Bonkers anyone?

It's been a busy, crazy month so far and I'm ready for it to slow down. I get to a point where I don't like the month of December. I love the fact of what Christmas means and stands for but I get irritated with the hustle and bustle of life.

I tell myself every December that I will be on top of things, that I will not wait for last minute gift shopping, but every year something comes up. Something that is unavoidable.

So for the sake of my children, I will make this a great Christmas by showing them that it is better to give that to receive, but most of all, that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Enough of a pity party. I'm good.

The boys have been driving me bonkers lately. Yesterday was a bad bonkers day.

The boys wake up and they rough play which usually results in someone crying.

They start school and AB is staring at the wall, or out the window with a blank stare. While UB is whining over not remembering what he had learned a month ago. Then AB starts scribbling all over the big pink eraser while UB starts to dump his crayons out because he'd rather draw than do math.

I send them outside, in this cold weather, and they end up fighting over who gets to ride a certain bike.

After lunch, it's reading time. AB picks a spot to read and is quietly reading, while UB sits on my lap to read to me. UB is finished before AB, so he goes off to play. At least that's what I think he does. That is, until I see a head bopping up and down as I sit on my bed folding laundry. I look down and there is UB, doing some yoga poses on the yoga mat. After the allotted time to read, they rough play some more. And they end up crying. Both of them this time.

AB goes to play on the computer while UB decided to use the bathroom. So when he comes out, I notice that my femenine pads are opened and in the trash. I ask him what he was doing with them and he says just playing. I tell him that they are for girls only and I stop myself from telling him that they are special napkins because I sure don't want to see those special napkins at the dining table when we actually need napkins. He then runs to AB and tells him that he was playing with mom's big band aids. (deep sigh)

I'm still doing laundry when I hear UB laughing. I go in my bedroom to see what is going on and I see my chihuahua's bed and blanket in the shower and my poor chihuahua shaking like a leaf, terrified of UB. I save her for the second time that day.

I send him to his room, but he stops at the Christmas tree to turn on and off the lights because he wants to see the lights blink. After I get on to him, he keeps the tree lights off because he says he doesn't want to waste the battery. (another deep sigh)

My mom had given us a bread machine as an early Christmas present so we tried it yesterday. AB wanted to make pretzels. When the machine beeped that it was time to get the dough out, UB decides to push the button again and the machine turns on to start the process all over again.

I get to it in time, take it out and am about to let the boys make the pretzel shapes when I see that there is about a pound of flour on my countertop. There stands AB, with a grin on him face, telling me he's ready to roll the dough in the flour and form the pretzels. He says that is how Emeril does it.

Now, it was just flour on the countertops I wouldn't be so flustered, but the flour was on the flour, on whatever else was on top of the countertops, but most of all, on the boys. (another deep sigh)

When they finish forming the pretzels, they decide they want to put cinnamon and sugar on a couple of the pretzels. Before I could react, they had already tag teamed each other and were making the mix. So now I have flour, cinnamon and sugar all over my floor.

We put the pretzels to bake and the boys went off to play while I went to finish the laundry. I figure the mess in the kitchen can wait a while.

As I sat there, folding laundry, I realized that it wasn't about me. I was making memories with the boys. That even though they weren't doing things the way I would have done them, they are learning. I have to remember that I was once a kid.

So as the boys continue to do things that drive me bonkers and make me speak in Spanish to them during those times,that probably to them sounds like I'm speaking in tongues, I will thank the good Lord for those opportunities I have with them.

Ramblings

UB was complaining of his chest hurting on Wed. night. His asthma has been pretty bad due to the weather. By late Wednesday night, he had a fever of 101. During the middle of the night, it had gone up to 102. I gave him a breathing treatment and a dose of Tylenol. By the morning it was at 100. I called and made him a doctor appointment.

