One Year

Lois Faye Hanley Martin

December 21, 1940 - January 3, 2012

To the world you may of just been somebody, but to all of us you were the world.

I'd like to welcome -

Mike to the blogging world! In his debut performance he blows our socks off!

Night after night I have sat on my couch across from him in the living room wondering what in the world he could be doing on his blackberry / computer / iPhone that steals so much of his attention for hours on end. 

Then the other night he came to show me.  "I want to see that again!" I said laughing.  He definitely captured the insanity that is the two little boys that live on OK drive.

Without further ado...the premiere of Super Kids the movie.  Sure to be a blockbuster.

Interviewing Replacements

This morning Cavin became upset with me because I could not (poof!) create a pink hat out of thin air for him to wear today.  So he told me ever so directly and demanding that he wanted a new mommy.  At first I chucked.  We are used to Cavin's expression of how he's mad at us..."I'm going to throw you in the garbage!" or our current favorite - "I'm going to put you in traffic!"

"Really?" I said.  "And why is that?"

"Because I don't like you." he replied.

The morning went on and when he didn't get his way or I said for the 45th time that he could not have a piece of chocolate he announced his decision to replace me.  I have to admit my feelings were a bit hurt but I brushed it off with the excuse that he's 3 and, well, there were times in my past when I told my mother that I hated her and she was ruining my life.  So this isn't entirely out of the realm of normal.

Once we were in the car he divulged his plan of obtaining his new mommy.  He told me that I was to never come back and just WHO would replace me.  I'm a better mommy than her! I thought defensively.  Then quickly shaking my head realizing that 1) No I'm not.  I maybe be a better mommy to Cavin but not a better mommy in general terms and 2) Who am I to assume that reason exists in this 3 year old little brain?  I mean isn't this the same kid who threw a 45 minute tantrum last week (we are talking screaming / kicking / hitting for so long he was turning purple and losing his breath) all because his granola bar was broken in half?  Okay I thought This is just a phase.

Except I admit I couldn't let it go.  Driving down Cowell Road on the way to preschool I couldn't help but think how could this child that my entire universe was wrapped around, that I have lost MANY hours of sleep over, and taken countless days away from my job to cuddle the fevers away, and that I check on every night before I go to bed - how could he just up and decide that the mommy position was fungible.

I am being sensitive.  I know this.

We arrive at preschool and as he took in the new surroundings - the teacher telling a kid to 'clean up', his best friend playing with one of the older kids, a group of girls reading books in the corner - he turned around, hugged my legs, looked down at his feet and whispered over and over "I don't want you to go.  I don't want you to leave preschool."

"I know honey.  Don't worry...I will see you tonight."

Thanks Janessa for the sweet photo.

One more day with job security.

More Little Words

Last I checked I've been on health kick trying to lose the last 5 pounds from my pregnancy with Ellis.  I thought I was doing pretty well...that is, until my conversation with Cavin yesterday morning.  Now I'm questioning my efforts!

Cavin: "Mommy, let's do it again!"
Mommy: "Let's do what again honey?"
Cavin: "Your tummy....it was big!  Let's paint Ellis' room.  Ellis will get in your tummy, we'll paint his room, and then he'll come out of your tummy again."
Mommy: "Uhhhmmm..."
Cavin: "Well, first I'll get in your tummy, we'll paint my room...then Ellis will get in your tummy and we'll paint his room!"
Mommy: "That's not quite how it works...and you two are a little too big for mommy's tummy right now."
Cavin: "I know!  We'll BOTH get in your tummy!!"






Cavin in my tummy

Ellis in my tummy

I don't think I could fit two of them at the same time.  One made me big enough!

And then today....

Cavin: "Mommy, are you married?"
Mommy: "Yes"
Cavin:  "Are you married to daddy?"
Mommy: "Yes"
Cavin: "Why are you married to daddy?"
Mommy: "Well, because I love him."
Cavin: "And because you are a woman?"
Mommy: "Sure. That too."

Well, that was a fun and unexpected way to show off some old pictures!

Little Words Wednesday

At the dinner table...

Daddy and Mommy: "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy...."
Cavin: "NOOOOO!!!!!
Daddy and Mommy: "...Spirit.  Bless us oh Lord for..."
Cavin: "DO. NOT. PRAY.  I DO NOT WANT YOU TO PRAY!!!"
Mommy: "Why not Cavin?"
Cavin: "Because I don't want you to!!"
Daddy: "Well then, it looks like you are going to need to go to Church then..."
Cavin: "NOOOO!!!"
Daddy: "...because you're not praying."
Cavin: "I don't WANNA go to Church.  I WANNA pray!"
Daddy, Mommy, and Cavin: "In the name of the..."

In the morning as I'm walking out of my closet...

