end my week on a happy note.

Over the last few weeks, I have been having wonderful 5-10 minute conversations with a mom of a little girl in Matthew's class, while waiting for them to get out of school.

This mom is originally from Brazil. She moved to MA in 1999 and has 3 children. The little girl and twin one year old boys.

We haven't had any problems understanding each other, so I just figured that she was proficient in English.

The other day I sent out an email to the few mom's I've met asking if they had any coupons for a local zoo that we went to. The next day at school, the mom mentioned that she couldn't reply to me because her husband wasn't home to type the email. I said surprised "You don't know how to write in English?" She said "Only very little".

I sent her an email the next day through a site I found a few years ago, when joking with my father in Italian. It was a free language translation site. You type in your message and then choose the language you would like it translated into.

So this morning, she replied to me in Portuguese! When I went to the site and put in her message this is how it came up:

a lot obliged by the informacao of the site of traducao. Like this
that I will have a little time I am going to open this site. I like
very of converse with voce! Any day of these would like that voce and
his son came here at home for us visit. Good end of week!
Keeps
Monday.
Kisses.

I am loving this so much....and laughing. Not at her but the way the site translated it for me. I said "I'm a Voce!... Keeps Monday!"

Now what I have learned being the people person I am, is that what is in a person's soul and heart is what I look at when making friends. I am hoping this person will not only have similar values and morals as I, but also hoping they are raising their children that my son will have contact with - with the same beliefs. I don't need anymore friendships in my life where people are superfluous and not real. I want someone that is going to show my son that his family is just as important as any family we love and think is important.

I already know from talking to this woman that she struggled with infertility and now has twins, that her family is far away (Brazil) and she has had to raise her children and face life on her own with her husband and just have the strength to get through every day.

I told her Wow! And I think sometimes PA is far! Brazil, I can't even imagine.

The good note I want to leave on today is this.

When Eric and I were on our honeymoon in Cancun a million years ago, we were eating dinner in this little restaurant. There was a man there from New Zealand and he spoke maybe two words of English. I spoke few Spanish words. Just enough to get me to ask where the bathroom was, thank you, your welcome and andelei andelei to a bus driver who was driving slow.

When we sat next to that man, I'll never forget our wanting to converse. Our trying with him to talk to him, and him to us. All of being frustrated at not being able to express what we wanted to say. He was just a man, sitting at a table, enjoying his vacation from another country, over some drinks. Everyone in Cancun that works there was so wonderful and pleasant that even meeting a stranger next to us at the dinner table was a nice experience, so this lack of conversation was like someone putting on the brakes.

The mom I met from Brazil, is a woman. With the same inside as me, the same blood flowing through her veins to pump her heart, the same lungs to breathe, the same eyes to see and the same heart to break, the same challenges to face being away from her family, facing infertility then caring for twins and a four year old. She is a woman and a mom with the same worries, aches, goals, wants, wishes and dreams, pride for their achievements and basic love for the babies that she carried in her, that she would die for, that she wants only the best for.

I am not going to let language stand in my way of this new friendship. I wish more people would see human beings this way. There would be less wars and more hugs and love.

Remember When Wednesday - Preschool or Baby Memories

I am forcing myself to actually blog this morning.

Matthew is in school. Another wonderful morning of getting up at 6:30 with everything ready the night before really does make a happier mommy and son. Wow! What a difference.

We've only been going now for 3 weeks, but there were just 1 or 2 mornings where if Matthew didn't feel the routine in place...he would get edgy. Routines really still make a difference. Sometimes you get so stuck in your old routine that you forget, hey- it's time to start a new routine.

And then it is just a matter of time before we have it down and then we are all happier.

He really is doing so awesome that I'm in shock. Not that I doubt what an awesome kid he is, but because the problems we were having just a month ago with him not listening as well. His pediatrician mentioned something, but we are still not ready to "label" him. I am reading books, talking to other moms and just testing waters. But in 3 weeks of school with no problems, raving from his teachers to me about how cooperative and sweet he is and him also adhering to changes in his routine at home with stickers and rewards, having an agenda for the day, is really making a big difference.

