Just one wish...

If I could keep my baby out of the dog food and my dog out of my baby's food--that would be nice.

Keller is getting sneakier and more creative in his use of the dog kibble.  This morning I heard little metallic tinks over and over; found out that Keller had put all of Riley's breakfast into the sink piece by piece.  Then later he got into my friend's dog's food; and hers really smelled.

And Riley (our dog) will nab just about anything that Keller holds out at arms length.  I simply can't get my 16 month old child to understand defensive eating tactics.  Riley doesn't even try to get my food, but he watches Keller like a hawk.

Right now I feel like I have two toddlers; and I would now recommend, to anyone who asks me, that you hold out on dog purchases until your children are no longer classified as "babies."  Because I have a lot of immature/primitive brains around here; and this food battle seems never-ending.

If only my words could make a difference, and one of them would look at me with understanding and obedience.  "Ok, Mom, I won't touch that food anymore."  Problem solved.  Wishing wishing.

Is it because I've been reading my scriptures?

Spontaneously, of their own free will, all three of my children played together today WITH THEIR TOYS.  I just looked over and there they were, all of them, sharing legos.  Taesya was the leader, of course, but she did such a great job of keeping them all calm and content.  It lasted for a long time, too.  I just stared at them--amazed.

My kids don't generally share or play nicely lately.  And they pretty much ignore all of our toys.  And they follow me around like little starving kittens.

Today was a miracle and I am beyond grateful.  Wow oh wow.

Still makes me smile when I think about it.

It only cost me $5.45 and it was the best part of my whole day.  Yesterday, the kids and I ate school lunch. We've gone, I think, twice before but today was such a treat.  Because in the midst of my busy and difficult daily life, I got to enjoy a decent meal that took no effort and involved no clean up afterward.

We had chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, a roll, chocolate milk, and a rice krispie treat.  I didn't have to buy any of these things at the store, I didn't have to unload them from my car, I didn't have to cook each element of the meal, and I didn't have to do the dishes when it was all over.  Heaven!!!!

Taesya, Canon, Keller, and I enjoyed a delightful meal at her elementary school and it brightened my day.  I breathed a sigh of contentment on the way to the car, "Wasn't that yummy, Canon?"  Thank you, public school, for giving me that moment of joy.

Communication

In between the incoherent caveman-like grunts, growls, and shouts of frustration -- today has been a breakthrough in Keller's communication skills.  I had a cup of orange juice, which he gestured to and requested, "Meese."  This means please.  So I got him a cup and he waited nicely.  I poured some into his glass and he drank it happily.  "Mwoh," he said and I poured him a little bit more.  He had refills until he was satisfied.  His words had gotten him what he wanted; I think that made him very glad.

Today was the first day that he actually pointed to the correct place when asked, "Where is your nose, Keller?"  I was so proud!  And he's saying "danx" for thank you.  Granted, most of the day is still primitive at best, but I can see the glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel.

On the other hand, I'm not in any hurry for him to talk back and shout "No!" at me like his siblings.  Talking certainly has it's pros and cons.

Internet Frustration

Ben thinks I'd be happier if I ditched Blogger.  But I've tried that before and ended up coming back.  I just need user-friendliness and ease of use.   Too many features hurts my brain.  Who knows, maybe I'll give Wordpress or Kontain a try...  we'll see.

P.S. I wish my husband had time to design a template for me.  It's hard to choose from someone else's looks and say, "Yeah, that looks just like me."  It's always a little off.  Maybe I'm too picky.

This is my Keller

Intrigued by seeing his own face on the computer.

The look we get 23 hours of every day.  The grumpy eyebrows.

Mesmerized by his own good looks.

Really enjoys this picture taking game.

I wanted to capture the grumpy face, because really, my baby is always scowling at us.  And hollering about how one toy or another has really frustrated him.  He hates to get his diaper changed, he's mad that he can't do everything himself, and he's always getting into trouble.  My super happy baby is in a moody phase.  

Oh, and he got that nose injury from camping this weekend.  He can't just sit in a folding chair, he has to get in and out and in and out--and then face plant on the cement.  He'll live, don't worry too much.  

Oh my Keller, where did your happiness go?

Blockhead

The kids are watching Charlie Brown Christmas.  And, sadly, I am finding Charlie Brown incredibly relatable.  The way he's talking sounds familiar... the negative outlook, expecting the worst, assuming everyone will be disappointed... I have become Charlie Brown.  I don't want to be Charlie Brown.  This thought needs some pondering.

A few more similarities: Keller carries around his "pathetic" blanket all the time, Taesya talks a lot like bossy know-it-all Lucy, and lastly we have a dog.  (Although our dog is remarkably unremarkable compared to Snoopy.)

Sorry for the lame post.  Wait, did that sound like Charlie Brown again?  Good grief.

In the Dumps

I washed and put away an enormous amount of laundry today.  And I got my daughter to preschool.  I held my son, Canon, when he was sad.  That's about it.

Nothing else was good or worth mentioning.  Are those things enough?  Am I doing enough?  Because mostly I think about the times when I was sick and didn't want anyone to touch me, or the fact that I didn't make one meal for my children today--and the word failure bounces around inside my head.

Last night I cleaned up the kids bedroom, which was a disaster of sorts.  It looks great, even vaccuumed.  So if I look at that room, I can feel successful; I can see all the clothing in the drawers, too, and know that I took care of my children in that way.  But if I look anywhere else....  Agh.

Why can't I feel good about what I did?  Why do I feel like I'm missing something?

Nie Nie

I don't know if you read "NieNie" but today you should.  She has a wonderful video on there today and it almost made me cry.  Heavenly Father is with us as we struggle every day and I am so grateful.  Check out Stephanie Nielsen's blog today and you will be uplifted.