He's just so darn sweet.

So, this guy at work is always telling these really funny stories about his kids; honest to goodness, other people who have never met these children find them hilarious, funny stories. Usually, when someone tells you a funny story about their kid it may be down right hysterical to the story teller, but to the audience it may only be mildly amusing at best. Funny stories about children are really only funny if a) they're actually really funny (which are few and far between) or b) you're closely related to the subject child. I'm not saying that people shouldn't tell their funny stories; I think it's great that people enjoy their children so much and wish to share their joy. I'm all for it; spread the love!

Wade, however, is not at all funny. I mean, he has his moments of course. Personally, I think he's a hoot a minute, but I'm also well aware that to other people his precociousness is really just cute at best. But what Wade really is is nothing that I can tell stories about at the office; it just doesn't translate into a quick 5-minute show-stopping knee-slapper. What Wade really is, is just the sweetest, most loving boy you could ever meet.

Wade's manner's surpass that of many adults. He rarely forgets to use his "please's" and "thank-you's" and when he does a simple look of mild disapproval from me quickly reminds him. He will immediately apologize for his poor manners and quickly place the appropriate kind word into his re-worked sentence.

When Wade makes a mistake he immediately apologizes full-heartedly, begs forgiveness and explains that it was an accident or that it was simply a mistake on his part.

Wade will stop in the middle of playing to let his Daddy or I know that he loves us. He will give us a hug, a kiss on the cheek and sweetly say; I love you, Momma/Daddy and then he will resume play.

He is best friends with everyone and he will tell you that you are his best friend. I'm fairly certain that he means it too.

Wade generally has a smile for everyone. Occasionally he'll get bit by the shy bug, but for the most part he's incredibly congenial, says "hi!" to pretty much everyone that we have more than a moment of contact with and starts conversation with them. He's always been like this. When he was just 4 months old I would put him in his Snuggli, facing me, to go grocery shopping. He would strain to turn around and smile at everyone walking down the aisle. I finally had to stop taking him to the grocery store with me because a simple trip would end up taking us an hour or more because so many people would stop to ooo and ahh over this adorable little boy; which of course only encouraged him.

Wade is very cognizant of other people's feelings. I recently noticed, while he and a large group of other children were playing in a bounce house, how much he was truly concerned with the other kid's well-being. While the other children were bouncing around aimlessly, flying into one another, knocking each other down (the fun of a bounce house) without a thought as to whether or not they may be hurting the others; Wade would wait patiently minding the children around him and being careful as to not cause any undue pain if he could help it. At one point, after waiting patiently a good 15 or so minutes for all the kids to clear off the bottom of the slide so that he too could slide down, he finally started down only for a little girl to jump on the bottom of the slide at that exact moment. Wade was unable to stop himself and slid right on top of the girl's hair (ouch). Wade spent quite some time with her apologizing and trying to make sure that she was okay; he was truly concerned. I watched him with a lot of pride. I was so proud that at 3 years old Wade had such high regard for another's feelings. Granted, a little bit of me wished that he would just jump around, crazily bumping into other children with only mild regard for them and just thoroughly enjoy himself. But, most of me was truly impressed with his incredibly sweet behavior.

So, that's my son. He's not necessarily funny but he is honestly one of the nicest, most caring little boys you'll ever have the pleasure of knowing. That is unless you happened to be witness to Father's Day 2010 at Comerica Park... but that's another story for another day.

Bun In the Oven Update: She's busy. She really moves around a lot. She is doing well, growing at the right speed and all that good stuff. She does, however, cause me lots of aches and pains. I've now developed an occasional limp due to painful, stretching ligaments in my left-hip (so now I waddle and limp - sexy). There is a spot in the middle of my back that hurts like the dickens everyday starting at 3pm. No matter what I eat for lunch, it gives me heartburn. My legs and ankles swell up to twice their size toward the end of most evenings. I can't stay awake most nights past 9pm. I'm short-tempered and irritable. I wish more than anything that human gestation was only 5.5 months long and I was done with this. I do not wish, however, for her to enter this world early. I'm in it for the long haul and she had better be too. I've known too many friends recently who have had to welcome their bundles too early and have had worries that new parents shouldn't have. So, although I complain (and I mostly kid), I would rather feel like this every second of every waking moment than to have her be anything other than perfectly healthy sometime after November 18th. And, according to the couple of swift kicks to the belly I just received, I'd say she agrees!