I always new that socialization was key to life in general so I know that definitely in itself has a huge impact on how he is now handling his little world.

Due to my problems with him last year, I had been dropping him off with the teacher at the outside door and letting him go into the school without me. It was easier for both of us, compared to last year. Although he was also fine last year for the first two months, before the separation problems kicked in.

On Monday morning as I was gathering all of my things I needed to leave the house, he mentioned "Mommy, I wonder on the tables today." I looked at him clueless and looked at my dining room table? He said "No, the table at school." (he had not been verbally curious before school to this point)

I said "Maybe your painting of a tree from last week will be dry and you can bring it home today."

He said "Mommy, You can just come in and see it if you want! That's OK, for a few minutes. Other Mommies come in, you can come in."

Holding back the tears I said "Is that going to be okay with you?"

He said "Yes!"

When we got to the school, he was having so much fun playing in the outside line with his new friends, that when they opened the door he started running with the whole crew toward the door, while I was in the back talking to other moms.

I joked that he is having so much fun that he isn't even going to look back for me and head right into school.

That's when he stopped. In the middle of this huge group of kids and parents, he looked at me and smiled and said "Come on Mommy!"

Tears holding back and so proud, I held his hand into his as we walked down the corridor to his little classroom.

As soon as we entered the room, there was this little felt board of names and he showed me how he takes his name from the out position to the IN position to show he is in class that day.

He then showed me his little cubby where he hung up his coat and his backpack.

Taking me by the hand he showed me some artwork up in the classroom that he did, turned and gave me a hug and a kiss.

And then I went shopping:-) For Halloween stuff:-)

I almost want to say so far this moment is the best age with him, but then yesterday we watched again for the millionth time his baby movies and saw the months surrounding his christening at 4 months.

• The big major activity was bouncy seat or exersaucer, or jumperoo thingy in the doorway with the dogs licking his face and him giggling the sweetest giggle and having the chubbiest most chunkiest wonderful legs and arms - to see him recognizing Daddy cooing at him on the bed and him letting out the biggest smiles and giggling screams of love.
• To him sitting in his highchair and Mommy getting the same screams and joys of giggling while he had his first mashed banana's and was drinking his bottle in his little chubby fists.
• To watching him scream and giggle after every time that puppet on Baby Mozart or Baby Einstein came on. He loved that puppet and would just stare and smile and watch in amazement.

I spent alot of my time those days recording every breath. I am still trying to record every breath because every one is priceless.

Every time I watch those movies I get immediately wishing that he had a sibling, because if they were anything like him than we would be so blessed.

I don't miss the sleeplessness (but I still have days like that). I don't miss changing dirty diapers. I don't miss the cost of diapers.

But somehow with days like today and Monday and watching those video's it's like, nothing else matters. I think I would do it all again in a heartbeat and now I wish that he wasn't turning 5 and that he would be closer in age to his sibling.

Until we figure out what we will do, we will shower him with our whole heart and souls and all of the love in the world.

September and apple pies

It's ironic (well maybe not that ironic) that Matthew's whole week in school this week is themed on apples.

I have always loved September and October with the change of the leaves and a little cooler. Not necessarily the drastic New England weather we have been having lately. One day 50 degrees, the next 70. Yesterday morning it was 58 and today it is supposed to go up to 80.

I love it until all of the leaves fall from the trees. Once it gets bare and grey and bitterly cold, I hibernate. I don't want to, but I am a very thin person and living on the lake just adds to that frozen feeling in my bones. I don't want to get out from under the covers and get undressed to take a shower!!?!?!?!? It's like sending all of the wrong messages to my brain and my body. My brain is saying take one, but my body is so frozen that it takes over sometimes how well I function when I'm cold.

One thing though that I have always loved about September is apple pies. I started making them about 15 years ago, when this wonderful woman named Janet at a company I worked at, gave me an interesting recipe for Crazy Crust Apple Pie. It has no top crust, just the apples and a combination of sugar and other ingredients that you melt on the stove and then pour it on the apples and then bake. After that I was hooked.

