The New Me

Here's a radical thought. Maybe I should accept my 34 year old body for what it is. Even more radical--maybe all women should do this. Now, that would be a revolution, my friends.**

I've been thinking a lot about this lately. Especially since it's been 14 months since Ian popped out, and I continue to examine my stomach for signs of going back to normal. Whatever that is. And then it hit me (well, kind of came to me over several months). THIS is the new normal.

I could fight it tooth and nail. I could start running 5 days a week, lifting weights, dieting (heaven forbid). I could spend my copious free time obsessing and worrying and looking in the mirror. I used to do that. Maybe I could do that again.

But I don't want to. It was hard to admit this to myself. That I did not want to strive for physical perfection as I have for most of the last 22 years. Yoga has helped. It has opened up a relationship between me and my body. I actually like her some days. This is progress.

I am just starting to realize that my body is the outward expression of what it has done. What we've accomplished. Birthing two children. Living. Eating. All those lowly, dirty, basic things that human bodies do. I used to hate those things. I used to try to push them down, cage them up.

I hear so many women, mothers or not, continually degrading their bodies. Themselves. Our Bodies, Ourselves. I used to think this was normal. Then I met a few women, here and there, who never talked this way. Who seemed to have so much energy to give to other things in their lives. I was blown away.

So, I've decided to become one of these revolutionary women. Those who eat to be full, eat to enjoy, to share. Who move their bodies for enjoyment and health. Who have stretch marks and flabby abs. Who don't aspire to rock hard, synthetic outer shells. Because if our bodies are the outward expression of living our lives, I want mine to be soft, warm, open. The way my children like it.

** I really hope no one is reading this blog, because if they are, things are about to get kind of personal. Consider yourself warned...

Homing Device

Wake up at 6 AM, tiptoe downstairs for some alone time and coffee = check

Do some stretching so old 34 year old body doesn't seize up after challenging yoga class = check

Tear hair out when toddler wakes up 20 minutes after all this, and NO coffee has actually been drunk = check

When they come out, they're implanted with the homing device, of this I am sure. And the device is specifically designed to sniff out your lame attempts at being alone, without them.

Ugh. Now to get said screaming toddler and maybe have that coffee. After husband has cup. And toddler has milk. And preschooler has tantrum...

Mother's Day is for Fathers

I had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday, complete with flowers and breakfast in bed. I luxuriously finished a full cup of coffee by myself. It was grand. Reminded me of the time I served my own mother soggy Raisin Bran in bed one Mother's Day -- I was so proud of my culinary aptitude.

This year, I think it was a chance for Christian to let Will in on the secret a little bit. I was slowly (very slowly) making my way downstairs when I overheard Christain explaining Mother's Day to Will.

"Today is the day we thank Mom for everything she does for us, and our family."

I'm sure Will said something like "Why?"

"Because she helps us and takes care of us. She really does a lot."

It was a sweet moment. But more because of how it made my husband just shine with fatherly-ness. Maybe yesterday was really more about fathers, or partners, than just about mothers. Since I don't think I could be who I am to my children without this other--who constantly reflects onto them his views too. Good or bad.

So, a belated Happy Mother's Day, to all the moms and dads out there. We rock. We really do.

Will-isms for the 21st Century

These days we alternate between being really pissed at Will for many things, or falling down laughing when he says something so funny -- or true.

On eating only the frosting off Nina's birthday cupcake:

"I like the cup, but not the cake."

On why Macktiti (Will's imaginary friend; the name is no joke), can't come over to our house to play. I asked if he was sick:

"No Mom, Macktiti's not coming because he's not real...."

At any time of day, whenever the mood strikes him:

"She's real fine, my 409... Vrrooom vroom!"

Correcting me on why the sky is getting dark but it's not nighttime:

"No Mom, the sun is UNDER the cloud, not behind it."

On why our cat Mouse walks around meowing annoyingly for hours. Roosevelt is Mouse's late brother:

"Mouse misses Roosevelt cause he's dead."

At the dinner table:

"Couscous is a form of rice."

In the morning, before we have a chance to take off his overnight diaper and change him into underwear:

"I gotta go potty!!!!! Uh, nope. Just went in my pants."

The intro lines to The Beach Boys' 409. That should be dimes:

"Gonna save my pennies, gonna save my nimes....."

After the first Asanimals yoga class for 2-3 year olds, with Mom:

"Next time I'll come to yoga, and you and Dad can stay home."