Here's to November 19th and the bottle of wine that awaits me!

Cheers.

Fleeting Moments

I hadn't realized until just recently how long it had been since I wrote anything here. It is certainly not for lack of anything happening. In fact, it's more likely due to the sheer volume of things that seem to be always going on. This summer has been absurdly busy and being plagued by pregnancy induced exhaustion does not help in the least. I remember being tired when I was pregnant with Wade, but I don't remember being this tired. Of course, when I was pregnant with Wade I wasn't also trying to keep up with a 3.5 year old; I was merely working and going to school full time; piece of cake in comparison! Anyway, enough of me and on to the Master of the House, Wade. There is so much to tell. Where does one start? I think I'll start with something that hit me hard as a bag of bricks recently; how fleeting the moments really are.

Wade has been a challenge to potty train. Let me repeat. A challenge. He has had absolutely no interest in potty training. I, on the other hand, have been ready for it for about 2 years now. Before even broaching the subject with Wade I had read 3 books on the subject and read countless websites regarding the different processes and schools of thought. I had spoken to multiple mothers who had blazed the potty training trail before me. I was armed with knowledge and lots of it. Unfortunately, and completely unknown to me, I was also armed with an incredibly disinterested and stubborn little boy. The boy had no interest in using the toilet. I tried everything; floating targets, bribery, star calendars, peer pressure (I can only hope and pray that he is that resilient to peer pressure later in his life because I pushed that one pretty hard), I used Sweet Juniper's drawings (he was upset because the pooping characters looked upset - I thought for sure Caillou pooping would do the trick), I tried dropping the subject for months at a time hoping that revisiting the subject at a later date would be met with more interest. Nope. Nothing. Nada. He was completely resilient to everything. It was maddening. And you know, a 3 year old's poop is not unlike that of an adults; it smells just as bad and there seems to be just as much of it. It's really and truly disgusting. I had had it.

So, just as I was starting to wonder how I would even be able to enroll him in any sort of preschool the unthinkable happened. He asked to use the bathroom! I was shocked but calmly escorted him to the bathroom where he sat down and actually peed in the toilet. I was overjoyed. I screamed. I jumped up and down. I gave high-fives. I had tears of utter happiness fill my eyes. I was ridiculously happy for what was probably an ounce of pee in the toilet; but, it was true happiness, real pride and it was very exciting. My son had just peed in the toilet.

About a half hour later I was lying in bed silently smiling to myself and our potty training success when it hit me. My son had just peed in the toilet. My baby boy had just peed in the toilet. My baby boy wasn't a baby anymore. My perfect, little baby boy was on his way to growing up. Oh my god... he's 3.5 years old and he's peeing in the toilet. Where did the time go? How do I slow it down? I'm not ready for this. I started to cry. The time has just flown by and I haven't been paying close enough attention. It wasn't that long ago that Wade was just this tiny, well, okay, he was never tiny... but he was a baby. He slept in my arms and he cooed and smiled at me with that big beautiful toothless smile. Now he's too busy to cuddle, he talks in full sentences (often back-talks in full sentences) and that still beautiful smile is full of teeth that need to be brushed regularly.

I realized that I have to remember to write this all down again because I'm going to forget these moments and I don't ever want to forget them. These are the moments that life is made of. These are the moments that really count. These are the moments that are going to make Wade the man he will eventually become. These are truly just the fleetingest of moments.

So, consider that realization my current vow to keep up on the posts. If nothing else, I need to write them for posterity's sake.

What I'm listening to right now: "When My Time Comes" - Dawes

Cheers!

Throw it to me!

Wade, the little darling, is a sport's junkie. He loves football, baseball, hockey, soccer... Give him a ball, any ball, and the boy is happy, happy, happy. This is what we spend most of our free time doing; throwing, catching, chasing balls. He even brings his menagerie of balls along with us on walks. I'll ask him if he wants to go to the park or the store and he excitedly answers "yes!", starts collecting all of his balls from the yard, hurriedly puts them in his wagon and then climbs in for the ball-accompanied journey to wherever it is we're headed.

