On a mission...

One day I wake up and my son is walking, my daughter is reading and my hair is more gray. Dylan began launching off into new horizons this past weekend, taking his first set of consecutive steps in the kids bedroom. He is so proud of himself when he walks that his head is held high, his tongue sticks out and his eyes hunt to lock with yours so he can relish in his feat!

Eight teeth with new ones on the way fill Dylan's mouth and help explain how he can maintain his hard-core carnivore diet. This kid is no joke-if it's meat he is on board for seconds and could easily have a third round. I have to get creative with his other foods as lately he has shown a dis-interest in pasta, yogurt, avocado and broccoli is out of the question. However, he has gained a preference for bananas which I never would have anticipated as he was revolting against them when younger! Suffice it to say, he's a big boy and despite any food dis-interests, his physique is not hurting. This boy is going to be a hearty hunk of love!

Kaitlyn drinks books. When I see her absorbed in a page I see a five year old Steve. Apparently he was reading encyclopedias when he was five and if this evening is any indicator, I predict Kaitlyn will be as well. She was animately choosing my books over her stack of eight library books for reading pleasure. As she turned each page she sat engaged with the words, pausing momentarily before turning to the next page. You can imagine this little girl, sitting upright with a 250 plus page book in her lap, all text, no images and her eyes glued, temporarily lost in her imagination with the details of some thriller!

The terrible two's have arrived and between managing aggressive love by Kaitlyn aimed at Dylan (and other friends), I'm in a constant 'No....No...' banter with her. It's an awful feeling to be constantly telling your child 'No.' I must stay intentional and not reactionary as things can escalate and get ugly fairly quickly-she's a little trouble maker. Pushing and shoving is becoming a household norm. Kaitlyn will walk up to you and just shove you in the chest. Where on earth did this behavior manifest itself in my daughter's ambitions? I can only rationalize that it's a post-biting thing that she will eventually grow out of (and, fortunately according to a book I'm reading-apparently, as well as Kaitlyn-these aggressive behaviors often spike around 27-30 months. Oh joy. Lucky me!).

Another noteworthy trend to mention is Kaitlyn's success with potty training...AT SCHOOL ONLY! Once back at home, a diaper must go on this little girl as she finds some way to do her duty not in the potty but elsewhere, most recently, on the dining room table. What? I was appalled when I heard this one. She apparently climbed up on the table to reach some flowers-total innocent curiosity here...and then did her number. Furious? Yes. This afternoon I found her passed out on her floor in her bedroom, no diaper, wet carpet, princess dress soaked. Oh lovely. It never ends. The hard part about this is that Kaitlyn knows all the answers when asked 'Where do we go pee-pee/poo-poo?' She totally gets it, but out of some other agenda, her gig when at home is to go on potty strike....unless, of course, I'm putting her to bed. The potty then becomes her best friend, often wanting to visit after we've been tucked under the covers. I know it will get better but for now I'm taking a short sabbatical from the potty training world.

Dylan has developed this grasp, or shall I say he has fine-tuned his grasp. It's intense. It hurts. It leaves marks. His stubborn streak arrives and watch out, if you are in the way, his arm will show you the door. Scoot on over! Dylan is on a mission. A few more random facts about the boy....he loves cords, ribbon and strings; he will melt down when at the fridge-if he is at your feet, it's as if all things in the fridge are eye-candy so shutting the door makes him upset; he is a little investigator-I find him analyzing things like the drawer of the dishwasher or the cabinet hinge; he is a cuddler at naptime and bedtime, often nuzzling right up to your neck and within in minutes, passed out!

I'm by no means haggard like I was a couple months back, but I am continually tired and in need of a mid-day rest where I can find energy to sustain myself through the evening to get the kids fed and in a deep slumber. Motherhood is never ending. With two children I feel overwhelmed at times by the magnitude of daily needs, and then some days it's like a dance. Once you learn the moves you know how to make your way through your day...Unfortunately not everyday is a smooth, wooden dance floor. I often have huge boulders in the way!

Let's talk gray hair. I'm in a funk-having the worse hair of my life right now that I am tempted to cut it all off and go pixie for a while...it would be S O O O O O easy! But, Steve might want to leave me then...just kidding! It wouldn't be his favorite choice, let's put it that way!

Enough with the random thoughts and updates, in essence, these kids are on a mission...

Dylan to continue exploring through his new found love of walking and Kaitlyn, to read through all of mommy's books and then teach her what was in them! Now that's a great idea...

Headlines in a sentence...

The cutest boy in America.

Ok, the two cutest boys in American, Dylan with cousin Truman.

I love that I can say he is my son!

Kaitlyn giving Truman one of her famous headlock hugs!

Dylan has always kissed Auntie Cupcake-it's so endearing!

Dylan and me!

Park Date! In San Diego visiting cousin Truman, Auntie Cupcake and Uncle Jeff...

Cousin Truman laughing at Kaitlyn's response when she sipped carbonated water for the first time!

The tickle of the carbonation!

Dylan learned how to clap today.

Kaitlyn loves playdough and painting.

Dylan only wants to be on his feet...but he's not walking quite yet.