I started becoming addicted to making all kinds of apple pies. I was telling Matthew yesterday that our neighbor Pa Man, used to love when I would give him a pie and then (New England thing) he would melt cheese on it? I never heard of that but he loved my pies so I was happy.

Yesterday, in school Matthew's class sang a song called "My Mother is a Baker". So far he has learned a Bubblegum song, an Alligator song and a song about turtles. I have to get the words to these songs so I can sing them with him.

I had taken my two and a half hours yesterday to do some much needed food shopping and it was so awesome to just walk through the store with my mind unclouded, with a list in my hand and even to have ideas pop into my head. That never happens when Matthew is with me because he is always putting the ideas into my head for me.

In the afternoon I mentioned to him that we could go to a farm and maybe get some apples to bake a pie. We went and took some pictures and he had fun. He even ate a whole red apple on the way home. Usually he will only eat the Granny Smith, so I was impressed.

He is constantly asking for snacks anymore, so while he was eating the apple he mentioned "Maybe when we get home we eat the apple pie too!" I told him with peeling and making the pie could take some time and that we could look forward to it for desert after his pork chops for dinner.

He replied "Mommy, Spartacus - When he eats candy he gets tired, When he eats an apple he have more energy!!" (first of all I am happy that he finally got this message even though I never cared for the show he is mentioning - Lazy Town)

I was so surprised to hear him saying that after all of these years (I know only 4) of denying anything that we want him to eat because it is good for him.

I think school is having an awesome affect on him regarding trying new things, maybe seeing other kids eating healthy snacks is helping him.

Matthew helped me bake our apple pie and it came out unbelievable!

Here's to more baking and fall weather!

Matthew's funny side & Pre-school Progress Day 2

I haven't been posting some of Matthew's comments lately and there is alot I know that I am forgetting, so before I forget anymore here is just a sample of our recent conversations.

1. Daddy: I have an earache. Matthew: I have a toot ache. (at first confused with tooth, but realized due to his laughing he means toot which in our house means to leave gas)
2. Matthew and Mommy were playing with his superhero's. Being the nice host that he is, Matthew wanted to introduce Superman to Red Power Ranger. Mommy: Do we call him Red for short? Matthew: No he is tall Mommy!
3. Matthew made a beautiful creation in school today using construction paper, feathers, foam hearts and a ruby jewel thing (for lack of correct term). He made this for Mommy and when we came in the house the ruby was missing. I gasped stating "Oh No!! Mommy most have lost the ruby in the car or on the way to the house!!!" Matthew said "That's OK Mom!!! You still have the heart."
4. Driving in the car, listening to my blinker Matthew WHISPERED WHILE CUPPING HIS EAR that HE HEARD THE TICKING OF HIS SPIDERMAN CLOCK IN HIS BEDROOM. I mentioned that it was my blinker and that we were too far away from home to hear his clock, but he was adamant and so I gave in.
5. The other day he ran into Grammy R's house next door, like he always does as soon as she comes home from anywhere. He told her that his mom needed the jimmies and sprinkles that she had out on the counter. When I finally caught up with him, I mentioned that Mommy has all of that with my baking stuff. R thought maybe he was trying to tell me, he wants me to bake.
6. While listening to Mommy's new love (www.pandora.com) a Michael Buble station that will also play music similar in taste as Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra came on. Matthew has believed that Frank is Grandpa since he was 22 months old. It was Christmas time and we had a Christmas music channel on that played all day long. The first Frank Sinatra Christmas song that came on, Matthew in his high chair yelled out "GRANDPA!!!!!". From that moment on until now, he still believes Frank is Grandpa. I just agree with him so not to confuse him. Today Michael Buble was singing. Then Nat King Cole. Then Frank singing something about blue birds or butterflies? Matthew said "There's Grandpa!" I will always say "He didn't tell Mommy he was making a movie, doing that record, being on that radio station." The next song was Michael Buble again doing "I've Got You Under My Skin". Matthew said "Hey!! That's Micheal Buble!!!". I just said "That impostor of Grandpa's"...
7. Last week while out on my front porch Matthew out of the clear blue mentioned Grandma K. We were talking about flowers at the time and he mentioned "If you want to be like Grandma, you have to drink lots of ginger-ale, water and milk!!"
8. Matthew: Mom, What kind of house does Grammy R have? Mommy: Green one Matthew: Not what color, what kind?
9. Matthew: Mom, What kind of walls do we have? Mommy: Yellow Matthew: Not what color, what kind? Mommy: Plaster
10. Matthew: Mom, How does the milk get to the store from the cow? Mommy told him about the farmer having big buckets of milk from the cows that the men come and get that work in that place we just passed and then they sell it to the supermarkets where we buy it.