When Will wants to do something and Ian keeps getting in the way. The "cage" is the pack n' play:

"Put Ian in his cage, Mom."

Snacktime is the new happy hour

Is there really anything better than the eerie quiet that descends on two children as they stuff themselves full of snack? I don't think so. It's not surprising to me that my boys are, how do you say?, a little bit cranky when their blood sugar levels are low. For Ian, it's a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situation. Very similar to his dad. With Will, it's more a slow and steady decline into LOSING IT -- quite like me. I can get too busy to stop and eat, but never, ever think that means I have FORGOTTEN to eat.

So imagine my surprise to find the boys calmly sitting together at their small table, eating snack and looking all around happy. No kicking, pushing, screaming. Too busy with full mouths to make much noise, I assume. It was blissful, this coming together to break bread -- or cheese sticks or whatever.

And to see Ian sitting there like such a big boy in his little chair? Well really, it almost made me tear up a little. And then I smiled and laughed. 'Cause they're just so darn cute when they're not being annoying brats.

Peace and snacktime to you.

That Old Cliche

Carpe diem. Living every day like it's your last. Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today. No one ever complained on their death bed that they wished they'd spent more time at work.

Yesterday, I found out that one of the professors at my school died at his home on Sunday. Just died. He was born in 1943 -- the year my dad was born. He had beat cancer the year before. He went to the doctor that Friday complaining of a cough and was dead 2 days later.

It's not as if he hadn't led a full life. Grown children, successful career, author, teacher, mentor. But that doesn't really make it alright, does it? He had more to give.

And that's what gets me the most. I have more to give -- and I'm not dead or dying as far as I know. Instead, sadly, I'm living like I've already given it everything I've got. WE'RE living like that. And of course, the reality is that we're already dying, a little more each day. Which isn't a sad thought to me, just a little wisp of tuth. Something to keep us honest.

I didn't know this professor well. Really only by name. But he got me thinking. He is teaching some folks right now, for sure.

The last several years have been full of "wake up calls" and close calls. But I've been too damn busy and absorbed in the minutae of life to listen much. Maybe self-absorbed. Aren't we all to some extent?

We say it a lot, but come on now, isn't the bottom line that we're just all a little scared to sieze the day, live life to its fullest? I know I am. Because living a bigger life could mean bigger disappointments, crises, risks, sadness. It could also -- I really hope -- mean bigger rewards.

Ian at 1 Year + 10 days

First, the stats:

Length = 28 1/2 inches (10th percentile)

Weight = 18 lbs, 14 oz (about 4th percentile)

Head circumfrence = 44 1/2 cm (above the 95th percentile!)

Hmm, why such a big head? Maybe he's just super smart! Why so lean? Guess he has the Thompson genes.

Apparently, Ian is also a little ahead of the curve, developmentally. The doc says he's doing things that are more usually seen in 15 month olds. See? An overachiever already...

Ian has been walking for about a month now, and getting steadier every day. His top left molar is next on the agenda, and with it, I'm sure lots of crankiness.

Since I started this post almost a month ago (ack!), things have continued to move along. Another bottom tooth is coming in and Ian is getting ready to run one of these days. It's amazing, and I'm not completely ready for it. Oh well.

Here's a pic from the birthday bash, with Will being the ever-helpful big brother. Enjoy!

Baby steps

Ian is 11 months, 2 weeks old today. He started taking a few steps here and there last week, and by today (Sunday) is pretty much full-fledged walking. Albeit very tentatively with lots of thrills and spills. His other favorite activities are pointing -- at everything -- and clapping his hands. We've even seen a little bit of dancing. Ian can also throw a ball, play peek 'a boo, and roll a ball back to you. It's non-stop action in the Thompson household these days. Enjoy the video montage of his first steps. Helmet and knee pads not required...

It's coming back.

'Nuf said. Bring back the mustache! Who could forget Magnum P.I.? Burt Reynolds? Yosemite Sam? Your dad in 1976?

This version was the tail end of Christian's successful beard experiment. Quite a specimen. Needless to say, this picture is all that remains of his "mustache for a day." Enjoy.

Brothers in name only?

So, I have to do a little comparison between Ian and Will. It's been almost one year, and Ian is quickly moving from infant to toddler. The past year is a complete and total blur. I honestly don't even remember how Ian got here sometimes!


I used to post a lot of stats about Will when he was a baby--since, as a first-time mom--I was obsessed with stats and percentiles. Those arbitrary numbers somehow made me feel like I was doing the right things. That said, let the comparisons begin...