Kaitlyn would rather skip baths all together.

Dylan will be a diver, beginning with a career in bath diving. He's always looking for an excuse to take a bath.

Kaitlyn hasn't taken a bite out of anyone from preschool in over 6 weeks.

Dylan is a solid 22 pounds.

Kaitlyn's appetite at breakfast is next to nothing.

Dylan has found his voice and it's deep....I don't think puberty will be an issue for him.

Kaitlyn is into this phase of 'Don't touch my body'....and she means it!

Dylan can sleep through any noise Kaitlyn makes during afternoon naptime (thank God) and Kaitlyn generally sleeps through any noise Dylan makes during the night!

Dylan loves watermelon, kiwi, freeze-dried banana chips but still not a fresh banana.

Kaitlyn gives head lock hugs.

Dylan has a grip that makes Cosimo bark (when he grabs his ears) and Kaitlyn bald (her hair comes out in chunks if his hands get ahold of her curls).

Kaitlyn thinks band-aids cure everything!

Both kids drive me nuts.

Both kids fill my heart with tremendous amounts of love.

Both kids keep me tired, but ready for anything!

Both kids add to my laugh lines.

Big Girl Bed

The B E D...Big Girl Bed...Princess Bed...Kaitlyn's Bed.

Frilly bedskirt needs ironing, but will be on this week to complete the look!

Fuzzy photo but classic Kaitlyn excited look...

Lost in Princess world...notice the satin pink clutch hanging from her arm and the rose ring on her finger? The entire evening had to be Princess Princess Princess so to celebrate the theme and the emerging need to get new bedding to fit this huge bed...she also got a gift of princess gadgets (cell phone, keys, lipstick-fake, ring, pocket heart mirror, etc that all fit into this satin purse).

Never did I think I'd be purchasing Disney Princess bedding for any child of mine. BUT, with Kaitlyn you can't help but want to indulge as she is nothing but Princess stuff right now. Saying 'Princess' gets her to smile, leap, jump, act all girly. It's pretty darling.

S P E N T...me, strung out.

I'm sure every mother has these days where they find themselves walking around with an incredibly unfriendly stern face. That has been me for the past five hours or so. In hindsight, I'm the farthest from unhappy, but in the moment, I have had one trying hour after the next all thanks to my lovely Miss Drama Queen Extraordinaire, Kaitlyn Marie! Between Steve's borderline manic personality and my outstanding emotional range, it's no wonder Kaitlyn demonstrates these bursts of extreme behavior. Today was one of those days where she was loaded with hyper activity, over-intelligence (as I like to think of it) and tears of hysteria! Where to begin...here are some of my rambles:

-Was it the initial climbing out of her crib during 'quiet time' that had my emotions stirred? She was running around the house in pure glee for having slipped out of her crib without being reprimanded (Steve thought I let her out and I thought he let her out)....

-Maybe it was the fear that the two 7lb weights she chucked upon the floor only inches away from Dylan's body was the reason behind my negative energy...

-Really it could be simply from the fact that she is now capable of climbing out of her crib (she did it a second time this afternoon on round two of 'quiet time') and I fear the next stage of toddler bed nighttime routines...she will most likely make every night rich with drama. The anticipation alone makes me grumpy.

-My frustration is no doubt partly due to her over sensationalized reaction to a scuff mark on her knee from a morning walk...this little girl volume of both voice and tears resulted in an enormous, overly lengthy tantrum when placed in the bath (met with great resistance, mind you) and water went upon her bandaid. She was fierce with her stance, there was nothing to console her. She tightened up and stood frantic with cries of pain. Made me think for a brief moment that she was really IN pain...BUT, I'm not that easy. After a good verbal word exchange, a count to three (about 30 minutes of a tantrum later-yes, it was that exhausting to try to peel her out of the tub and actually take care of bathing Dylan simultaneously), and a new Strawberry Shortcake bandaid upon her knee...like magic, all pain melted away.

-No, I'm spent just due to the basic bedtime situation. Lately her gig has been to call out, 'I need to go to the potty', once placed in her crib. Honoring her request turns into a game complete with leg kicks and tears when I feel she is 'done'-she would stay on the potty for an hour if I'd let her. Couple this with the fact that she just can't handle going to bed without particular articles of fashion....her hat, silver shoes, her feather boa...and of course the stuffed puppy and pony. At least tonight that was the deal. Tomorrow it may be her 'snowman' hat and 'mittens' (mittens are generally socks worn on her hands) or rain boots with a headband. Aggghhhh.

All the while I'm working with Dylan-and tonight the poor guy had some serious cries from neglect. I had to leave him alone multiple times surely making him feel stranded upon the floor in order to tend to Kaitlyn in another room. It was an ongoing chain of events that have me at this moment feeling like I really wasn't signing up for all of this when I said I wanted to be a mom. I really felt miserable, unhappy and angry today.

Now that both kids are sound asleep and I'm debriefing my afternoon/energy, I feel a weight lifted. I'm going to get through this. It's no doubt a testy time and also a hilarious one..

I leave you with this......

She was looking at this carousel that rotates three horses when music plays (very small, fits on a side table). She declared the end piece of each pole that went through each horse was called the horse's peanut (for penis)! Hilarious!!!

