Too Much Poop

If you weren't grossed out by the title, just wait!  I have been reading The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson for my class.  It's about the cholera epidemic in London in the mid 1800s.  Terrible tragedy, great book, really disgusting ruminations on sewage and the contraction of cholera (by ingesting other people's excrement).  Add to this great read the real life household of a baby in diapers and a potty-trained preschooler both dealing with various digestive issues and ewwwww!  The older has spent time on the toilet in vain (despite my best offerings of a balanced diet who are we kidding to assume that a three year old will actually eat what is best for him?) and the younger has had the opposite condition.  I finally switched from our usual cloth to disposable diapers yesterday because I could no longer handle the (seemingly) constant state of being up to my elbows in the stuff.  Okay, hopefully you've only wrinkled your nose a little at my description of our rash of poop problems and will keep reading with the promise of cute pictures.  Just one last tip from Davy on keeping entertained during his time in the bathroom.  Heard while Collin was changing Eddy's diaper:  "So Daddy, when I'm going poop I need to tell myself a story about Thomas and Rocky."

 

Despite the unseasonably warm and spring-like weather that we have been enjoying with walks to the library and time at the park, there are still plenty of hours of the day that require inside entertainment.  I've caught these sweet brothers together a few times this week just being great brothers and friends.  I love seeing them learn to love each other.  I also love watching--only for a minute, at least--Eddy learn the best ways to get under Davy's skin. 

Broke out the playdough.  Eddy is old enough to resist eating it now, and spent a good ten minutes quietly pulling his part into little pieces. Hey, that's just enough time to throw dinner together.  Success!

I also snagged another trash day item this week.  It's a dresser/book shelf for the boys room that is just what I wanted but didn't know I wanted until I spotted it on the side of the road.  I love cheap, lightweight furniture because then I can move everything around by myself without waiting for Collin to have time (and patience!) to help.  I always start a domino effect when I add a piece of furniture.  So I replaced the existing dresser (also an IKEA free trash day find from when we first got here 3 1/2 years ago and regretfully survived the fire) with the new find, moved the dresser to the mud room for shoes instead of the messy shoe shelf.  Then I moved an extra arm chair into the boys room so there is a comfortable chair for all of us to sit and read, moved another arm chair that had been clogging up our entry into the living room, which made room in the entry for the third book shelf that has been homeless and hanging out with no purpose.  Can't remember what else changed (I get on a role and it's a blur), but overall our house is much better and seems bigger!  Imagine that.  Adding a piece of furniture making the place seem bigger.  Collin couldn't believe it but I told him I am magic!  I love the feeling that my house is a giant puzzle and getting a piece that fits makes everything else make sense.  I think it's an inherited trait.  My mom and grandmother love houses--their own and other peoples.  And they both like puzzles now that I think about it.  And my paternal grandma moved every time she got things finished in her house.  On to the next project.  Boring when everything is just right.  Well, I certainly don't want to move for a while yet, so I appreciate that I have the chance every now and then to mix things up a bit at little or no cost to me!  (Collin's all for that too.  The no cost part, at least.  I bet it is slightly irritating to come home from work every few weeks and have to ask, "Now where is that thing I used to know the location of?")

Take a picture of me!

Davy built this lego/duplo man and asked me to take a picture of it.  Only too happy to oblige! 

For family movie night last night we tried the real people Peter Pan.  I'd forgotten how intense it is in places, but how charming and deep in others.  I really enjoyed it and Davy lasted through the whole thing, which is less common for live action than animated shows.  Eddy lasted as long as the popcorn.  He was very focused on getting the popcorn and sitting in the special movie chairs right, though.  He's growing up right before our eyes and wanting to be just like Davy in every way.  It's hard to be the oldest, I know, and have someone right behind you every step ruining your projects and games.  Davy is a great big brother overall.  He's learning patience (even reminding me to be patient) and Davy said to me this week, "If I hit my brother Eddy, that is not the solution."  So he's got the theory down.  Now for the application.  I have to remind myself that for every hit there are lots more hugs and smiles and laughs.  And just barely I heard Davy say, "I love my little tiny Eddy toy!"

Written by Davy, Illustrated by Eddy

Eddy "helping" unload the dishwasher.

Davy:  "Mom, sometimes I get really bored with getting in trouble."  After a laughing fit from me, "Mom, I made you laugh!"

Davy Skyping with family:  "It's my turn to talk."  Me:  "Davy, it's my turn.  Now please close your mouth and open your ears."  Davy:  "No, I want to open my mouth and close my ears.  It's my turn to talk and you need to listen."  Because my family was dying of laughter many miles away, he got his way and proceeded to monopolize the visit.

While reading a story about pigs Davy said, "Pigs are always naked.  That's so funny!"

Can you believe how grown up he looks?  I love my little man, but sometimes
I wish we still dressed our babies in gowns and bonnets
because then they seem more like babies longer!