A bathroom stall, no lock and a 2-year-old. Not a good combo.

Yesterday I had one of those experiences about which you can laugh hysterically… after the fact.

You know what I mean?

I took William to his karate class, and brought Alexander along, too. All 3 of us had to use the bathrooms before class began. So we booked it real quick to the restrooms.

The only restrooms that were unlocked were the “kid” bathrooms. Oh yes, that means stalls that even I am taller than (I’m 5′ tall) and toilets that are about 1 foot off the ground.

So being 8 months pregnant, you can imagine how fun this was.

William decided to go all by himself in a separate stall, “like a big boy.”

Alexander had to come in with me.

As I turned to lock the stall, I noticed it was busted. It wouldn’t latch. So I showed Alexander how to hold the door shut so nobody would get in.

I tried to make it like a “big adventure” for him… I guess that was my first mistake, asking my 2-year-old to hold the door shut while Mommy went to the bathroom.

Well, guess who decided to let go of the door and run off to play in the sink while I was going to the bathroom?

Oh yes, Alexander.

And guess who had to lunge at the door mid-(TMI alert!)stream to grab the door?

Oh yes, me.

I could hear William laughing from his stall and saying, “Look Alex, Mommy peed on the floor!” (Remember, I’m 8 months pregnant… there are some things that cannot be stopped when you’re at this point.)

And my 2 boys thought it was, hands down, the funniest thing they had ever seen and said.

So I quickly finished up, began to clean up the little mess… and as I was doing it some other moms started to come in with their kids.

I was on the floor with paper towels, cleaning up. What could I do? What could I say?

(Oh Alex, honey I’m so sorry…) I actually said, “My middle guy is just learning to go potty and he had a little accident.”

That’s right, I blamed my son.

Of course, every mother gave me that “oh-we-have-been-there-with-our-kids” smile and asked if they could lend a helping hand.

I assured them I had it under control.

But really, I’m not so sure about that! 🙂

– Audrey

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Hello BOYS!

I had my 32 week check-up appointment today.

The nurse took a sonogram photo of Henry that is (ahem…) priceless.

And… well, absolutely confirms BOY.

That’s right- top left portion of the photo says it ALL (I zoomed in).

– Audrey

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10 weeks. But who’s counting?

I’m 30 weeks pregnant. That’s right, 10 weeks to go.

Actually only 8 1/2 weeks to go since I am having a planned c-section a week and a half early.

Apparently having a baby every year for 4 years in a row has wreaked a little havoc on my (shall we just say) “down there.”

So as I’m ringing in these last weeks… I’m beginning to crave some things from my “old” self.

Here’s the list:

(1) Coors Light. 2 of them. Or 3, 4, 5, 6…
(2) Sushi. Ahh… sushi. Tuna rolls, spider rolls or ANY special from Ruby Foo’s in NYC.
(3) Swordfish. Lobster. Tuna. After all, I do live in RI, the Ocean State!
(4) FULL COLOR BLONDE DYE JOB. You know, to match my sons.
(5) Margaritas. On the rocks, with salt.
(6) Running. Hard running.
(7) Swimming. Like actually being on a Master’s Team swimming.
(8 ) Spray Tans. Oh yes, no sun for me… spray me up, baby!
(9) My clothes. Oh, my clothes that I spent so much money on while living in NYC. You haven’t been touched… or some of you even de-tagged! I will be seeing you soon.
(10) Heels. My 4 inch heels. All sitting in my closet in a perfect row.
(11) Sledding. Ice skating. And skiing.
(12) Bikinis. ‘Cuz this mama ain’t wearing a bikini 8 months pregnant!

So here’s my 12.

And let me just say… being pregnant William, Alexander, Benjamin and now Henry has been a blessing, a privilege and a joy beyond joy. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for my boys. There is nothing I would not give up. Nothing.

But I’m ready for these boys to see another side of who their “mama” is!

And yes, for all those family members who keep asking me… I haven’t been daunted yet by pregnancy and will do this at the very least – one more time.

We’re just going to put a few years between Henry and that baby-to-be! (Wink! Wink!)

And honey… Number 13, well… that’s between you and me!

So mamas (or mamas-to-be) out there, what are some of yours? When you were pregnant or while you are pregnant… what do you miss?

– Audrey

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It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to

Yesterday we celebrated Benjamin’s 1st birthday.

When I arrived at Audrey’s house, family and friends were talking and laughing, gathering together around the food counter or in the living room or down in the basement.

Kids were running around the house in packs, planning kickball teams and donning their newly-made paper crowns.

There was excitement everywhere. And then I spotted the birthday boy.

Benjamin was clinging to my dad (his “Pop-up”) on the couch, while sitting on his lap. His big, round, blue eyes took everything around him in.