Cavin: "Mommy what are you wearing??"
Mommy: "What do you mean? I'm wearing my clothes for work."
Cavin: "No, WHAT is on your legs?"
Mommy: "They are called tights."
Cavin: "They are black.  Your legs are black.  I have a new mommy!!!!"
Mommy: "No you don't, I'm just wearing black tights and a skirt."

15 minutes later downstairs...

Cavin [Running between the kitchen and living room]: "I have a new mommy!!! I have a new mommy!!!!"

October

I have always loved the month of October.  When September closes down and we start to see the 29th and 30th on the calendar I get giddy with anticipation.  October is the gateway to the holiday season - pumpkins pop up everywhere, the weather begins to cool a bit (unless you live in the bay area), and people start talking about parties, time off, and seeing family.  I am reminded that my dad's favorite holiday is right around the corner - Halloween!  Growing up we used to eat candy corn for months straight under the guise that it was "cholesterol free" (we have a family history of super duper high cholesterol)...but really candy corn was just another way to celebrate the month.

October was also one of my favorite weather months in Texas.  The 100 degree and humidity is usually behind us and cooler breezes show up.  And now in California, October means the leaves are starting to change colors...something I've never seen until I moved here.

And now there's yet another reason why I like this month.  October was also the last month I had with my mom before she was admitted to the hospital in early November.  And we had fun.  Well she had a lot of fun and then flew to California and we had a blast.  Mom traveled to San Antonio, bounced around the city like it was her job, and tired herself out so much that she passed out in a chair in the hotel lobby, and was awoken by the hotel manager saying she needed to move (true story). She was supposed to drive home to Houston that day but called me laughing and retelling her story - I convinced her to stay another night.  Then she watched her favorite Elvis Tribute Artist, Cody Slaughter, who threw her a sweaty scarf from onstage and my mom squealed like a 15 year old girl at a Justin Bieber concert.  She spent some quality time with some of her best girlfriends, including Joyce Luza...who ultimately wrote her a letter (along with Barbara Glidewell) every other day while mom was in the hospital.  I'm so glad that in the month of October, mom was able to spend time with her friends.

Mom flew to California just before Halloween.  She was tired and frazzled because she was intent on helping her dear friend, Kathy Ellis, get her business website for Diva Doodles up and running.  She spent much of her time here in California on the phone acting as Kathy's business manager and 'putting others in their place' because they were behind deadlines to get the business online prior to the holiday season.  She essentially took over Kathy's business while her best friend fought her battle with cancer.  Because that's what mom did.  She took care of people and got shit done.

When Halloween rolled around I'll never forget the crate of costumes we spilled out all over the living room floor.  Mom and I dug deep into the crate pulling out Winnie the pooh costumes, graduation gowns, hats, wigs, and crazy pants trying to come up for something to wear to our party.  Mom found some sort of concoction between a black graduation gown, scarf from my closet, and black hat, called herself a witch, and then proceeded to eat and play with all of Cavin's and Ellis' friends.  She spent half the party trying to get Cavin's friend, Jenna, to kiss him!  And on Halloween she trotted Cavin all around the neighborhood like the proud nana that she was.

So I could choose to look upon October as the beginning of the end or I can focus on the fond memories that I have always had of that month and the fun that mom truly enjoyed before November 7th rolled around.  I choose the latter.  Because that is what mom would of wanted.  She and I friggin' LIVED the entire year for the holiday season so, at this moment, I choose to celebrate this month with open arms.  November may be another story....because I'm pretty livid with November right now.

It has been 9 months mom.  Raise your glasses to the good witch!

Little Words Wednesday

Cavin: "I want to go on a boat!"
Mommy: "Really? That sounds fun!  Uncle Tod used to have a boat.  Do you remember Uncle Tod?  He's a firefighter!"
Cavin: "Yeah.  Why is he a firefighter?"
Mommy: "Because he likes to help people and save them from fires.  And do you remember your Uncle Bryan?"
Cavin: "Yeah. He's a police officer!"
Mommy: "That's right!"
Cavin: "Why is he a police officer?"
Mommy: "He chose to be a police officer because he liked to help people too.  In fact he saved many lives."
Cavin: "And he drove a police car!!!  And the people would ride in it b/c he would help them.  And the ambulance would come and pick up the sick people and take them to the hospital. And then his car would say 'wooa!! wooa!! wooa!!' and it drives doooown the street."


Mommy: "What do you want to be for Halloween?"
Cavin: "Not a house.  I want to be a BAT!"
Mommy: "Okay....what should Ellis be?"
Cavin: "a ghost"
Mommy: "and daddy?"
Cavin: "A chicken.  And mommy will be a lion.  No....a tree!!"


Later that evening:
Mommy: "Daddy, Cavin said you are going to be a chicken for Halloween."
Daddy: "What!?  I don't want to be a chicken!!! What if I want to be something else?  Like a.....uhmm..."
Cavin: "NO!!!!  YOU WILL BE A CHICKEN!! YOU HAVE TO BE A CHICKEN!!!!!"

Daddy: "Okay...."