PreSchool Progress:

Well I am proud and a little nervous I am going to jinx myself, to report that we got our first little note today from Matthew's teacher. I had mentioned to her about the problems we faced last year and my apprehension to confuse him walking into the school with him and his current temperament with discipline from any adult. The note was hand written on pretty lined paper with an apple printed on it and it said:

Dear Mrs. MatthewsMom:

Matthew has had a fantastic 2 days at school!

He's following all directions and being very nice to his friends!!

Mrs. .....

I know I am enjoying every minute of it. He is doing so awesome. I know it is only the beginning of the second week, but I think I have a good feeling about it this time. fingers crossed....

The First Day Of Pre-School

Well, here it is today is the day. It is now 9:42 am and he is in school...yeah!!!!!!

Last week I started noticing signs that maybe this year will be different. Maybe he just wasn't ready to let me go last year, but now he is. Matthew has been going through the last week or so of being more interested in what time it is. He'll say to Eric "Daddy, What time is it? You're going to be late for work" (not really worried that Daddy will oversleep, just that he won't get up with him to get the day rolling). Last Friday out of the blue he said "Daddy, What time is it? You're going to be late for work and Am I GOING TO BE LATE FOR SCHOOL?" I thought Eric heard him but he didn't. I did....and the funny thing is he wouldn't be starting for another week, but yet he knew inside him that the time was coming and that he didn't want to be late when it did.

Yesterday was orientation for an hour in the morning with parents and children. We saw some familiar faces (including a little girl he had a little crush on last year at the other school) and he also made a new friend and they had their own little conversation going on at the Lego table. Eric told me it was like listening to two little old men. Matthew asked the little boy his name and told him his. The little boy mentioned that he had the Lego's at home. He then mentioned that he also went to the school Matthew went to last year, though in a different class. He then stated that he is now a big boy though going to the big school. Matthew agreed with him and said "Me too!"

I was busy filling out paperwork and talking to the teacher telling her of my apprehension this year of getting involved early on in the classroom. I don't want to bring up last years issue of confusion for him of now Mommy's here and next she's not. I want to make sure that he is comfortable first to the transition before I throw myself in there. Although I already miss not being involved. I wanted to sign up for everything and volunteer but I will wait.

This morning we woke up at 6:15 and I made him French Toast (I know Eric is impressed due to my body liking and needing my sleep). After breakfast we got dressed and you would have thought he was going to just run to school. He was so happy and excited to wear his new backpack, his new sneakers, to see his new friends. I video taped him and said "What are you going to do today in school? " He said "Learn". I was waiting for the playground to come out, but that is what he said first, so I was very impressed.

Before heading into the car, we proudly showed off his pre-school moment to our wonderful neighbors (Grammy R and Pa Man) who basically see every milestone in his little life on a daily basis.

He mentioned "ONLY 4 MORE WEEKS TIL' I RIDE THE BUS!!!!". I corrected him to two years, but couldn't keep down my excitement of his excitement.

I told him you have your Lightening McQueen Backpack and your Mommy is Lightening McQueen in our red car! "How Many Kids Get To Do That?" He looked up at me and said "One!!"

As we pulled off of our street, (for some unknown reason) he asked me why didn't Uncle P make American Idol?