When UB woke up at 1 am, I had a hard time going back to sleep, so I stayed awake. Praying about everything and anything. I think I dosed for a while then woke up at 7. Hubster's alarm had not gone off so off I went to get him up. While making him breakfast, I noticed the temp on the fridge was not correct. The items in the fridge were sweating and they were getting warm while the items in the freezer were defrosting. I started to take the stuff out of the freezer to put elsewhere. Then I put the stuff in the fridge in the freezer.

I called the repair guy to come see what was wrong with the fridge. I was tempted to just unplug and then plug it back in. But someone, no names (Hubster) told me not to. I should have just listened to myself.

It brought me back to the days of when I used to travel as the training supervisor for Wal-Mart. When I'd get all the new equipment unloaded and put in it's proper spots, I'd have to start it up. When the main office equipment wasn't working, and after I tried everything I could (including unplugging then plugging back in) I'd have to call in to Network Support. The only problem I had with those people was that they were computer knowledgeable people. People that I couldn't really understand. Literally.

Their first question, always, was "Is it plugged in?" Hmmm, well, I would have never thought to do that. Seriously, what kind of question was that? Duhhhh

So I would have to pretend to do what the person was asking me to do. But since most of the times I couldn't understand them anyway, it really didn't matter.

They would tell me to plug it, unplug it, move it to another plug, change chords and on and on. Crazy stuff that after wasting 2 hours of my time, they would come to the conclusion that I had originally called in with. The equipment was defective and I needed a new one.

Well, yesterday, when the repairman showed up, he started removing all the panels. Checked everything possible with the gadgets and could not find anything. I should have just unplugged it while the fridge was out.

After an hour of no answers, he reset the control panel and left. Wouldn't you know it, it started working again.

On the bright side, my fridge is as clean as the day I bought it.

It seemed overwhelming during this time. Dealing with the stuff laid out all over my kitchen and every space imaginable; dealing with calling places to find grout for my shower; dealing with making sure UB was OK; dealing with cooking all the food I had in my fridge so that it wouldn't spoil; dealing with trying to clean the house so that no one else would get sick.

But then Hubster came home and told me a story of a person he knew. A sad story. I thought I was having a bad day, but this story made me realize that my issues were petty. So I made the best out of the situation. Loaded everything back into the fridge, washed the dishes, mopped the floor and did only what I could.

My fridge situation was not bad after all. So what that I had to clean it. So what if I had to actually cook something. So what if I had to sweep and mop what seemed like 20 times just to clean up the mess on the floor.

Going back to UB. The Doctor said that he had the flu. Prescribed him some tamiflu and off home we went. But not before I picked up some cheap Chinese for Hubster and myself.

UB never whines, gripes or complains when he's sick. He'll do his usual kid griping but nothing major. I had no clue his throat and ears were hurting. Or that his head throbbed. He is a quiet sick kid. Unlike the other one. The other one can have a hurt finger and it's the end of the world.

So today I will do nothing. At least in my mind I will do nothing. But in reality I will tend to a sick child, wash load after load of laundry, spray Lysol on all of us, and wish that I could take a nap to make up for my lack of sleep for the last two days.

All is good......

Well, how do you say it then?

The boys speak in two different, distinct slangs.

AB doesn't have one and UB has an Okie, Mexican slang.

Being from Texas, we say y'all, wanna, dontcha, yontoo and several more.

AB thinks he's from some upper class Okie area. He only speaks in complete sentences and corrects those that don't.

UB on the other hand, likes his slang.

He speaks just like the Okie's do. With a Mexican twist.

I try to encourage him to speak in complete sentences and use proper words because as much as I like my friends from Oklahoma, their hick slang is rubbing off on UB.

For example, people here say "I done did that" instead of "I already did that"

Or "let's go that a way" or how about "We done gone". Done is a very popular word 'round here.

And UB adds his hick language as well.

The sentence "The first man was Adam" is said in UB language "Thu fuirst ma-yn wus Aeedum"

With a strong Mexican accent finishing it all up.

