No Time for Thinking

I would love to write a "deep thoughts" post because, joyfully, I have actually had two deep thoughts in the last couple of months. (A rare occurance since bringing baby home.) But, sadly, writing anything thought provoking would take too much time, and I have more pressing matters, like the crying baby who just woke up from his nap, the spitup I cleaned off my shoulder earlier this morning, the dustballs under my bookshelves, the unmade beds in my children's room, and the little spot that I just noticed on my shirt that could very well be baby poop. See why a deep thought would be a welcome change around here? Oh well. Maybe later.

Fly on the Wall

Things overheard at the Wicke house:

Logan: Mom? Why do you walk like that? With your bottom going back and forth?
Logan: Mommmmm...you're doing it again.

Griffin: (at 3am) Dad! My tooth just fell out!

Logan: I don't think Griffin is giving me enough respect, and I don't know how I'm ever going to be able to babysit if he doesn't show me a little more respect. He makes me feel, like a...like a...a...piece of garbage!

Logan: Oh--my--gosh, Griffin! (said ad nauseam)

Mom: Just a minute Griffin and we'll hear your side of the story.
Griffin: Well, one time a loooong time ago...but you said I could tell my story!

Griffin: Dad! I'm making toast on my lamp!

Hero Watching

“I asked not my heart what it could, but what it ought to do.”

--Written by Abigail Adams to a friend

Mrs. Adams was a remarkable woman, and the kind of person I aspire to be. With her in mind, today I'm going to get busy doing what I ought to do.

Sleepcation

Once upon a time Mr. Wicke and I went on a short 4 day cruise. It was his anniversary present to me. What I remember most of that trip? I slept for the first two days. Really, really slept. Only got up for meals kind of sleep. I'm sure it wasn't the vacation Mr. Wicke envisioned.

In the years following, when I looked back on that little escape, I couldn't believe I had behaved in such a fashion. What a waste of a good vacation! Certainly I could have taken more advantage of the on board entertainment. Or enjoyed the view from the deck. Or maybe even given Mr. Wicke a little more attention. Poor fella! Frankly, I was a little ashamed of myself.

You see, I had forgotten. I didn't remember the bone-softening ache for sleep I had in those days. At the time, Griffin was one and Logan was three, and Mr. Wicke traveled out of town three days a week for work and school. Every day felt like a marathon. I'm remembering that feeling now. Now that I have been sleep deprived for awhile. I understand again that feeling of wandering around the house with my eyes open but my insides asleep. Partially here and partially not. That feeling of waking up and wondering when I will be able to sleep again. And 14 hours seems like a very long way off.

Boy, do I remember now. And I don't blame myself for that sleepcation one little bit. In fact, I think I need another one, and I'm looking forward to the time when I forget again how this feels.

Bill Says it Best

I have been alone with the children for four days. Four very long days and short nights. You know, I love my children, but times like this remind me that there is such a thing as too much togetherness. It also reminded me of this little gem from Bill Cosby. (If you watch it long enough, you might just learn Italian. Sorry. Couldn't find it without the subtitles.)



Welcome home, Mr. Wicke. Your children are still alive and thrilled to see you. So am I, my love. Now, tag. You're it for awhile.

Just Keep Swimming

The kiddos are in swim team this summer. For the last couple of summers, we have done a lot of swimming in our backyard and, of course, the kids have had lessons. I thought they were quite the little fish, and they are...Logan seems to be born for the water, but Griff? Well, let's just say he is more of a utility swimmer at this point than a finesse swimmer. He is only five, and I have to give the little guy credit. He is hanging in there!

At our first swim meet last Thursday, Griffin finished 7th in his heat of 8. I was thrilled, but when he asked what his purple ribbon said, I got a little nervous. I just knew that when he heard "seventh place" he would be disappointed. So I really sold it. In my most enthusiastic mommy voice I said, "It says 'City of Mesa Summer Swim League (silent drumroll) SEVENTH PLACE!'"

"Seventh place??" he repeated.

"Oh, no. Here it comes," I thought.

But before I could even head him off at the pass, he said,"Seventh place? I'm good!"

And that, my friends, is the winning spirit! I hope he keeps it always. Here he is in action:





I know it may look like he is drowning in that last shot, but never fear. That is just his winning, signature freestyle stroke.

Cookies on a Summer Afternoon

That Pain in my Neck

Thanks for the inquiries regarding my back situation. The official word is that I herniated a disk in my lower neck. (I believe it was between the c5 and c6 vertebrae) The pain in my shoulder and arm is coming from a pinched nerve. The good news is that it will heal. The bad news is that it will take 3-6 months.

However, I am already on the road to recovery. How do I know? Because that constant, radiating, horrid pain is vastly better. I have to be careful not to overdo because then I pay for it a bit, but otherwise I am doing very well. Off all the pain meds now, which is indicative in and of itself.

I have to give a lot of the credit to my brother-in-law, Doug, who is a physical therapist and did some kind of voodoo that he do so well on our trip to the lake. I came home feeling miraculously healed, but in addition to the magic he performed, he gave me some exercises to do, which I know have been helping.

Now, thanks to you, Mr. Magic Hands, when I refer to the pain in my neck, I'll only be referring to my children. Just kidding.

Pros and Cons of Summer

Pros of summer: I get to spend lots of time with my kids.

Cons of summer: I get to spend lots of time with my kids.

Like Dickens said: It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. During the summer I get to do a lot of things with my kiddos that we don't have time for in the school year. Already we have been to the library--twice, started swim team practices--every day, been on a trip to the lake, started co-op summer school classes, had family to visit, started daily chores, and today I'm teaching them how to make cookies. That's a lot in just two weeks, and I'm grateful for this extra time. Grateful to really get a chance to mother.

But I'd be lying if I didn't say that I hate the bickering that accompanies it. And trying to get them to listen is like trying to capture a butterfly. Their attention flits in every direction.

And I may have realized why public school was instituted in the first place. I was talking to another mom at swim team practices and she was saying how behind in laundry she was. "I thought since we'd be swimming so much during the summer that there would be less laundry to do!" I'm in the same boat, but the thing is between the extra activities, the extra lunches to make, the extra referee-ing, and the extra entertaining that is necessary with all of this free time, I find I have very little free time of my own.

I don't think I'm alone in this. (Jeez, I hope not!) I for one am going to try to remind myself that this time is precious. It is so fleeting, and I will never be able to get it back. Maybe I can put up with the bickering if I remember that it is not forever. Not even close. And maybe a little alone time once in a while may help too! Movie night, anyone?

It's that Time of Year

Wouldn't you love to spend some time here??? Gorgeous!

Trinity College Library

I'm putting some thought into my summer reading program again. On the list so far?

David Copperfield
John Adams
Team of Rivals

That's not a complete list, so I ask:

What are you reading?

Back Update

You people are nice. Thanks for your concern about my recent back trouble. Yesterday I spent 4 hours at the imaging place. 4 HOURS!!! Ugh. By the time I left I was starving and my nursing breasts were about to explode! I didn't know who to feed first, myself or my baby. My stomach won. But, in my own defense they haven't created nursing drive-thrus.

Anyway, now that it's done, I will see the orthopedist today at 11. I'm hoping something can be done for the pain. Please!