I was trying to explain the amount of people to him and that in Philadelphia there were as many people there as the people in the stands at a recent Pawtucket Red Sox game we went to. I told him all of those people tried out too and that was only one city in the whole country. I said there was other big cities too. I mentioned San Diego and he said"Oh Yeah, I know". I said "You know San Diego?" He said "Yeah....remember the giraffe in Madagascar says they are going to the San Diego Zoo and then they find a rock on the beach but it is hard and not a soft one and that is how they know they are in the wild.." I'm astonished by what his little brain retains and comes out at the right moments.

He amazes me every day.

Then we were at his school.

Daddy had followed us there before heading to work.

We took him by the hand to the teachers waiting outside.

Yesterday they mentioned where the drop off area would be and that if we wanted to not go in as to not confuse him, that it was ok.

I took him in through the little door and the teacher looked at me and said "Well, if you want I can take him down to the class".

I hesitated for a moment because it looked like all of the other mom's were going down to escort them, but then Matthew looked up at me and held his arms out and said "Bye Mom!!!!"

So I gave him a tight hug and then walked out and said Have A Good Time In School!!

It took me awhile before finally leaving the parking lot, because I felt like Did I do the right thing?

Maybe I should be in there?

What if all the other mom's Stay and I didn't?

But I need my haircut again and yesterday Matthew told me "I should get it done while he is in school".

Another sign he was ready.

So off I went with my coupon for a $10.99 hair cut. I should have known it was too good to be true. I drove all of the way out of the way to save the money to get there and tell me they would charge another six dollars to blow dry and style and not including tip. I am trying to spread out the money a little now (tuition, hair, mom's night out, bills etc) so I declined and then drove all the way home. I am going to have to be more prepared and make a few phone calls first.

I wanted to have it done by now because Mommy has a Mom's Night Out tomorrow night and I am really looking forward to it. I really have some celebrating to do with my mom friends to give us a pat on the back for making it this far and for our little ones starting pre-school!!

Back to the real world....Matthew's world

OK...now that my distraction with American Idol is over (my cousin didn't make the audition either), it is now time for me to get back to Matthew's world.

This morning we are heading out for a wonderful lead test that I have been dreading taking him to. I thought it would be them poking a needle in his arm like they do for adults when they give blood, but Eric told me that my sister in law just had it done for her son, and they only prick the finger.

That, Mommy can handle with a 4 and a half year old little boy that in no way would have sat still long enough to endure the pain of having a needle in his arm.

So, I just broke the news to him and at first he was resistant but after I explained it all to him gently and mentioned we would then go to lunch and clothes shopping for him for school, he was excited. More excited about lunch than the shopping, but I haven't started yet so I have to start sometime. He still fits into alot of his shirts from last year so I am OK in that department. I mostly just need some new jeans for him, sneakers and maybe a fall jacket to get us started.

I can't believe that one week from Thursday, he will be starting preschool and this time it really is the last week before I hand him over to the world for the next 14 years of his life (Pre-K and K included).

I am hugging him tighter this morning.

I didn't think that I would feel this overwhelming emotion about it, due to my emotions are mostly concerned with him actually going and not having separation anxiety again.

But Mommy now has the separation anxiety and it we have one week left just us, to enjoy just us...sniff....sniff...

He is my world and my love and I hope that the world is good to him.

I have so many mommy fears that I don't want him exposed to in the real world, but I can't do anything about it.

He will now know that teachers will be the one to guide him with his parents in life and be exposed to other children and what there little lives have been exposed to.

It is the beginning of realizing that there is a war going on, that some people are bad in this world and some are good.

He will learn more beyond what we let him see.

I don't want that to happen!

I want to keep him in a safety bubble.

One that he can still enjoy life, but yet the world won't hurt him.

I only pray that we as parents will have the strength, the guidance, the love and support, the wisdom, the family morals to get him through life to turn into the remarkable, bright and loving man he will be, healthy and happy and well balanced with a little romanticism and a little manly toughness .

Head Spinning Thursday- Preschool, The Mall & Missing My Girlie Side

I didn't think I would be able to blog today!!