So I guess I need to work on his English before he goes off to college because then he'll be telling his professors, "Y'all know I dun diyd thaut, so leut's go fiind the ma-yn thaut stole my horse. He dun goun and weynt that a way."

Heaven

Scene: Kitchen where I am washing dishes and UB is sweeping for me

UB: Mom, when I die, I want to be in Heaven with you

ME: How do you get to Heaven?

UB: You have to go to church first

ME: Church?

UB: Yes, you go to church in that big box when you die

Hmmmmm!

The cheese stick that wants to be a light saber

I've been playing catch up today. You know, catch up with the dishes, especially the cups, that seem to multiply throughout the day. Catch up with the laundry that tried to overtake my bed. Catch up with the food that seems to be doing it's own science experiment in my fridge.

AND, I didn't go to the store to buy food for my chihuahua. I'll have to make her a gourmet dinner or something.

I wanted to thank you all for praying for baby Hannah. The last update we got was that they were taking the tubes out and were weaning her off the meds. Please continue to pray for her and her family. She will be there a minimum of two weeks before they let her come home.

But here's a funny story. UB took him a snack to karate. Since he doesn't do karate yet, he thinks he needs to eat while we are there. He took him a healthy little snack today since I haven't gone to the store to buy unhealthy snacks.

Before we went to karate, I had to drop some books off at the library. AB makes the drop for me and then we drive over to the next place.

UB is frantically looking for his cheese stick. Blaming AB for not being able to find it. He's worried that he won't have anything to eat and now he's going to starve. "How can I watch karate and not have a snack mom?" was his question.

We arrive at our destination and I help him look for this cheese stick that needs to be eaten. After about ten minutes, he looks at me innocently and says "Mom, now I remember. I put the cheese stick in the middle of the book to mark the page I was looking at. I think it's at the library".

So right now, there is a lonely little cheese stick stuck in the middle of a Star Wars book, pretending to be a light saber while it fights with Darth Vader.

UB and his costumes

UB also enjoys to ride his dirt bike, but he doesn't have to do it all the time. He prefers to be a superhero.

The other night, he stayed home with Hubster and I while AB went to eat with a friend. He was watching a power rangers show of some sort. I went to do something and when I came back, I noticed he wasn't there. I asked Hubster where he was, "don't know" he said.

A little while later UB comes in wearing his power ranger costume. Looking all studly I might add.

He will wear this costume all day long. During school, superhero's want to learn too you know. He'll put it on when he wakes up, wear it all day and then take it off to take a shower. It's not just this costume. It's the ninja one, the spiderman or even the thing one.

He even wore it on our trip to Wal-Mart. But AB gets embarrassed and asked him if he really needed to wear it inside the store. No, he says, I'll take it off in the car, then put it back on when we get back into the car. AB looked relieved.

See, there's a power ranger riding his bike. He's showing me how fast he can ride.
After he has showed off, he has to smile and pose.

"Do you like my big muscles mom?"

I wanna hold your hand

I have never really been a huggy, touchy, feely kind've gal. My mom used to make me give hugs and kisses to my family during get-togethers. Sometimes I would just hide until all the greetings were done and then I'd come out. I like my space. As I get older, I'm still that way, but not so much. I'm okay with friends and family, but when strangers aproach, my guard goes up and I want my space.

AB is like me. He is not a huggy, touchy, feely kind've guy. Every once in a while he will sit on your lap or give you a hug and kiss without you asking for it, and when he does, I take full advantage of it.

UB is totally opposite of AB and myself. I'm not sure he even gets it from Hubster. If you had a pouch like a kangaroo, that is where UB would be. He is my affectionate boy. He gives hugs and kisses for no reason. He wants a hug and a kiss when we drop him off somewhere. He is not afraid to say I Love You real loud. He even tells AB he loves him all the time.

He is also the one that wants to sit on your lap when you are outside in the 100 degree heat. He wants to hold your hand and give you hugs and kisses during this time as well. We are all sweaty and hot and sticky and he doesn't care, he just wants affection.

