Speaking the Language

Have you ever read The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman? The premise is that each person gives and receives love primarily in one of five "languages": words of affirmation, quality time, gift giving, acts of service, and physical touch. I've read the book a few times, and I think it has a lot of helpful ideas for people to get more in-tune with their loved ones. I have always had a hard time nailing down my primary love language; it seems to fluctuate between words of affirmation, quality time, and gift giving. I know, however, that it is not acts of service, and it it NOT physical touch. Don't get me wrong, I love hugs as much as the next person, but I need my personal space... especially when I am pregnant, or post-partum, or in pain, or too hot, or upset... in other words, whenever I don't feel perfect.

So who does God decide to grant me as my eldest son? That's right, the little boy who knows no boundaries. If possible, Max would be attached to me in some way every moment of every day. For him, a hug is not enough- he has to smoosh his face into my face as he grabs the back of my head and squirms as close to me as he can. I really don't mind it...mostly. But there are times when a momma just wants to keep her face to herself!

The latest struggle has been with Audrey. Max adores her. But when Max adores someone or something, they are in real danger of being smothered. We have told him again and again to be careful how close he gets to her, or how tightly he squeezes her. A few days ago, she was lying on the floor when he knelt next to her and started baby talking as he smooshed his face into hers for the umpteenth time. "Max!" I snapped in frustration, "Get your face off of her!"

 "But that's how I love her!" he replied.

As if we ever questioned what his love language was.

Zzzzzzzz....

I've been putting off posting for days, because every time I sit down to type, all I can think about is how tired I am. My brain is functioning at half-capacity, and I can't think straight long enough to write anything worth reading. So... to solve that problem, I've decided to write about how tired I am! Otherwise I may never write again.

A friend came by to bring us dinner last week and mentioned the parenting advice we've all heard, to "sleep when the baby is sleeping". Sound advice, I must say, but only applicable to Baby Number 1! Balancing Audrey's sleep schedule (schedule?! ha.) with that of the boys has proved a little difficult and has left me with  very little sleep. This has been my first full week home with the kids, and let's just say T.G.I.F.

Poor Max and Lucian have gotten the leftovers of Mommy this week; fatigue brings out the worst in me. In case you've noticed me being not-quite-myself lately, blame it on the tired. I can't carry on a conversation to save my life unless I've gotten a full night's sleep. Thankfully, I haven't been without help-- first off, a ton of friends have brought us meals! Shopping and cooking were the first things to go when my energy got zapped, so these meals have literally saved my family from either a lot of take-out, or a lot of really crummy "What's-Left-In-The-Fridge" dinners. Paul thanks you from the bottom of his heart.

People have also tried to help me get more sleep when possible. Paul and Megan have both helped with Lucian in the mornings before they went to work, and my mom came to play with the boys yesterday while I passed out for a good two hours! Bottom line is, with the help of others, I have survived. Thank you to everyone who kept us in one piece this week. Hopefully it will only improve from here!

Red, White and Blue

Happy Independence Day! We had a relaxing, laid-back celebration yesterday with my mom, my aunt and uncle and three cousins. What better way to spend the outrageously humid weather than in the pool at Grandma's house? Max was in heaven swimming with my cousins; they are high-school aged, and he thinks they walk on water. He turned my uncle's inner tube into a pirate ship, and they sailed around the pool singing sea chanteys and hunting for sea creatures.

We ate a simple (but simply delicious) dinner of fried chicken out by the pool, and my aunt made my all-time favorite dessert, pound cake with strawberries, blueberries, yogurt and whipped cream. YUM! After dinner, the boys swam a little more, then we had to pack up in order to make it to the St. Paul fireworks on time.

We didn't know how busy it would be down at Harriet Island, so we got there with plenty of time to spare. Parking ended up being no problem, and we easily staked out a spot on the grass with our blankets and sparklers. Lucian took some warming up, but by the end of it he actually held a sparkler all by himself! Max, of course, had no fear. 

Then the show began! Max spent his time pretending to catch the fireworks, or singing triumphant music to accompany the show, or pointing out his favorite blasts (the red ones, of course). Lucian was just enthralled! I had been slightly worried that he would be afraid of the noise, but oh no, he loved it! So much so that when we got in our car to run errands this evening, he kept asking if we were going to see more fireworks. 

And Audrey? She slept through the whole deafeningly loud extravaganza. Not a peep did we hear until the last fireworks had disappeared from the sky... then she wailed all the way back to the car. Oh that little girl... she loves noise.  But how could it be otherwise? I doubt she had a quiet moment her entire 9 months in utero. Our home is not a place for those who need a lot of silence.

As is becoming 4th of July tradition, the kids didn't hit the hay until after 11:30 pm. I was dreading what this morning would bring, but they both were up and chipper at 8:00! Of course, Audrey had been up much of the preceding 3 hours, so I was not ready to greet the day, but at least I had happy boys to deal with. If fireworks put them in a good mood that lasts overnight, let's have them more often!

I hope everyone had a wonderful time celebrating our nation's independence! 

Patriot Baby

My red, white and blue boys

Glow bracelets make great eye glasses!

Catching fireworks and making explosion noises

We all should enjoy fireworks this much