Big Day

I have to start by saying it's a big day in lots of ways because of how it was preceded. Summer has been hard for Darren and I. Actually summer started by a great, yet tiring for us (because of jetlag, kids, and travel) holiday with family in southern CA, as well as visiting friends in SF. (Blogging about that is to come, soon I hope.) Following our trip though, we were recuperating from travel while dealing with Lu and Jesse together on summer break. This is great and, many times a day, not so great because they cause such a commotion, whether by their volume or action, in rage or happiness. ( I was watching them wrestling/tickling each other on the bus yesterday and was thinking, "Yeah, this is great--they have such a great time together, but the space invasion they create, not so good." Actually I wanted to strangle both of them. Unfortunately, I couldn't so I just deprived them of promised bubble gum.

Then there's today. Started with the usual pancakes, followed by the kids watching something, while we read the newspaper. Actually D had a meeting, so I continued on my own and the kids ended up playing really well together. Still wanted to turn the volume down but still, pretty good, and no violence. When D came home around 12:30, I really wanted to take J to Stepney Green to practice on his bike. So we did it--just Jesse and I, no baby even. I generally view these trial type things (swimming lessons, etc.) with great trepidation but instead of my fears being realized, J's attitude was great and he accomplished so much that I'm amazed at. Officially, as of today, Jesse rides a bike. He may not know how to use the brakes yet, but it's official none-the-less, complete with our new conundrum of what to do with the fact that this opens up a whole new world. It was not even 5 pm and Jesse was hanging out with the boys on his bike in the parking lot. (I don't like him in the parking lot but I have an exception for sports, where there is great fun to be had and a great number of people.) Darren and I have to think up some rules now........Anyways, I loved seeing the look of determination on Jesse's face as he realized he was riding all by himself. It's priceless to see the thrill and the pride in him.

When I got home from the date at the park with J, I had Luci time--because I wanted it, and Darren needed to go back to the park with J to see his accomplishments. So Luci and I did our nails. We did the full set for Lu and toenails for me in a raspberry color. I decided that painting Luci's nails is one of the best ways I can spend time with her. She loves it (hits all the girly spots) but it also is a good practice for her. This is because it requires her to sit still to be able to get something that she really likes. And even when it looks pretty, she has to wait even longer for it to dry. Somehow, she managed to smudge her big toenail on her left foot about 3 times but she made a good effort and perhaps sees just how wiggly she is. (I've realized lately how overwhelmed I can be around her because she is often too much of a sensory experience in an already extroverted life--she talks loud, and non-stop, and bounces around, and can't calm down easily. Quite honestly, she's exhausting.) So to find such a meditative experience to do with Luci is amazing.

And finally, we have put Samuel into his own room, where he rests right at this moment. I've wanted to get him out of this insufficient Moses basket for a long time, cuz it's rather cruddy and it lies next to my bed which is not enough distance to not scare the life out of him when I blow my nose. So I had my sights set on this move, and now that Darren has screwed it together I am satisfied. Yet a bit sad to remove that wonderful, warm, mostly content, yet waking way to much, presence in my room. My little snuggly guy is gone yet I am happy to embrace the energy and fun we can have together during the day when I get some sleep. I am really hoping for sleep as it seems I have barely slept more than 4 hours at a stretch since he came home and it's really started to get to me. With summer being here, I have not been able to cope. Until today when the kids were on their best behavior. It's been a great day!

Two Quotes I'm Savoring

One from Luci, and another from Jesse.]

When I was putting Luci to bed the other night, she said: "Mommy, I love you 150,000 roses piled up on a tree." So perfectly Luci, her being the dramatic naturalist that she is.

And this morning the first thing Jesse said as he came to on the couch, out of his sleepiness that is, was "You know Mom, if I knew how to ride my bike, I would just grab my keys, go out the door and hop on my bike." So cute, and big boyish, and timely, as we just got his bike on Sunday and he is seeming like such a big boy lately.

Oh, I must include Samuel, even though he is not saying any words of course. He is so darling and delicious, and he practices his vocal gymnastics at 6 every morning. He is rolling over and around and reaching for everything these days. Just a matter of time until he's close to smashing my teacups and dishes from his vantage point on my lap.

I couldn't stand him staring at me the other afternoon so I just popped some banana into his mouth. I also forgot that bananas make babies' diapers look wormy. (If only Bela could have seen it (my neighbor upstairs) since she's been wanting me to give him banana since he was one month old.)