For the last 2 or 3 weeks, the boys have been having games at the same time on the same day. Since Hubster is AB's coach, they head off together and I stay with UB. When I drop UB off at the dugout, he says "hug and a kiss mom". He isn't embarressed. He smacks me a big one in front of all his friends.

Last night was one of those ball game nights. No one was watching AB at his game because Hubster is out of town. I stayed with UB and was the dugout mom because I'm a sucker. After UB's game, we were walking to the field where AB was playing. UB reaches up and holds my hand. That's another thing he does. He wants to hold your hand all the time.

As I looked down at him, I almost withdrew my hand. Not because I didn't want to hold his hand, but it was ninety something hot, I was sweaty, sticky, thirsty, hot and cranky. And his hands were sticky from the snow cone they gave him after the game.

But I didn't withdraw my hand. Because at that point I realized that he might not want to do that much longer. I know there will come a time when he won't want to hold my hand, or give me hugs and kisses anymore, but in the meantime, I'll take full advantage of his affection in public.

Asleep at the Wheel

I was mowing the front 4 acres of our land. While I was finishing up, the boys were riding their dirt bikes. Hubster made them a small track in the front of the house and that's where the boys ride their dirt bikes.

Well, while I was mowing across the track, I noticed that UB's head was bobbing. I continued to look and his head would jerk back up. This happened for a while. I even stopped the mower on the side of the track and looked at him as he rode by me. His eyes were looking a little droopy.

When I realized that he was probably falling asleep on his dirt bike, I panicked. At this time, he was riding on the track towards the road. I had all these bad visions go through my head at the time. Thoughts of him dropping his bike with him on it, or of him riding straight onto the street and a car zooming at that particular moment and hitting him, or of him riding straight onto the barbed wire fence and hurting himself.

I couldn't just run, since I was close to the house, and the mower was probably not fast enough, so I just prayed that he would make it back around the track safely. I got off the mower and ran to wait for him by the side of the track. He stopped when I told him to and I asked him if he was tired. He said yes. I asked him if he was falling asleep, he said yes. He didn't hesitate to get off the bike and waited for me to give him a ride to the house on the mower.

New meaning to falling asleep at the wheel, or should I say handle bars.

My son......Hammy

If you saw the movie Over the Hedge, then you are familiar with Hammy. The ADD squirrel that is non-stop. We used to say that AB is Hammy, but when UB is on medicine, he is Hammy. UB has seasonal asthma. When the weather has been as unpredictable as it has lately, his asthma goes into full throttle. Not to mention the pollen and mold count outside. Pretty soon, the cottonwoods are going to be blooming, if they aren't already, and that will kick his asthma again.

He's on a medicine that makes him go from happy.....................................

to sad........................ All in a split second. I feel bad for the kid. School has been impossible with him during this drug time. I'm ready for this season to be over so that he can stay off this med.

When he's done crying, he'll be happy again and go back to being Hammy. It's a vicious circle I tell you.

This is how his conversations go. Usually one sided and all in one breath.

AB: "mom, mom, I know how to spell 70. Moooooommmm, I know how to spell 70. You spell it with a 7 and a D. 70. That's how you spell it mom. Moooooommmm, did you hear me? I know how to spell 70."

Right after that conversation he changes topics. This time, while he's chasing the chihuahua and trying to tell me a story, all in one breath.

AB: "mom, did you know that AB didn't wash his hands again after he used the bathroom? He always does that mom. Isn't that gross mom? Why does he do that mom? Mom, did you know that I'm faster than AB? I can run a lot faster and AB can't catch me. I think it's because he has dirty hands, right mom? (to AB) go wash your hands because you didn't wash them and they are dirty. Use soap. He has to use soap right mom? Mom, smell my hands. I washed them with soap. They smell good right mom? It's because I wash my hands after I use the bathroom."

The conversation continues until I either walk away of change the topic.