When Will was a little over 11 months old, he had JUST started crawling, his FIRST tooth was peeking through, and I think he was saying "mamama" and "dadada." He also weighed in at about 22 lbs.


At the same age, Ian has just started WALKING (yes!), CLIMBING, has SIX teeth, and says "mamama" and "dadada." He weighs around 18 lbs. 4 oz (we think, at his last sick visit).


Another fun divergent fact: Will was always a great daytime napper, but had a harder time at night. But once he got the nighttime thing down (about 10-12 mos.), he was going to bed at 7 PM and waking up at 7 AM. At 3 years, Will still could take a 3 hour nap each day if we let him.


Ian, on the other hand, has never really napped well during the day, but has always been great at night. As a little baby, he drove me crazy taking 20 min cat naps all day (or sometimes not napping at all!). Now, Ian pretty much only takes one nap per day (about 1.5 hours if we're lucky), but it's hit or miss. Some days he'll take two half hour naps (gasp! not a pretty sight when he melts down at 6 PM). Other days--for no apparent reason--he'll take two, hour or so long naps, even if he slept in that morning. Ian is in constant motion, while Will literally didn't even start moving until he was 11 months old.


And eating. Both boys nursed and had formula from early on, and both self-weaned (whatever that means) at just around 11 months. We start both on solids about the same time (6 months), but Will took off from there like gangbusters. He ate baby food with no problem and was quite a rolly-polly baby (although not long). Ian, on the other hand, never really liked baby food and only now wants to eat things he can pick up himself.


He actually started on finger foods much earlier than Will. Probably because of the teeth--and just cause he wouldn't eat much else. And the doc was a little worried at Ian's 9 month check-up that he's consistently dropped weight percentiles since about 6 months. At 9 months, he was at the 4th percentile for weight -- which shocked me, since he's developing so quickly. So who knows. He was about the 25th percentile for weight when he was born.


And there ends my motherly comparison of the boys. Funny thing is that even though these guys are starting out so differently, watching them now, it looks like they still have lots in common. Mostly, a crazy mother who is already pulling her hair out worrying about the first trip to the ER.

My Funny Valentine

As this Valentine's Day winds down, and all my boys are upstairs snug in bed (yes, even C), I have to say that this year, the day actually means something to me. I'm a lucky gal to love and be loved by this family. How strange that a made-up marketing holiday could make me stop and realize it...

And for your viewing pleasure, our latest outdoor adventures. Christian took the boys outside to play because it was a blistering 25 degrees, and decided it was time to start practicing for the upcoming golf season. Believe it or not, Will took the picture of Christian hitting out of the "snow trap." Ian looks like he's having fun, right??

Snow-la-palooza!

I had to put in my 2 cents about this once-in-a-lifetime snow storm hitting the East Coast and mid-atlantic. Breaking records set in 1888. 1888 people! That's crazy.... And here I sit in upstate NY, with maybe 4-5 inches on the ground (more to come, for sure), after having commuted to and from work without incident in my tiny Honda Civic with snow tires. Yes, schools were open, businesses were open, the government was open.

But hey, it wasn't 3 feet of snow, so I'm gonna give VDOT a break.

And then I read that they're creating a MOUNTAIN of snow in an empty parking lot near the Anacostia River in D.C. -- because crews have just run out of places to put the snow. It's gonna get so big, you could ski down it! I was dying laughing. So, that's their idea of urban revitalization...

That just doesn't happen up here. There are plenty of wide open fields in which to dump tons of snow. Day after day after day. And it's been too cold to even think of getting outside with the kids to play in all that snow. When it's a high of 20, it just ain't that fun. For anyone.

So while DC/MD/VA parents and kids contemplate another week or so of snow days (what the hell are we going to do with these kids??!!), just remember that we in central NY have been cooped up inside for the past 3 MONTHS. Spring can't come fast enough.

The Perfect Storm

It's the first time I've sat down since I got home from work around 5 today. It feels so good to sit down, to stop moving, that I never want to get up... Tell me why the stars have aligned to create the perfect storm every night now when it's bedtime for the boys?

Post-bath, pre-PJs, Will runs around like a screaming banshee, in some sort of hyper-speed mode where he does everything FAST. Isn't he supposed to be tired after a long day of playing and a slowly shrinking afternoon nap?

And then the potty. His last ditch effort to stay up later is to use the bathroom. What do I say? "Just go in your diaper, OK??!" Don't think that's pediatrician recommended at this stage of potty training... And the talking, and singing, and all-around annoying noise making. It wouldn't be a huge deal if he didn't share a room with Ian. But all that noise sometimes wakes Ian, and then it's trouble with a capital T in the Thompson household.

