Feels Like the First Time

The first time we were sleep-deprived by our children, that is. We've been woken up in the middle of the night by one or both boys for three long weeks now. They usually don't cry - they just appear standing next to the bed quietly or with a whine of "hug, hug". Graeme will go back to sleep almost immediately, but Liam needs to be held for a few minutes or wants one of us to sit next to his bed.

I think it's a combination of their second molars coming in and the normally desired effects of potty training, meaning perhaps they are becoming sensitive to the need to pee even in their sleep, so they're waking up. It's hard to determine what is causing the boys to wake up without them telling us anything. We've asked if they are hurting, but get a negative response. Sean and I have decided to ask whoever wakes up tonight if he wants medicine (maybe he'll respond if it's worded this way) or if he wants to pee (bladder sensitivity). We'll see what happens. At this rate, I may be removing the night diapers sooner than I planned and teaching them to go to the bathroom and then back to bed. Wish me luck on that one!

On the potty training front, Graeme is pretty much completely trained. Liam has resisted pooping in the toilet lately, though he did it early on during the first few days of training. He finally pooped in the big toilet yesterday, but then pooped on the floor an hour later while clearly having some GI issues. It was not pretty. Liam sometimes still has pee accidents too, but I think it may be due to tiredness. However, both boys have remained accident-free while in public, though, for which I am grateful. I'm pleased with their progress. Now if they'll just sleep....

Random cute or funny things from the past week:

When Graeme was putting on new pajamas with fitted cuffs on the ankles, his feet got stuck inside the ribbing. He asked very seriously, "Where are my feet?", as though they disappeared for good.

On our way out of the neighborhood to go to My Gym yesterday, three domestic helpers were walking veeerrrry slowly across the neighborhood entrance way. Usually when I see people taking their sweet time (yes, I'm southern), I will mutter something under my breath like, "Does anyone over here know what hustle means?". However, I said nothing this time. Instead, without any prompting from me, Liam said, "Hey ladies, watch out!".

When we got to My Gym, Graeme ran excitedly through the hallways to get to the gym. Once at the door, I opened it, and he yelled, "I'm here, I'm here!" while running toward the warm-up circle. Everyone looked up and laughed. Throughout the class he loudly volunteered for every demonstration. Now that the boys will be 2 & 1/2 in two weeks, they'll be moving up to the 2 & 1/2 to 3 & 1/2 group. I'm sure they will hold their own with the older kids, between Graeme's confidence and Liam's physical skills.

Wednesday was a holiday here, so Sean was home and we were all worn out and grumpy from the long night before. We decided to go to the Air Force Museum in the afternoon to get out of the house, but when we got there it was closed, of course, because it was a holiday - it's hard to think sometimes when you're exhausted. Since we had promised the boys that they would see planes, we headed to the airport. We viewed a plane pulling away from its gate, rode the monorail train between two of the terminals, played in a children's play area, stood transfixed in front of a small fountain with jumping water, and then went to McDonald's for dinner because the good child-friendly restaurants are past security. The boys got their first Happy Meals, which have changed in some ways (you can choose apple slices on the side), and not in others (the toy was a Millennium Falcon or Obi-Wan's Jedi Starfighter). I think those were the toys back in the early 80s when I was a kid. During the meal, Sean looked at Graeme, who was eating his cheeseburger, and made a remark about how he was just feeding the boys baby food with a spoon, and now they're eating burgers with two hands like little adults. Time, it goes so fast when you're having fun...

Tonight at dinner, Sean asked Graeme a question, and in answer, Graeme said "Thewheelsonthebusgoroundandroundallthroughthetown" very quickly with a straight face. Sean and I laughed for a solid minute.

And finally, Sean was putting the boys to bed tonight, and Liam didn't want to stay in his bed. Sean laid down beside Liam to block him from getting out, and Liam immediately said, "Get out of my bed NOW", in his sweet little voice but with a commanding tone.

Ah yes, those are my boys! They wear me out, but they're worth it.