Getting too big

Getting Parker to eat his vegetables is sometimes a battle. We are down to carrots, peas and edamame. Even then, he sometimes complains. I remind him that if he wants to grow up "big and strong" like his daddy, he will need to eat his fruits and vegetables. He usually sighs and them complies.

Last night at dinner, I noticed him staring at me as I ate. I turned to him noting the perplexed look on his face.

Me: What is it Parker?
Parker: Why are you eating, Mommy?
Me: Because it's dinnertime.
Parker: But you're already too big!

Thanks, bud.

Pretending

Parker is someone new every day. Quite often, he changes identity several times a day. It is high treason to address him by the wrong name. If he was Handy Manny in the morning and you didn't hear him announce he had become his cousin, Sharon, in the afternoon, heaven forbid you address him as Manny later in the day!

I finally just started asking, "Who are you now?" before I try to get his attention. He is so much more compliant when he is addressed as the proper character. Whatever.

Today, he was Fireman Sam for most of the day. He called me "Penny" or "Peddy" or something. Fine. He called Maddie, "Pooky," and explained she was the fire-dog. He really seemed to get into the drama. He tried to put Maddie on a leash. Whenever she ate, he pointed and said, "Look! She's eating her doggie treats." When I gave her the fake fire extinguisher, he was perplexed. "Peddy! She's just a dog! She can't use a fire extinguisher!"

Hmmm...Already referring to his sister as "just a dog." And I thought we had a few years before the seriouse name-calling would begin.

First Sleep-over

We were home for the holidays. It was wonderful and awful. Wonderful to spend so much quality time with family. Awful that every last one of us caught a nasty stomach virus. Susie, my mother-in-law said she washed about 14 loads of laundry within about a 12 hour period. Kids just aren't that great at making it to a bucket or to the toilet before spilling their guts.

Anyway, during this trip, Parker went on his very first sleep-over. I was the first one to get sick so I hadn't joined everyone when they went out for dinner. I got a call when they were on their way home. Aaron said we were down one child...that Parker had gone to spend the night with his Aunt Angela and cousins and that Angela was concerned I'd be upset. I asked him why she didn't take Maddie, too.

Angela called shortly thereafter to ensure I was not angry. I assured her that this was a break and a blessing - his first ever sleep-over. She informed me he would be staying the entire evening unless disaster struck, in which case we would meet at Children's Hospital. Angela is a no-nonsense kind of momma. I love her.

The next day, Parker returned, still happily chatting with his cousins. I don't think he ever stopped talking. Angela said he did really well. There was only a brief time period during which he seemed to have changed his mind.

"Aunt Ang, I like you and everything, but I forgot...I think I wanted to spend the night with my mommy and daddy."

Vain

A few days ago we were at a department store when we noticed Parker staring at himself in the mirror. He carefully brushed a few strands of hair off his forehead and said aloud, "I look so good in this mirror."

What?! I know he's never heard me or his dad say that. I was getting worried that he was becoming vain. Later in the van, he seemed to be talking to himself. He said, "Hello, gorgeous!"

Again, I was a little concerned.

That night he asked me to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks movie with him. It has been running in the background of our home all Christmas season (since Daddy is home and doesn't worry about constant television rotting his little brain the way mommy does). As I sat with him, I heard Alvin admiring himself in a mirror, just as Parker had done. In another scene, the Chipmunks stumble across a cabinet full of food and exclaim, "Hello gorgeous!"

Relief washed over me. But then, so did fear. Parker was an absolute sponge. I think it's time to pull the plug on the TV. Let the whining begin.

Merry Christmas!

Well, the first part was merry. Parker came running down the stairs, "Santa came! Santa came!" After admiring his tool bench and fireman coat, he said, "Oh! I have one other thing I need to check real quick..." He ran to the mantle and stood on his tiptoes. Satisfied his stocking was stuffed with candy and small gifts, he returned to his tool bench (where he played all day).

Maddie, on the other hand, was not so happy. She was fussy and clingy and feverish. She took a long morning nap and awoke, coughing, shaking, glassy-eyed. I was scared. After leaving a message for the on-call doctor and waiting half an hour, I started driving around to urgent care centers. All closed.

I got back home and finally talked to the on-call doctor. We were instructed to go to the ER. Over 6 hours later, we returned home to a tired dad, a lovely [cold] Christmas dinner, and a little boy who didn't want to go to bed.

The worst part about it was missing out on Parker today. I so wanted to play with him and his toys and just share a laid back Christmas day. It made me so grateful to all of the ER doctors, nurses and pharmacists who worked today - away from their own families - so they could care for mine.

'Tis the Season

Parker is psyched about Christmas. Every part of it. He told me tonight he was going to eat up Jesus' birthday cake before He came. Hmmm...I'm not sure it's a good idea to mess with the Almighty's dessert.

Tonight we went to our friends' house for dinner. When we left, Parker said, "Thanks for having us, Carrie and Paul...Merry Christmas to you - all day and night!"

For the last few mornings the first words out of his mouth have been, "Is it Christmas yet?" When we say no, he isn't disheartened. He smiles and says, "I didn't think so, [then in his high-pitched excited voice] but it's coming soon!"

I am really glad he is excited again. For a brief time, he seemed pretty depressed when he realized there was a "naughty list." See, he tries so hard to be good, but sometimes it's just not possible. I mean, he is after all, only 2. There are messes to be made, Ipods to break, sisters to smack, etc.

I certainly didn't help his insecurities the day I picked up the phone to dial Santa. He had just nailed Maddie with a toy again and was screaming his little head off because she dared to pick up a toy he'd set down a few moments ago. When I told him who I was calling, he literally threw himself at my feet, wrapped his arms around my legs, and sobbed, "Pwease don't call him!"

Needless to say, I have backed off my mean-mommy/vindictive Santa approach, and the joy of Christmas has returned. Thank goodness!

Master Manipulator

Today we went to something called Winterfest in downtown Seattle. Really cool indoor and outdoor event. We saw a huge train set, a children's choir, a giant snow globe, etc. As we were heading out toward the ice skating rink and merry-go-round, Parker started having a meltdown. You know, the kind where he throws his head back so far and his mouth opens so wide he looks like a singing muppet. The tears were rolling and we couldn't make out what he was saying. Aaron looked around, exasperated, and spotted a candy shop.
"Hey Parker, would some cotton candy make you feel better?"
Immediately the tears ceased and his voice returned to normal: "Yes, I think that would make me feel better."

Later at home, Parker nailed Aaron in the head with one of those small, hard bouncy balls.
"Ow! Stop!"
Parker (tearing up): That hurted my feelings when you told me to stop.
Aaron: Well, it hurt my head when you threw it at me!
Parker (still teary): But that hurted my feelings! (pause) Maybe a trip to the movie store might make me feel better. Yup, I think so.