The other problem that he has with this med, is the fact that he doesn't sleep much. UB likes to sleep, he's always liked to sleep. When he was a baby, I called the Dr. to ask him if it was normal that a baby sleep a lot. He still sleeps a lot. He's the one that sleeps in (8:30 or 9). Or I should say, used to sleep, because now he wakes up very early. Sometimes even at 5:30 and can't go back to sleep.

I'm so ready for his asthma to go away. In the meantime, I'll just try to keep Hammy from ruining my house.

Look ma, I'm a land owner!

Last week, we attended a Land Run. It was put on at a museum. It was actually quite wonderful. Mainly because someone else was doing the teaching for the day.

The land run was for area homeschooler's. They divided the kids into two classes. Either art or music. This was the group they were to be in for the remainder of the session which lasted about 4 hours and included lunch. We moms were very proud of our children because the museum people kept telling us how well behaved they all were and that these were the best groups they had ever had. We moms all paid the ladies after that comment.

After their art or music project was done, they were going outside to do the actual land run. The kids had all been told stories about certain women and how they reacted to the land run. They were also told when this happened and other stuff that happened during the land run.
The museum people had marked some land outside with the paint sticks you get when you buy paint. Each stick had a tract of land written on it and when the kids got their 'stick' from their land, they were to take it to the ladies so that they could actually get a piece of paper telling them what plot of land they had.

It was fun and the kids loved it. Well, because of that land run, UB thinks that he is an official land owner.

Now, in school, when I tell him to do his school, he shows me his stick that shows his plot of land on it and says "I don't have to because I'm a land owner".

Anyone need a five year old that is a land owner?

Where is Heaven?

Conversation with my 5 yr old.

UB: Mama, where is Heaven?

ME: Heaven is where God is. We can't see Heaven.

UB: I know where Heaven is.

ME: You do?

UB: Yes. You go above the clouds and onto the sky and then you go to outer space and Heaven is somewhere in the galaxy.



Makes sense to me.

The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that's the book for me

When it's time to play, UB knows that it's important to carry not only his gun for protection, but his Bible in it's own special cover for more protection.

Especially if he's going to be involved in a gunslinger's fight. These meetings start off friendly enough.
But then they all start running for their lives and it's every man or woman for himself.

Those battles can get out of hand, but there is nothing to fear, because everyone knows that wherever UB is, his gun and Bible are right there with him.

"Wait for me guys, I just need to get my Bible."

UB and his awesome Spiderman flipper floppers

Being the second boy born is tough for UB. Especially because he usually just gets hand me downs. Now, I don't have a problem with that. It saves me money. And UB doesn't have a problem with it either.

Hand me downs are what UB gets when it comes to clothes, shoes, underwear, toys and anything that his brother or his friends or cousins can't use anymore. UB gets very excited when someone gives him 'used' stuff.

We were going through AB's clothes that had been up in the attic. UB was wanting to put everything on that he saw. At one point he had on two shirts, a pair of shorts and some water shoes (with socks). He wanted to go play outside just the way he was dressed. Nevermind that it was only 40 degrees outside. The only way he was talked into changing was to tell him he couldn't ride his dirt bike without jeans on. So the shirts stayed on, but he changed his pants and shoes.

Recently, he was given these flipper floppers.

Spiderman is awesome mom! Is what I've heard lots of times since these flipper floppers joined our family. UB even said that they stuck to the walls. I wasn't sure what he meant, but upon further investigation, I realized that he thought because they were Spiderman shoes, that they stuck to the walls. He then proceeded to show us how it was done. But when the flipper floppers wouldn't 'stick' to the walls, he then said that all the sticky was out already. I just hope he doesn't try walking on the walls when I'm not around. Maybe I'll see him walking on the ceiling.

I'd better go put the tape and glue away.

