Weekend Warrior

I’d like to say that I use the above term to describe how Leo has taken up mountain biking, rock climbing and other various adventurey type sports. But no. Leo has taken to beating up on his sister.

To be fair, I know this is normal (well, I’m told this is normal by Erin, who is an experienced older sibling). We’re not in seriously fear-for-her-life territory, it’s just constant pushing and shoving mostly. But it’s relentless. Ellie is fairly steady on her feet but one good push and down she goes. And thus begins the Ellie wailing. And boy can she lay it on thick. And did I mention the other fun activity? Pushing her down and the holding her down. What fun! I do have to wonder what it would be like to be her. To have someone constantly looking to do you harm. How must that feel? Then again, how must it feel to be Leo, to constantly have to share the limelight. I don’t think he remembers being an only child, but maybe he does? I hope that I am seriously over thinking this.

I find myself even more exhausted by the hooligans lately, with this new, violent phase. I know it’s an attention thing on Leo’s part, because he is a completely different kid when by himself (that is, when he’s one-on-one with either Erin or me). I am running out of ideas. The time-outs don’t work. The pattern is send him to time-out, “Leo say you’re sorry.” Then, two minutes later, shove Ellie, toddler tears ensue. Wash, rinse, repeat.

To be fair, he does have transient moments of sweetness. He still brings her a toy while she wails through diaper changes, just like he did when she was a newborn. He pats her on the back when she cries (ironically oftentimes the reason she is crying to begin with is because HE pushed her).

I leave you with a shot of Ellie at the mall play area (I know, ick, but it was cold and wet and I was desperate), taken on Sunday. I'll write more about that experience later. Leo refused pictures, using his best "no!" Exorcist-like voice (another fun new development!).

Mommy, Turkey socks, et all

It’s a bullet kind of day. Honestly, it’s been a bullet kind of week.

So, a few things:

-Ellie said “Mommy” to me this morning. She’s said “Mama” but that’s Erin’s name. I’m Mommy (dammit!). Leo has still never said it (he actually calls me “dee-dee,” don’t ask). But this morning, when I went into Ellie’s room to get her up for the day, she started chanting “Mommy, Mommy.” Very exciting!

-Poor Ellie has been exhausted the last few evenings, like so tired I think she could go straight to bed after dinner tired. Unfortunately due to work schedules/logistics, that’s not possible. It just really sucks that the only Ellie-time I get during the week is cranky Ellie time, in which she spends most of her time running over to me and throwing herself into my arms/the back of my legs, depending on whether I’m sitting or standing. She just collapses into a puddle of sad, exhausted, whiney toddler tears. Pathetic. I’ve asked them to try to put her down for an afternoon nap at daycare. Hopefully that will help.

-Leo’s almost done with the antibiotics for his ear infection but he is still complaining about the “bee” in his ear. And he has started SCREAMING, as in talking VERY LOUD. I know little boys are loud but this is ridiculous. So I think we’re dealing with some fluid issues. As I said, his ped pronounced one of his tubes “falling out so it’s not doing it’s job.” Great. We’re going to the ENT this coming Wednesday. I moved the appointment up.

-I am using all the strength I can muster to not spend $40 on socks and tights. I have a 20 percent off coupon for a great sock and tight website (I know, who knew?). I am doing what I usually do when I want to shop but not spend money, which is put all the stuff I want in my “basket” and then look at it throughout the day. Usually by the end of the day I don’t care so much. But socks are so fun! They always fit! And they are cheaper than shoes. And don’t even get me started on how much I love knee highs. I mean, really, aren’t these cute (minus the slutty mini-skirt of course)



And I know they're a little corny, but how adorable are these?
You may as well know I am a sucker for holiday themed socks. Yes I wore pumpkin socks leading up to and on Halloween and I'll wear Santa/reindeer/holly socks leading up to and on Christmas. Now i just need the turkeys to complete the trinity of late-year holidays...

-I am not enjoying the time change. It is dark as night when I leave my office. OK it is night. It was fine when I was on maternity leave/cozy at home. But commuting in the dark? Not so fun.

Doh'

I pulled out the Play-Doh last weekend. Ellie's first time. I wasn't sure she'd know not to eat it.


She only ate a little.


I think she wondered what the heck it was.


Leo, meanwhile, very much enjoyed himself. He was concentrating so hard on his little penguin that he looks a little like Frankenstein here. And I'm still not sure about his haircut. He looks a little Nazi-Youth to me. I ask, once again, where did these blonde children come from? And also, I just found out that people with Down syndrome never have curly hair? This is so strange to me. So, so strange. I realize this has nothing to do with Play Doh.

Baking with Leo

Leo and I made cranberry pumpkin bread on Sunday while Ellie napped. It was a lot of fun and I was so impressed by his attention span. He really wanted to be involved and stuck through the whole process. He loved counting cups and spoonfuls and pouring the ingredients in the big bowl.

The apron he's wearing belonged to my mom. I didn't plan it, I just grabbed it from the pantry closet and thought it was the perfect size for him (the only other apron I have is big so I wore that one). I thought it was sweet that he wore her apron. And he was almost as excited about that apron as he was about the helping make the bread. He insisted on wearing it for most of the afternoon.

One More

I think this is what Leo would have preferred to be for Halloween. He put this ensemble together all by himself on Saturday morning.

Halloween Pics

The best I could get of the two hooligans (Ellie's costume had been taken off). It's sweet that Leo puts his arm around Ellie without any encouragement. He loves to pose with her. Ellie does not feel the same way.

Ellie the Lion.

Leo checks out the decorations up close. We looked at these every night coming home.

Coming home and about to trick or treat.

Finally

The deed is done. The vote is cast. It was more stressful than I would have liked—no, not long lines, but they couldn’t find my name! In the book! I almost reached over and punched the guy in charge of signing people in but I tried to remain calm. Maybe it’s naive of me, but the thought of sitting on the couch tonight and watching the returns and knowing my vote wasn’t in the mix, well it just wouldn’t have meant as much. But my name was there, they just didn’t see it.

I don’t know if it’s because I feel like I’m more of a grown-up than I’ve ever been (two kids, mortgage, life insurance policy) or if it’s the state of our country, not to mention the world, or if it’s because I actually think my guy might have a chance in hell of winning, but. I have never been so engrossed in an election. It’s like the Oscars, the Super Bowl, the World Series, heck let’s thrown in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade too. I feel like we should all have the day off, that we should be allowed to just stay home and watch CNN and eat junk food all day. Instead, I’m listening to the news on my work computer. Not like there will be results but hey.

It’s easy to be cynical these days, in the light of the electoral college and vote count snafus, that your vote doesn’t count. Maybe it’s idealistic of me to think that my vote (and yours) matters, but I would still like to think it does. I have such vivid memories of walking with my mom down to Sunnyside Elementary School where she cast her vote for many an election. I love the idea of taking kids to vote, introducing them to the idea of democracy at a young age. My parents instilled in me that voting is a responsibility, you just do it. You don’t miss an election. I thought briefly of bringing the kids with me today but then I thought better. They’re too little this time around, but next time, for sure. That makes me wonder—will Leo vote? Who gets to decide if someone like Leo can or can't vote? Anyway…

I stayed up too late last night watching the “Saturday Night Live” election eve special. So freaking funny. Let’s hope I’m still laughing tomorrow.