The girl dress shop...

Lost in her frills!

The classic Kaitlyn smile.

This last photo-her expression reminds me of a photo of my mother when she was probably just about the same age. Incredible how genetics sneak in one day and get lost in another!

It drains your wallet-well, not mine, but my mother-in-laws....it's a shop to experience at least once if you have a girl, Luan's Dress Shop (since 1952) located in Long Beach. Imagine walking into a dress shop that is exclusively for young girls, toddler girls and baby girls. Yes, it puts any Nieman Marcus or Macy's to shame as the racks in this shop are packed with boutique treasures. From casual to chic, from holiday to everyday, from headband to bow, from glitz to pearls, from handbag to throw, you could never walk out of this shop with one item.

One of Kaitlyn's latest Luan's treasures, this pink & dark gray Sunday dress is made of heirloom quality cotton, and adorned with black glass beads in the heart of the decorative pink flower. It's definitely a dress that needs special handling when washing! Kaitlyn wore this dress on Sunday and as usual, felt like a princess. Heck, she is a princess. She loves all things with frills, ruffles, layers, sequence, jewels, feathers and florals.

Now, if only we could find an all boy shop my mother-in-law would really be broke...

Urban Traveler

Kaitlyn rode home with Daddy to allow both of us access to the car pool lane. It was her first time in a front seat and apparently won't be the last. She LOVED it, or as Steve said, she was over stimulated!

The serious co-pilot.

Dylan, 'I want your water, Sis'.

Kaitlyn, 'Dylan I told you it's mine, you can't have it!'

Friday was a day of exercise for the Patterson family! We loaded our bikes, our Burley trailer, and headed to Long Beach. Nana greeted us with her fancy three-wheeler, and together we cruised the boardwalk...

Dylan was vocal about his dislike of the entire idea from the minute his helmet was strapped.

Kaitlyn continually held her chin high and took on the big sister role with such grace-putting her arm around Dylan and expressing words of consolation...until they both had enough.

Kaitlyn figured ways to pester Dylan, toss items outside the trailer and sit in a way to make Dylan feel like he had no control of his own posture. A real sight to see, and for me, as they were hitched to my bike, a real sight to hear! Adventurous memories.

Mr. P90X

Muscle Man. Mr. Six-Pack. Mr. P90X. I'm convinced he is going to be a tank not only because of his hearty size but also because he seems to have front row seats when Steve and I do our daily workout for P90X (yes, we have committed ourselves and successfully completed week 1)! The little guy watches with great intrigue and emulates our move. You can find him in his exersaucer in a jumping motion when we jump or make any swift action!

Dylan, oh Dylan. Having quit nursing cold turkey, it was an awful few days in the bosom department but only because I became temporarily engorged (which, for all you non-nursers and men...I had grown enlarged rocks in my bra that physically ached when brushed against anything). Almost two weeks into this nursing-free regiment and he hasn't gone looking for the boob like I anticipated. He really moved on and with that moving on my husband has moved in, moved into the department of putting kids to sleep. I don't know what it is, Steve has a gift with Dylan that gets this kid to delve into the deepest stage of sleep faster than I can make a bottle! I'm working it, let me tell you-there's really no reason I should put Dylan down now that I know Steve has this new found power (wishful thinking)!

His latest personality note is a gregarious shriek, almost ear numbing but not quite as damaging as what Kaitlyn's used to be. Dylan gets into this groove, especially when he's just been fed. While in his highchair, he starts squealing, legs start kicking and his arms start flapping like a bird. This is all followed by his hearty, deep shriek. The deep shriek makes his legs and arms stiffen, and it's never limited to just one-it's a true symphony of baritones!

Dylan loves Cheerios-so don't waste your money on any generic puff cereal snack, as he will turn up his nose and block any bite with his forearm. Actually, he turns up his nose a great deal. I'm diligent and thus continue to offer him a bite of anything and everything, clearly learning what will fly and what will not upon making a second attempt!

He's no official crawler, but he has developed a strong stylized scoot. Somehow he makes his way across the floor and in an instant, tumbles to his side or back and then just hangs out. He's incredibly fond of walking with support-this would go on for numerous front-door-to-kitchen laps if I'd allow it or if I could physically endure it! He's ready to take off, I can feel his fight for freedom.

Overall Patterson Family highlights:

-Two kids, a dog and an adventure seeking husband is all I can handle right now!

-Kaitlyn likes to narrate her day down to, 'Mom, are you folding laundry?'.

-Dylan is a master of the 4 oz bottle-not sure if he'll ever tackle 8 oz in one setting, it's not his style.

-Kailtyn has begun to sit on the regular toilet seat while barking orders to leave the bathroom so she can have some privacy!

-Dylan is into biting-geez, just like her sister! At least I'm broken in!

-Kaitlyn loves to dance. Did I mention that Kaitlyn loves to dance? Seriously-it's in her blood from both sides, go figure!

-Dylan has held himself up and is obsessed with this toy guitar!

I'm haggard, I'm in need of some sleep. May the children remain in a deep slumber well into the morning hours!

Blessings!