UB wants to wear these shoes all the time. He was walking around here yesterday making loud noises on the floor while stomping around in his awesome shoes. Then because it was 'only' 36 degrees outside, he wanted to wear them out. Pretty soon he's going to be a typical Northener where he wears shorts, a sweat shirt and flip flops.

In the meantime, he will continue to wear his Spiderman flipper floppers around the house while continuing to see if they 'stick' to the wall.

What happens when your child turns 5?

Now that UB has turned five, he has a new perspective on life.

Just like we did when we turned five. We thought we were 'it'. We thought we knew it all. We wouldn't be considered a baby anymore, but yet, would still be young enough to get away with certain things.

When we sat down yesterday to do school, I got UB's book out and told him to open it to the page we were at.
He pushes it towards me and says "I'm not in pre-k anymore mom, I'm 5 now."
"Yes," I say as I push the book back towards him,"but you are still in pre-k."
"I'm supposed to be in Kindergarten now because I'm 5 mom." he says as he pushes the book back towards me.
"OK, if you want to be in Kindergarten, then you have to start reading today."
"It's OK mom, I can still be in Pre-K, because I only turned 5 the other day." pulls the book towards him and opens it to his page.

He hasn't only been using his 'age' for school.

He'll tell me a far fetched story and when I ask him how he knows he says, "because I'm 5"

I tell him to pick his toys up when he's done playing with them and he says, "I already know that because I'm 5"

I look for the change that I left in the bathroom and when I ask where it is he says," I put it in my room"
I ask why and he says "because I'm 5"

5 is going to be in alot of trouble this year.

My baby turns 5 today

Watch out people! There's a new Sheriff in town and he's 5 today!

We went to go buy UB's present yesterday, because I like to wait until the last minute. No, because Hubster has been working a lot lately and I just hadn't been able to go. Plus, I do like to wait until the last minute. That way if the boys change their minds on what they want for their birthday, I don't have to worry about it.

My friend went with us and she helped distract UB while AB and I purchased the gift, then went to put it in the car. I know that AB was excited about UB's birthday, but good grief, I made a mistake in letting him help me.

He didn't tell his brother what we bought him, but he kept telling him that he knew what it was. When we get home, AB wanted to know when we could wrap the present. He asked and asked until I finally got it through to him that when UB was in the shower, then we could do it.

The minute UB was in the shower, AB started saying "It's time to wrap mom, It's time to wrap".
Nothing I could do but get up from trying to relax and go wrap the gift. Then came the problem of where to put the gift. AB found a good hiding place and then proceeded to tell UB that it was in a specific location.

This morning, they woke up at 7am. Yippee for me. Hear the excitement in my voice?
UB wanted to know when he could open his gift. AB was telling him where the gift was. I got up to find this.

Now, I can hardly be mad when two brothers who fight a lot, sit quietly together on the couch acting like they love each other.

When dad got dressed, UB opened his present and this is what he got.

As I type these words, Darth Vadar or Darth Maul or Darth somebody and the Imperial something or other are waiting for me to build their ship that consists of 400 and some pieces.

I'm sure ya'll know what I'll be doing in between school lessons today. Playing Lego!!!

This Joy that I have, the world didn't give it to me.

UB gave himself a time out yesterday because he didn't want to clean his room. He was in his room while I put laundry away and he tells me this:

UB: Mom, I guess I'll choose joy.

Me: Good, joy is so much better than sadness.

UB: (after several minutes), Mom, it's just not working.

Me: What's not working?

UB: Joy, it's just not working

When the boys have an attitude I tell them to choose joy. Then we sing "J is for Jesus, O is for others, and Y-I-I-I-I-I is for You" They start to laugh after we sing that song.

I realized that I'm like UB lots of times. I want Joy to find me. I don't want to make an effort to find Joy. I want to continue to be mad, to be sad, to just be. I want Joy to come to me and say "Hi, I'm joy and I've come to take over right now".

And then I realize that Joy does come up to me, I just choose to ignore it. I'd rather wallow in self pity. But when I do let Joy in, how wonderful it is. Knowing that I am putting Jesus first and myself last.