“Happy Birthday, Benja!” I exclaimed, giving him a big kiss on his rosy, just-asking-to-be-pinched cheek.

He gave me a little smile, but didn’t unclench his fingers from my dad’s shirt, and could barely keep his eyes from darting around, following every noise and movement he heard and saw.

He seemed to be thinking, “Why are all these people in my house, and more importantly, when are they leaving?”

It reminded me of one of Jerry Seinfeld’s stand-up routines, where once again, he was so spot-on with an observation about everyday life:

“To me, the thing about birthday parties is that the first birthday party you have and the last birthday party you have are actually quite similar. You know, you just kinda sit there…you’re the least excited person at the party. You don’t even really realize that there is a party. You don’t know what’s going on.

Both birthday parties, people have to kinda help you blow out the candles. You can’t do it…you don’t even know why you’re doing it. What is this ritual? What is going on?

It’s also the only two birthday parties where other people have to gather your friends together for you. Sometimes they’re not even your friends. They make the judgment. They bring ’em in, they sit ’em down, and they tell you, ‘These are your friends! Tell them thank you for coming to my birthday party.'”

Indeed, when it was time for us to all sing “Happy Birthday” to Benjamin, he glanced around with a look of horror at the two dozen or so people gathered around his high chair.

Our pitch was terribly off-key, but his quivering lower lip seemed to imply that that was the least of his worries.

When Benjamin’s eyes found my mom’s (his Grandma’s) face, he reached out to her hand, which seemed to calm him amidst the confusion.

“Grandma, I would rather be taking a nap right now,” he seemed to be telling her.

And as Audrey placed the cupcake with one lit candle in front of him, I couldn’t help but think that on any day other than his 1st birthday party, if Audrey were to hand him an object on fire, we would think she’s nuts. But on his 1st birthday, we just kind of expect him to rationalize the concept of a lit candle on a cupcake and know what to do.

My husband and I were among the last people to leave Audrey’s house at the end of the party. I saw Audrey look around at the empty pizza boxes, the bowls and cups and plates strewn about her kitchen and the new birthday gifts to put away.

But rather than looking like she was dreading getting her house back to normal, instead I saw a look of relief on her face. The party had gone off without a hitch. Everyone had a good time. And now the house was… quiet(er) again.

But no one had a look of relief as clear as Benjamin’s. I think for his next birthday, he’ll be more prepared.

And he’ll try to arrange his nap time accordingly.

– Jane

Cross-posted at New England Mamas

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A Happy Day…

Today is Benjamin’s birthday party.

But last night we got to celebrate our Benjamin with just our family…

And it was so nice being with my boys.

We pretty much had to bribe William and Alexander with chocolate cupcakes and chocolate milk if they would JUST look at the camera and smile! (Alexander bought into it more than William!)

Well done boys. Well done!

And just for that perfect family photo… my sugar-high boys were up till 11pm!

Off to prep for the party!

– Audrey

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Whispers from a husband… Part 1 and 2

Part 1 –

Monday night Matt and I took William and Alexander out to Target to get some birthday presents for Benjamin. Even though he’s turning 1 and I know he doesn’t know it’s his birthday… I still wanted to go without him to get the boys excited for his special day!

We found our toys for Benjamin in record time.

But then… we needed to stop by the Thomas Train section.

Then the Leap Frog games.

Then the Playskool toys.

And – of course – Hot Wheels, Spiderman, Transformers, Tonka and all the other car/truck/train/”bad guy” sections there were.

Trying to pry them away from the Toy Department was like prying a bee away from honey… nearly impossible.

Check out was crazy because, well… they were playing “swords” with the plastic buckets we got them. Yes, the buckets were the swords.

While in line a family with 2 girls were behind us. The girls were sitting in the cart amused, but slightly horrified by William and Alexander’s “playing.” They were sitting there each holding bathing suits. Quiet. Calm. And reserved.

The mother of the girls smiled at me and asked if I knew what I was having… to which I responded, “Yes, a baby boy.” She said, “Wow… you’re going to have your hands full.” To which I said, “Oh yes, and I have another one at home.” My husband grabbed me hand and smiled.

On the way to the car the boys wanted to race each other. Then proceeded to wrestle each other into the car. And then play the “I was in my car seat first game” over and over again.

For the first time every, my husband whispered to me, “God bless you. God bless you. 4 boys, under 4.”

Part 2 –

Last night we were all sitting around the living room while William and my husband played Star Wars Lego on XBOX.

(XBOX usage is a post within itself… will get back to this topic at another time!)

As we were all lounging around… William took one look at my feet and stated, “Your toenails are disgusting Mommy.”

(To which they are. I give him credit for noticing.)