I am only going to have a second to blog. Matthew fell asleep today on the way home from the mall, but he just woke up as he heard the typing from all the way upstairs. hehe

We had an appointment today with a woman from a local preschool. We were concerned about some of his mixed consonant sounds. I was sure that once he is in school around kids all day, that it was something he would outgrow. According to the woman, she agrees. She said it is appropriate to his age and that she had no problem understanding him. If come September or October, we want to have him re-evaluated, we are more than welcome to at that time. I'm not concerned. I had a lisp in first grade that I had to have help with. He (at this point) doesn't have a lisp, but more mispronouncing words...like fray for play, or t's instead of a hard C or K like tar instead of car or tat instead of cat. I am thankful that he was seen anyway though, just to ease our minds. He was accepted at that preschool for 3 mornings starting in the fall....yeah!!!

When we left the school, he wanted to go to the mall and Mommy didn't fight him because I needed something nice and up to date to wear to my niece's Holy Communion. He promised me he would be good.

Last time I took him to this 3 story mall was before Christmas. He pulled a tantrum on me about not wanting to leave and threw himself in front of my legs as I was coming off of an escalator. Not only did I almost fall on him, but older people sitting on a bench were looking at me like don't I know how to keep my son under control. I'm sure they weren't thinking that, but mom's out there, you know the look I mean. Just when you are having a really hard time, they are looking at you and not smiling either and they always seem to be in the same place as you are when you are having a bad moment.

So my heart was panicking before we even got to the mall today remembering our last trip. I didn't remind him of it, just told him that he needed to listen to me, stay out from under all the clothing racks and that we would visit the puppies, have lunch and go on his rides (money operated ride-on toys in food court) and then come home and pack for PA.

He was doing good, considering Mommy hasn't shopped for herself in a mall in probably a year. I usually will go to TJMaxx and just buy the one thing I need in my size and hope and pray it fits when I get home. I just never make the time to go clothes shopping for myself when Eric gets home at night or on the weekends. That's my fault. I could take off for an hour or two to specifically update my yucky wardrobe, but I'm usually cleaning or doing something else. I need to make an effort and promise Eric I won't break the bank.

I think I've saved him alot of money over the last 4 years on my wardrobe alone. It's something when you aren't headed out to the office everyday, your life has become sweats, jeans and sneakers. I wore pantyhose on Easter and Matthew couldn't get over them. He had never seen them on me before. I used to have a million pairs in my drawers and a million skirts and girlie things too but I have become so used to dressing quickly and without effort I have to re-learn my girlie side again. Not that I'll be wearing pantyhose to the park, but maybe a nice pink pair of Capri's with my toe nails painted pink and some pink earrings. Can you tell I'm missing my pink side?

Yesterday's blog was for my husband (obviously). I thought he would get a kick out of it and it might warm his heart. He said "It was good, Although I didn't get the prince, princess and the king part".....huh???? I told him that is also my girlie side...the little girl in me who never wants to give up the fairytale if even if it is just in my head while I'm blogging. I wanted him to know that was literally how I saw our meeting. That I still am that little girl who dreamed of walking down the aisle in her white gown...even though it already happened. I guess it is just another part of being a girl that you don't lose.

Well, we have mounds of packing to do, so you might not hear from me for a few days. All 2 of you....and who knows maybe you might.

Aren't you glad I only had a second today to blog?

HAPPY MARCH EVERONE!

Just thought I would take the time to catch up on my blogging again for the purpose of Matthew. I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I typed about him:-) This year is going by fast now.

I am so happy though that March is here and that next week we will be setting our clocks ahead. So happy to have one more hour of daylight and that much closer to warm weather...YEAH!

When I was in PA last week, Matthew and Daddy built the snowman in the picture I uploaded today. As you can see it was a little more of the leaning tower of snowman by the time I took the pic, ironically 2 hours later it was history. He was so bummed out, because last year the snowman they built had more leaves than snow in it and that lasted only 2 hours total! This one at least lasted a few days longer:-)

We thought we would be getting snow though the following day and assured him, don't worry we'll rebuild him again. Guess what! No snow and yesterday 50 degrees....now he has spring fever like Mommy and I think he has temporarily forgotten about his friend. Yesterday we were driving back from a playground and in the sky the clouds were awesome with the sun shining through the back of them outling white with the middles more darker...not knowing he knew this he says...Wow Mom!!! Look Rain Clouds!!! LOL

I'm like...you are so smart! It's awesome to me to see that sponge in him taking everything in and also finally being able to share it back with what he is retaining. Still won't get over his stubborness though to share the abc's or count with me...Anyway, though the other night I was giving him dinner and I was in a decent mood singing out (for some reason?) uno, dos, thres, quatro (like beginning of Santana song) when I gave him his plate.....he then said "CINCO!".... You could have picked me up off of the floor.

