Friday, June 20th, 2008

Most grateful moment: My cousin, Hannah, came over this morning to help me with the kids. When I realized that today was the day she was coming, I bounced out of bed like a kid on Christmas. She was able to take them outside and occupy them while I went to the grocery store by myself and organized the upstairs of my house. This is the first time I have felt slightly in control of my surroundings in the past few weeks and it was like a breath of fresh air. I am looking forward to her weekly visits this summer!!!

One thing I learned today: Tommy and I were flipping through the channels last night and stopped on the religious channel for some reason. It was a show geared toward teenagers, hosted by a young guys (probably in his 30's). He was so enthusiastic and insightful and really had a wealth of stories (both religious and not) up his sleeve to prove every point he was making. I'm not sure what I learned from him, exactly- but I kind of sat in awe/ envy of him as we watched. I wish I had that way with words to uplift people- especially that population.

One moment I wish I could re-do: I wish I could stop putting pressure on myself. I am noticing how hard I am being on myself- i feel like it's a constant stream of negative comments to myself going on in my head all day. 'You should be playing with Mallie', "You should be reading to Jack", "You haven't cleaned the bathroom floor in 2 weeks", "Your car is full of trash and needs to be vacuumed out'- it just seems to go on, and on and on. There are many, many things that I should be critiquing myself about, but probably 90% of the things that I am, are not important and end up putting me in a horrible mind-set- which usually leads to snappy interactions with my kids.

Best life tip: Make sure your husband is your best friend. I feel like I've been taking Tommy for granted...not on day-to-day things, but overall. I haven't been relying on him as my best friend and the person who has my back in every situation- which he is. I need to remember that and make sure I am that person for him.

Biggest laugh of the day: Several today: This morning, Jack took a toy away from Mallie as she was standing at the living room table. Just as Claire was about to tell him to give it back, Mallie threw a sock at Jack and gave him a stern yelling at, to go along with a very angry and stern look. It was hilarious and I think it even startled Jack.
Jack has been saying some seriously funny stuff lately: He's been calling me by my first name regularly. Today, as he was running down the street, I called for him to come back and he told me, "I'm COMING ERIN!!!" Last night, Tommy was trying to get him in the car as he ran around the back yard. Tommy said, "Let's go Jack!' to which Jack replied, "You're killing me man!" I bought him a tricycle today to try to bride him with potty training. Tonight he was riding it around the living room and he stopped and got off and said "Thank you for getting this bicycle for me at the store Mommy. You are so SMART!"

Best Tommy moment: I've been complaining to Tommy about a family situation lately. Today he finally acknowledged my annoyance and confirmed that fact that I might have a point. It was validating. Again, he always has my back even when it takes him a while to realize it.

Best Jack moment: Jack's eczema on his legs has been acting up. Tonight it was causing him pain for the first time. So I put some of his lotion on it. When I was finished putting it on, he stood up and gave me a big hug. He said, "Mommy, you the greatest doctor. You make me feel better!" It was so enthusiastic and from his heart!!!

Best Mallie moment: Mallie is definately a ham. Hannah was putting her big sunglasses on her and instead of ripping them off and eating them like a normal baby would- Mallie froze and turned her little head toward her audience. Then she gave a light smile and just posed there for several minutes. She loves dressing up.

*Last week, Mallie stood by herself for several seconds. She is really thinking about standing and taking steps- although she knows she can move much faster with her side-crawl. She is fully able to crawl the right way, but gets around faster the way she does it. She is also saying Mama and Dada sometimes. Tommy walked in the other night from work and she defiantely looked at him and pointed and said "DADA!!!"