Ian is now old enough to protest going to bed, and protest he doth. Whatever the doc says about his weight, his lungs are certainly healthy. And if Will is up making noise, little bro wants in on the action.

So, I sit here, praying the silence lasts so I can read a few more chapters from last month's book club selection. That is, if I can keep my eyes open long enough...

Sleep Deprived

It's really wonderful how becoming a parent allows one to see and do things that you just wouldn't get a chance to otherwise. Like, for instance, watching your 10 month old's head loll dangerously forward, and sideways, as he falls dead sleep while feeding himself at the table at 5:45 PM. Seriously. In mid-mouthful.

The backstory is that the little guy took one nap at school (earlier than normal), and of course, didn't get in the afternoon one he really needed. Just too busy.

Black bean and cheese quesadillas* (homemade) = $5?

Avocado = $3 (whoa!)

Booster seat with tray that straps to a chair = $22

Baby falling asleep with eyes rolling back into his head like a doll's? = Priceless

(I apologize to Mastercard's marketing peeps...)

* Black Bean & Cheddar Quesadillas your toddler will eat

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 block shredded cheddar cheese (~2 cups or so)

3 green onions, sliced small

3-4 sprigs cilantro, chopped

10 inch flour tortillas

Combine cheese, black beans, onions and cilantro. Spread some of mixture on one side of tortilla. Fold in half like a book. Do same with another tortilla. Heat some veggie oil in large pan (non-stick is OK). Add folded quesadillas, and cook several minutes on each side until cheese is melted and tortillas are light brown and crispy. Serve with salsa and sour cream. You can skip the onions and cilantro if the wee one is grossed out by all things green. Add corn if you want, or whatever floats your boat. This is the ONE meal that the 3 year old will always eat.

Pot Roast Fantasia

Mmmm, the smell of pot roast slow cooking in the oven is wafting over me. I can't wait until dinner. I'm owning up to it now -- I've never actually made pot roast myself. I know, how can that be? It's so darn easy. Oh well, better late than never.

How many guesses to who will NOT savor my pot roast tonight? Yup, the "I-don't-like-that-what's-that-smell-ewwww-I-want-icecream-peanutbutterandjelly" child, our first-born. And he was such a good little eater at first. Sigh...

This is more along the lines of what Will likes to eat for dinner, or any meal (that's a good 'ole Girl Scout Tag-along cookie -- I don't care what silly politically correct name they're calling it now. I love my Tag-alongs.):








PS -- The pot roast was awesome! I was practically licking my plate... And I actually followed a recipe to the letter this time (http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pot_roast/). I know, shocking. This site is becoming my go-to place for normal, home-cooked, time-tested recipes. Oh yeah, and Will didn't touch it. Okay, he did eat the egg noodles and a few carrots...

Has it really been almost 2 years...?

Well, for those of you following our blog (ha ha), I guess the past year or so has been kinda boring. No new posts. No new pictures. Did we retire, move to Guam, go off the grid?

Nope, we just had a second child (Ian, born March 20, 2009), I started a new job, Christian deepened his growing obsession with golf, and Will entered his third year. Heaven help us. The "terrible twos" got nothin' on this...

I, on the other hand, marvel at my ever diminishing lack of "me time," even for the most mundane tasks like reading books for book club, washing my hair and brushing my teeth thoroughly. Yes, in my 33rd year I was informed I had my first cavity. What the...?! More than anything, that damn cavity has me contemplating my mortality and thinking I better get it into gear or else I'm gonna fall apart by age 40.

So in honor of new years and resolutions and starting on a fresh foot -- I am making a pact with myself to blog at least once a week (and floss every night no matter how tired I am). Writing has withered in the my closet of "things I dreamed of doing" for a long time now. I figure it can't be that hard. You just do it. Right?

And I promise not to write exclusively about babies, preschoolers, teething and potty training. Speaking of ... we posted some new pics on Picasa. Happy new year, and there's more to come.

He Can Build It, Yes He Can!

Happy Halloween to all those friends and family, near and far! The pumpkins are carved, candy is bought (maybe a little too much candy), and Will is ready for his first real "trick or treat" experience.

The costume gets its debut today at the elementary school Halloween parade with Will's daycare class. Then we paint the town tonight with his pal Gavin (who will either be an Oreo or train conductor).