I'm like what else do you know from Dora/Diego or Seseme Street that you aren't sharing????

Let's do the abc's....typical, NO! I don't know how to get it out of him! I think I've mentioned in the past that he knows them and sometimes sings them, or sometimes counts...but it's been so long now that I also know that by not practicing them is not helping the matter.

I've tried doing counting or books with him to write his letters and after just doing one word or a few letters, he literally said to me one day "Mom, I need a nap, this making me tired"!!!!!!

HE'S only 4!!!! Part of me feels like, he is only 4 give him time...the other part of me is HE'S ALMOST 5 AND OTHER 4 YEAR OLDS AND 3 YEAR OLDS ARE OUT THERE DOING IT NO PROBLEM, why can't I get him to co-operate with me? I'm getting off track from what I was posting about today though.

I just wanted to say that this morning, when he woke up he looked out our bedroom window at the lake and said, "It's spring!! but the lake has ice? but the grass a little green?" Like he was somehow grasping the two seasons coming together and how beautiful it all looked and to see that excitement in his eyes and in his voice, was enough to get me through the next few weeks. It's going to be so much fun sharing this year with him.

We are now signing him up for two six week sessions at a nearby town for Sundays and Friday's though that offer swimming lessons and a 123 pre-school program (one hour long). Just to get him used to the setting again, having friends in his life and also for the swimming because we live on a lake and it is one major safety issue my husband and I agree on.

Well, I better get off now or I'll never stop....keep your eyes open though because I just uploaded some more pics from today that will have everyone laughing:-) Will probably get to it later tonight:-) LOL

February's almost over

Well, with the month almost done I thought I should probably try to type in one more blog before month's end. I will be heading to my hometown this weekend for the mass for my mom, so I will be a little distracted.

I will be glad when March is here! Spring!!! Yeah!!! (hopefully) This winter even though the weather has been mild, has been unberably long to me. I think because Matthew didn't do well with preschool and our descision to keep him home til next fall, everyday is longer than normal. We are really missing the mom and baby connections of socializing in a school setting, of just having a routine everyday or even a few days a week keeps you going. When you don't have that every day becomes this long day of trying to keep him entertained. And that's hard. I think alot of moms in my neighborhood work, because I don't see anyone out there in the winter time, so if you don't make those connections when the weather is nice, you're in trouble in your immediate neighborhood.

We had all wonderful plans to get him involved in classes anyway to keep him active and socialized, but financially it isn't an option right now. I do have him signed up for a free preschool age craft time next week at the library, but it is only an hour. It is hard juggling staying at home for the benefit of being there for your child vs. working full time so you can afford for them to have advantages in life. We don't know how other parents do it with more than one child or even with both working. We give them credit because we know with just one child, how hard it is and he is only 4! And we know that before long, I will have to rejoin the "paying" workforce because it's a necessity. We just don't see how though before he starts full time in school in kindergarten or first grade that we could afford daycare to make that happen, we still don't even have a babysitter:-)

On a happier note, I really want to add something he said so funny last week to my blog. More so I don't forget someday. Last Thursday (day after valentine's day) I asked him for my usual kiss (one of many I ask for in a day) and he pointed his finger at me waving it and saying "no, no, no mommy it's not valentine's day no more"!!!!! I am still in shock over this absolute use of manpower to Mommy!! First of all, my husband denies saying anything to him to prompt it! Secondly he is with me every second of the day, how did this little "man" in him come out??? Up to that day for every day of his life, he never said anything to me and always gladly kissed Mommy when asked! I don't think I'll ever get over it:-)