Deadlines and Parenting

So I've started the baby Helmet that I've been asked to do. Because the object in question is such a critical piece [quite literally- this helmet reshapes the boy's head, so its round, not flat in multiple spots, as his parents told me], Fredward needs to and has offered to care for the kids so I could focus on my new project and not have to worry about making dinner or taking care of the boys this evening. Exception, being Jackjack, when he needs to be fed. Problem being, Jack screams when Fred is trying to care for him, either because he [Fredward] isn't me, or because Fred isn't standing up. The boy doesn't like to sit down - actually, he doesn't like it when you sit down. He wants to be up and moving and going. So I ended up taking Jack a few times throughout the evening when I just couldn't take the screaming anymore, because he wouldn't stop. No, its not colic, he is just unhappy with Fred in the evening hours. Usually because he doesn't take the greatest of naps during the day, so he is cranky as all hell by the time Fred gets home.

The other boys don't seem to notice Fred is in charge, either.

Alex came into the kitchen fully expecting me to start dinner after my guests left, and to his surprise, I took the helmet and went into the studio without another word. He looked completely puzzled as Fred explained that Mom has to work on a project that has to be done by tomorrow, and that he has to help me out tomorrow. Take care of Dylan and Jack- Mom will feed Jack, but you'll have to play with him.

:side note- this ought to be interesting:

Dylan comes up to me; "Ah, Mom?"
'What, Dylan?'
"I don't like brown beans."
'Tell someone who cares. Tell dad. I'm working at the moment.'
Dylan was present during the Authority change explanation. He also heard it earlier in the day. I have no idea if it registered or not though.

And Jackjack, of course, screamed and cried and carried on and on and on. Then I took him, attempted the calm-down ritual, fed him, and gave him back to Fred.

What? I've got work to do. This Helmet isn't going to paint itself.

And Look who else decided to show up.

I've waited 3 years for you to flower, my dear. Welcome.

Summer is official.

We've been at the beach, playing in the sprinkler, and hiding out in the air conditioning avoiding the fierce glare of the Midwestern intense heat/humidity combo. Jackjack had his first foray into the lake this weekend, swim diaper and all. The kid smelled like sunscreen for two days. I bathed him, I swear.

But he didn't burn, thank goodness. Through my sunglasses, I could have sworn he was a little pink, but that could have just been from being in the water.

Dylan, ever the daredevil when it comes to water, continues his quest to jump off the pier to see how far he can actually go.

This little guy has taught himself how to swim. It totally blows my mind, too. He can hold is breath and swim under water, he wears his goggles, and regularly challenges himself. I am so proud.

Between sleepovers and playtime at friends houses, its actually rare to get all three boys together lately. Never thought that would happen, but I'm grateful it has. It means my kids have friends, and are determined to keep those friendships.

But here they are. And I love them. Look how much they have all changed! My goodness! They are growing and changing on a daily basis. They are getting older, more mature. That doesn't mean I'll admit to getting older. I am, but I refuse to grow up.

Craving a sense of smell

I have a stuffy nose at the moment, but that's not why I crave a sense of smell. I just want to be able to breathe. Being cooped up in the air conditioning [yea, woe is me-pfft] kind of screws with the breathing processes. At least for me it does. Its like being held hostage in the winter by the savage cold, only to have the dry warm air do the same damn thing to you.


No, this post comes tonight on the thoughts, rather the acknowledgments of my sense of smell. I know I can smell, but to have an ability to stop and smell- you know, like the saying "stop & smell the roses." Stop for a second, and register the smells around you. I smell a dry dust and not much else at the moment. But earlier today, I smelled the sickly sweet smell of antifreeze after I had shut my car off. I smelled the rain that didn't come. I smelled the familiar stench of cow dung, after being caught behind what my dad refers to as the 'shit spreader'. I smelled the different chemicals the co-op down the road holds. Smelled like fertilizers when I passed the truck with the container full of liquid on the back. I smelled my baby's poopy pants, I smelled his hair. I smelled the aloe reacting with Dylan's sunburn. I smelled the oil when I came home tonight, from cooking catfish earlier for Fred's dinner. I smelled the clean clothes, and the fresh air from the towels I folded which hung outside on the line. I smelled the chocolate in the batter before I put the muffins into the oven. I smelled them when they were close to being finished. I smelled the cold fish as I put it away for Fred's lunch tomorrow.





I tell you all this to make you aware. I'm sure you already are, but next time you smell something, whether its good, bad or beyond foul, be present in your reaction. Don't act from the subconscious, act consciously.





One thing I didn't smell today:

my wonderful flowers the boys purchased for Mother's Day. They always smell so beautiful in the morning. Sticky-sweet sort of smell. If you don't believe me, get your nose right in there & inhale deeply. You'll see.

The Emergency Alert System

Is in place to alert is in the case of an emergency. Flood, severe weather, that sort of thing. They do a "weekly required test". I understand, its required. But still. Do they have to put it at the good part of the movie? Come on now, I was watching Bad Boys 2 on & off all night, and they go & put the friggin' test at the end when he shoots the guy! Arrgh!


Don't knock my choice in movies, either. It was on & my mind was occupied. I'm drawing again. :)

I love the Red Hot Chilli Peppers

So much. I remember hearing BloodSugarSexMagik and remember thinking what an awesome album it was. Is. Still is.



This was in the early years, when I was just, ah, "experimenting" with music. I was young enough to be living at home, and heavily influenced by my parent's choices. My dad's thing was the Oldies of the 50s & 60s, and had to be one of the only people I knew who didn't care for the Beatles. My mom liked John 'Cougar' Mellencamp, as he was known back then [she still does, I think]. Granted, BloodSugarSexMagik came out quite a few years later, but still. It was this raw, crazy sound to me, and I remember going to my cousin's house to play- she had the CD, and would let me crank it when I was over. I would listen to the entire album, over and over. I loved her for that. Still do.

I was fascinated, even back then, by all of their tattoos. The inside cover had photos of all of their tattoos... I would look at all the different designs, and try to match the tats with their owners. I love the pictures and how they looked as they were wrapped around various parts of their bodies. How yummy they looked covered in tattoos.


To this day, I love two things: Loud music and tattoos. Apparently, not much has changed. And I'm okay with this. I still think guys with tattoos are hot: see my husband for further proof. And I still listen to whole albums, over and over and over and over again. In a single song era, whole album appreciation is vital. Well, at least, for me it is.

Happy listening, folks.

June 21, 2003

I got married 6 years ago on this day. I married my Fred, the man who has consistently made me laugh for the last 10 years. He carried me through the rough times, and laughed at me during all the other times. We are raising 3 boys together and have decided that our family is complete. Our anniversary falls this year on Father's day. Happy Father's Day, Fredward.




He made me the most awesome gift- which I avoided sharing with you all on Friday night when he gave it to me. I have been having some trouble with my inspiration lately. He captured my inspiration and put it in a box, so that when I lose it, its always in a place where I can find it.



And I love him.