In case you don't know (are you living under a rock??), Will is Bob the Builder. He knows ALL the words to the theme song by heart. Enjoy! Can we fix it? Yes we can!

Fall is Here & News

Another few months have gone by and we're still very behind posting pictures and updates. It's been a busy fall so far for us. Christian is just starting a new job, and I've been trying to stay focused at work while contemplating Will's upcoming 2nd birthday (gasp!) and our next new project -- another child.

Yes, I'm pregnant again and due March 31, 2009. We thought it was about time for Will to have a sibling, and I was starting to forget about those baby days... The funny thing is that it hasn't really hit either of us that this means ANOTHER baby in the house. I just feel like I'm getting fat, that's all! I'm 15 weeks today, and so far all seems to be going well. Wish us luck! We're going to need it... ;-)

We have sooo many new pictures to post, it seems almost pathetic to try to describe in words what we've been up to. Needless to say, not much blogging (obviously).

But, the leaves are changing color up here, the air is crisp, the apples are in, and the grape harvest should start soon. We're still on track to start building something on our land next summer, and might be able to start legally making/selling wine the year after. How many "new babies" can we handle??? We'll see!

Dog Days of Summer

Yet again, another two months flies by and I have yet to post anything or get more pictures online. Summer has been busy, but I won't use that as an excuse. We're just horrible at keeping up! So, this is going to be the quick and dirty round-up.

First, to our first baby -- Will. He's 21 months and has really lengthened out lately. Getting a little taller, and -- much to my chagrin -- losing all his baby fat! His little round milk-belly is all gone, mostly due to the insane amount of running around he does all day. And the fact that he's on the toddler eating schedule (read: eats nothing but goldfish, grapes and milk). He can FLY when he gets going, and we've been practicing for the 2028 Summer Olympics track and field events -- he screams " Set! Go!!!" and then tears off around the house...

Will is talking more every day, now putting together words and making short sentences ("Daddy mow lawn.") He is a little parrot, copying EVERYTHING we say. He still has trouble with the hard "c" sound, so he says "tar"and "titty tat" for car and kitty cat. But, I'm sure that will straighten itself out.

As for hobbies, Will is obsessed right now with everything car -- he has a zillion matchbox cars already, and we've collected other versions too. He's also liking Thomas the Train books, and has gotten into Jay Jay the Jet Plane on TV - probably the most annoying children's' show ever...!

Finally, Will loves to give hugs and kisses, and is still very fond of his stuffed friend Lamby Lamb, who he sleeps with. He's such a little boy now! It sort of makes me sad sometimes that time has gone by so quickly. Here are a few shots of our trip to UVa for reunions (in June) with the Gretos and Capone-Barretts -- with buddy Joseph and soon-to-be buddy Rhys!

4 Months in Review

Wow -- its amazing how time flies, and how many pictures you can accumulate on your digital camera before you have time to upload them. Although this blog has been pretty quiet since March (arggh!), we have been taking pics of Will in his various surroundings, and making mental notes about developmental milestones that have happened.

For the full monty, check out all our recent pictures (March-June 2008) posted in our Picasa gallery: http://picasaweb.google.com/tburgthompsons

As for milestones, here are a few: Will is still holding steady at around 24 pounds, and just made the lowest percentile on the height curve for his age. The doc doesnt seem worried, since his weight is still a higher % than his height. The walking is pretty much all running these days, and Will loves ANY kind of ball -- basketballs, baseballs, and tennis balls being faves.

The talking is amazing -- Will now says (what we call) full sentences! Things like "Daddy mow," "my milk," "Mommy's shoe," and "big rock." It seems like he's saying a new word every day these days... The sleeping and eating are back on track. No more 5:30 AM wake up calls, and he actually ate like two dinners tonight. Very funny.

The highlights of the past few months were getting together with The Gretos and Capone-Barrett's for UVa reunions (10 years - we are OLD) -- even though it was god awful hot that weekend and Jenny was 35+ weeks pregnant! Will had a grand old time showing off, and we think he gave Joseph some added incentive to start walking. Two Theta Delts in the making... Then we had some fun times at the lake with Nina and Pop Pop (the Thompsons), playing outside with MacBeth, putting in our veggie garden (by hand) with a little help from Will. Grandma Kate also came to visit in March (for a week), and a quick visit on Mem Day weekend. We almost missed the TBurg parade (you'd think we'd know which street it's on after 3 years).

All in all, time is flying and we can't believe mid-summer is already upon us! Stay tuned for more info on the winery, since things are finally progressing.