But to which I responded, “Gee, thanks William. That’s not very nice to say to someone.”

In his 3-year old innocence he asked me, “Why?”

And through trying not to laugh (since seriously, my toenails are horrible looking) I explained to him why it isn’t nice to tell someone that they look “disgusting.”

After we chatted and he continued playing his game, I went into the kitchen to make myself something to eat… which is when I heard my husband take over the conversation.

As I was leaning against the kitchen wall, I heard it all go down…

He whispers to William, “Buddy… you never tell Mommy anything other than how beautiful she is. There’s nothing about your Mommy that is disgusting. She’s a beautiful Mommy, with beautiful everything, even toenails.” (Again, total lie about the toenails, but I’ll give me props!)

Ahh… my hero. My handsome-husband-hero!

(It’s a good thing I’m already pregnant with baby #4… !)

– Audrey

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Grandma’s Home!

Let me tell you…

There is nothing in the world quite like being a grandmother.

Maybe being a princess. A queen. A fairy Godmother.

But I think even these “vocations” simply cannot compare.

Take last evening, for example. Audrey and her little family had traveled to visit her husband’s family in Pittsburgh for the Easter holiday. I know the kids had the most wonderful time coloring eggs, visiting the Easter Bunny, celebrating with their other grandparents, aunts and extended family and friends.

But I know that a 10-hour car trip home is, well, a 10-hour car trip.

They started out at around 8:30 am. I followed their travel progress by way of text messaging. At around 4:00, Audrey text messaged me that she was starving (and being 27 weeks pregnant and having 3 kids in the car… well, “starving” takes on a whole new meaning), and could I please deliver dinner to her family when they arrived.

Now, if you know Audrey, you know that she LOVES food. We joke that Audrey starts thinking about dinner right after breakfast. She has been this way since she began talking.

Anyway, it just so happens that I had lots of leftovers from Easter dinner. So when I texted (is this a word?) that I had turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potatoes, Dad’s special homemade gravy… and even fresh grilled swordfish for her husband, she texted back “Bless Your Heart!” Believe me, Audrey would have driven back to Pittsburgh if I had texted that I would bring her a cheese pizza.

But I digress.

We live less than a mile from Audrey’s home, so my husband and I timed our arrival very accurately. My husband is a great cook and a great fan of delectable leftovers, so the “dinner” was like his crown achievement.

But what can supersede this?

A 2-year old grandson, hearing the click of the storm door, running (no, racing) around the corner from the living room to the kitchen excitedly, “Grandma’s home! Pop-up’s home!”

His 3-year old brother racing right behind… “Grandma and Pop-up!”

And their 1-year old brother breaking from a walk to a crawl to catch up to his brothers.

Oh, my. Princess? Queen? Fairy Godmother?

No, just call me Grandma. Any day!

– Sharon

Speaking of being a Grandma, you’ll soon find me posting on Type-A Mom as a “Grandmothering” Editor!

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Beware the “ills” of March…

March came into my home like the proverial lion. Or, in basesball lingo, like a line drive.

A line drive to the head. Eyes. Throat. Tummy.

Come on, March. What was up with all the pink eye during the first week. William, Benamin, me, then my mom. Big time meds.

But wait. Then Benjamin again. And me. And my mom.

Then the second week. Oh yeah. March on! Sore throats. Bronchial coughs. Nasty, runny, can’t even describe it green. Not St. Patrick’s green either. Same victims, plus Alexander, my husband, my father, Jane’s husband, and my grandmother. Luck ‘o the Irish?

Even bigger time meds.

Third week. Tummy flu. Alexander was its worst victim, but I’m waiting for the quadruple hit.

How many loads of sheets can one mama do? How many droppers of meds can one mama administer? How tired can one mama be?

So here we are, recovering…

Come on, March. Leave like a nice little lamb.

Or at least a nice little bunt down the third base line when all the runners advance and everyone is SAFE!

– Audrey

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What does it take…

… to get all 3 boys and Mom and Dad together on the couch for a photo?

Somehow maneuvering a way to get Alexander away from my Nana’s 89th birthday cake.

Getting Benjamin to sit still for 2 seconds.

Matt and I sitting down… together.

Keeping the climbing boys away from my growing tummy… and Henry!

And deciding that William will not give up that laptop – and we’re okay with it being in the photo. 🙂

A photo of the 5 of us. All together.

Ahhh… priceless.

– Audrey

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Wordless Wednesday – VOTING DAY!

Audrey’s husband took William and Alexander to vote with him yesterday. He’s VERY into the whole political process, so he wanted to take photos of the boys during this exciting election.

So…

He sent the photos to CNN and MSNBC last night…

And guess who made it on both sites!?

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