Pat-Catters and Brubbers

The title here is in reference to "Jackenese" spoken in our house - it's so funny that as Jack talks more and more, we have to be more alert about listening and translating. Pat-catter = caterpillar, brubber - brother, and he substitutes "m" for "n", so knees = mees (head, shoulders, mees and toes) and phone = foam (a foam! a foam is ringing!)

We're doing great. We had a busy, fun week. Tuesday was our Music Together class, Wednesday we did "art playgroup" at Jodi's house, and Thursday we had a tree service come to prune and take down some trees - Declan and Jack played on the back porch and were fascinated with the tree crew climbing the trees and all of the loud power saws. A live show. Then, last Friday I had a wonderful day with the boys running errands. Yes, errands and wonderful day in the same sentence! Declan fell asleep in the car and somehow I managed to transfer him into the stroller without waking him up, so Jack and I went to Target and Osk Kosh, and he just trotted along beside me, keeping me company. Then when Declan woke up I took the boys for pizza - Jack in the booth next to the window and Declan in a highchair - and then we went grocery shopping, the boys riding in the car in the front of the cart. A quick pit stop at Toys R Us to buy more balls for the ball pit. They were wonderful company and we accomplished so much, and it was such an empowering feeling to be able to run in and out of stores with two kids.

And, speaking of empowering, yesterday was the first time we really did the "babysitter" thing - meaning a non-family member watching the boys while Javier and I went into the city to have lunch with Jess and Brett. Shelby MacMillan from next door came over from 11-3, and the boys did great, and I feel like I had a real date with my husband. Awesome. We met Jess and Brett at Mercadito in the east village and ordered the all you can eat tacos, which were declicious, and I had two margaritas which made me loopy. But it just felt great to be out and free on a warm beautiful day, eating good food and drink with old friends, laughing. When we got home the boys hadn't napped yet so we had the added benefit of all being able to rest for awhile.

Declan is really coming into his own. I think the ear surgery has really helped him, he's not as clingy and doesn't whine as much, which I think is an indicator that he just feels better in general. Overall he's such a happy kid and just toddles around after Jack (and sometimes Jack follows him around) - and he's becoming a good sleeper which makes me so happy. At night I give Dec a bottle (maybe 4 oz, soon going to switch this to a sippy cup) and then pop in the pacifier (I've given in on this one) and we read "Goodnight Moon" two times, then switch off the light and we cuddle for a few renditions of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" while he gets sleepy, and then I put him in his crib and as I leave he picks up his head and cries for about 5 seconds after I walk out the door - then he's down for the night.

Today mom is coming - she'll watch Jack while I take Dec to get fitted for ear plugs - and then I'm looking forward to doing a couple of projects around the house (hanging pictures, putting away winter clothes) and doing some work for the hospital.