Aaron, being a sport's fan himself, is of course thrilled by Wade's love of sports (or at least the love for the balls of the sports). So, needless to say, a toddler t-ball set was one of the first purchases this spring. Wade took to it like a fish to water. Although he's right-handed, he prefers to hit left-handed. (Hey major league baseball scouts, we've got a switch-hitter on our hands!) Wade quickly kicked away the 't' and prefers to have the ball thrown to him. "Throw it to me!, Throw it to me!" is heard repeatedly echoing through our tiny little backyard. He swings and hits that blow-up baseball with his blow-up bat with all the fury and power of a major league hitter. It's a sight to behold. Watch out Derek Jeter, Wade Weakley is close on your heels.

Of course, we all know what it would mean if Wade plays baseball... constant waterworks. I'd probably have to be institutionalized.

I'd love to show you a picture of our little slugger; however, Wade's precious little hands got a hold of our camera and, well, now I don't have a camera. So, use your imagination and picture this:

It's a perfect night. There's not a single cloud in the sky. It's 70 degrees. The stadium lights (or garage spot-light, whatever) shines brightly upon the master of the sport as he steps up to the plate (er... 't'). Confidence exudes from his body. You can see it in his eye. He knows he's the champ. His physical stature is unassuming: short, round, large head. But, his presence is like that of a Greek God. He steps up to the plate ('t'), a hush falls over the crowd (mom and dad), a twinkle dances in his eye and WHACK (phush) the bat penetrates the ball. Up! Up! Up! The ball dances in the stadium lights (garage spot-light) as if it knows it's just been hit by the best damn player in the history of baseball. The crowd (mom and dad) roars as the ball flies further and further over the stadium wall (porch). Oh Man! That ball is outta here! Wade casually drops his bat and begins his victory lap around the bases (cracks in the driveway). It's a beautiful night for baseball.


Cheers!

Happy Easter!

It was a beautiful Easter Sunday; perfect weather, warm sand, good food and family. And doesn't the Master look handsome?



Aunt Kate and Uncle Dan ~ you were much missed.

Oh, so white-trashy

But, what a great photo.

"There's No Crying In Baseball!!"

Alas, if you are me, there is... and lots of it. It's ridiculous, I know.

I'm in love with the nostalgia and the romance of baseball and it often makes me cry. I cried every time Kenny Rogers got up to pitch after the Tigers-Yankees play-off game a couple of years ago (and I mean every time - cried like a baby). It was exhausting. I'm almost thankful that The Gambler has retired... gives my tear-ducts a much needed rest. Then, along comes Mitch Albom and Mike Ilitch (didn't see that one coming) and there go the water works: http://www.freep.com/article/20090405/COL01/904050437/1082/Detroit+Three+find+hope+in+centerfield

Very cool, Mr. Ilitch.

Thanks also to Mr. Frank DeFord who makes me cry about baseball (and nearly every other sport) every time he opens his mouth (Note: never just read Frank DeFord. You have to listen to him - so click on the Listen Now button): http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102837901

"Cheers and go Tigers!!" **she mumbled through tears and tissues...**

Random Updates

Lola and I are obedience school drop-outs: After leaving class a couple of weeks ago sobbing and swearing that I would give Lola away the following day, it was determined, in the light of the next day, that obedience classes were quite obviously not helping. We still have Lola and after making some minor adjustments to how I work with her she's starting to see things my way. She's still a big obnoxious puppy, but she's my big obnoxious puppy. The future is much brighter now.

Wade loves the zoo: Aaron has been anxiously waiting to take Wade to the zoo all winter. So, this past Saturday we packed up Wade's red Roadmaster wagon and headed out. Each animal was greeted with the excitement only a two-year old can muster and an "Oooooooooo, whas dat?" Precious. Although we had the wagon, Wade insisted on walking the entire zoo. We were there 3 hours and what I can only assume was 1,000,000 Wade steps; he was a trooper the entire time and showed no signs of slowing down. We were in the car approximately 2.2 seconds and Wade was passed out cold. Here are a couple pictures of our day:


One of my favorite parts of the day was when we sat down to eat our food... Wade for no apparent reason decided that he would eat his lunch at a picnic table by himself about 30 feet away. He sat there happy as a clam; eating and talking to himself. Odd child.


I have Exploding Head Syndrome: I know! Terrifying, right? Thankfully, its name in no way reflects an actual symptom. I have been plagued with this for many years and just assumed I was crazy... My good friend Josh has assured me that I am indeed still crazy, but this simply isn't the cause. It's pretty unfascinating other than its name. I can't wait to tell everyone that I meet that I have Exploding Head Syndrome!!