In the book "Naked Fruit" by Elisa Morgan, she says this about Joy "The fruit of Joy is confidence in God no matter what happens."

So no matter what is happening, choose Joy and know that God is present.

Emergency Room visit

Good morning everyone! It is a cold, brisk 6 degrees out here. I'll just stay indoors all day today.

Well, UB and I went to the emergency room last night. He's got asthma, and although he's had several 'bad' fits, none as bad as last night. I gave him a breathing treatment at 3pm and he was fine until 7pm. I gave him another treatment at 7:30 and he wasn't getting any better. By 8 he was throwing up. So another treatment at 8:45. By this time he was having a hard time breathing due to the cough which in turn made him continue to throw up. By 9:30 it was time to go to the ER.

I probably should have taken him sooner, but he's not one to complain. I asked him if he was fine, he said yes. I asked him if he could breathe OK, he said yes.

I called my bff Lisa and told her I'm headed over to drop off AB so that I can take UB to the ER. AB was very helpful last night. When UB would puke, he took him a wet wash rag and ask "Are you OK buddy?" When we were loading up into the car he made sure we had the puke bucket just in case his buddy needed it.

I am not a good puke person. I gag and almost puke as well. Hubster is the puke handler. But Hubster was in Mesquite, TX and I had to handle the puke. I never had puke issues when I was pregnant. I would get queasy, but nothing else. So puke and I don't get along. Anyway, I actually did OK. No puke from me when UB was doing it.

On the way to drop AB off, UB is throwing up some more. Coughing quite frequently by this time and can't catch his breath. I start getting mad at myself. I should have taken him in earlier, I should have done this and that. But there was no point in beating myself up about it because what was done was done.

We get to the desk and sign in. It wasn't too busy. The lady notices that he can't breathe and is coughing a lot. She quickly gets on the phone and tells someone on the other end that they need to see him quick. They bring a wheelchair around and UB looks at it then at me. When they see these things at Wal-Mart, they are not allowed to play on them. I tell him it's OK and he hops on. He's pretty wore out.

They get him into a room and start a breathing treatment. Then they give him a steroid to open up his airways, then it's off to go get a chest x-ray. He was pretty pooped by 11pm. We were waiting for the nurse to discharge us and he was snuggled up on my lap. I was just thanking God for this little boy and all the he brings in to my life. I was thanking him for helping my little boy get better.

Needles to say, I didn't sleep much. I remember when I brought the boys home from the hospital after they were born. I would lay them down, but I would go see if they were breathing. Well, that's what I did all last night. He did wake up with a coughing fit at 2:30am and at 6:45 am. I gave him medicine and he was better.

It is such a scary and ugly feeling when your child tries to get some air to breathe and no matter how hard he tries he can't. It's even worse when you are helpless because there's not much you can do to help.

The family according to UB

UB made this drawing during art class the other day. It is a picture of his family. The portrait consists of the following from left to right- UB, mom, AB, dad-. I think I have a black eye and UB looks smug. UB said AB was mad because he wasn't in charge in this picture. Hence the smug look on UB's face.

Smell me pleeeeeaase!

The boys got some small bottles of cologne in their stockings for Christmas. UB somehow managed to get all three bottles from his brothers. Every day he approaches either me or his daddy and says" smell me". Sometimes I'm hesitant to do that because he can throw some mean stink bombs. But by the smell in the air, I can verify that it is not a stink bomb. It is the smell of lots of cologne on. This boy puts it on in the morning, before he goes outside to play, when he comes inside from playing, before he eats, before and after a shower and before bed.

It will be a sad day in this house when there is no more cologne to put on.

But then this is the same little boy who wants to wear his pants this way. This had started as a small, tiny little hole. Some people pay big bucks to wear clothes like this. Not me, no way, I just give some clothes to UB and he does the decorating.

What more do you want from a 4 yr old? Smelling good and looking good!!!!