Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Since last time, our house is still on the market, the weather is warming up a little (we can play outside 3-4 days a week- a HUGE improvement), and we are gearing up for Easter, spring and then SUMMER!

We also experienced the 2010 Olympics on TV. It really helped me through what I consider the most depressingly, bone-chilling days of the year. It was awesome to have each night to look forward to- a new event with exhuberent, young athletes. I loved watching with Jack. He and I stayed up late in my bed one night watching the speed skating with Apollo Ono. He was TOTALLY into it and really understood the excitement. We were both jumping up and down in bed yelling 'Go America!!!!" Soooo exciting! And of course, with excitement comes disappointment. I don't think anyone in this country, including poor, losing U.S. goal tender Ryan Miller could have possibly been more disappointed than my little Jack when the American hockey team lost in overtime to Canada. Jack insisted on watching the last period of the game in the basement by himself. Tommy and I were watching it upstairs. We could hear him yelling "Come on America!!! Go America!!" When he finally realized that Canada had beat the U.S. (there was a short time delay, as he didn't quite understand the actual game itself and was relying on the announcers), we heard "I HATE CANADA!!! This is horrible!!!" Basically, for the following hour and a half, Jack sobbed, uncontrollably, while he professed his hatred for our most amicable neighbors to the north. At the hour mark, I started becoming slightly alarmed at his emotional state and expressing so to Tommy. Tommy told me I had no idea how boys react to sports and that I'd better get used to it- especially living in Cleveland. So, I guess this was my first taste of sports-induced heartache. Of course, I understand it to a certain extent- but I also have a smaller tolerance for it and would really like to snap back to reality after 15-20 minutes. But that was not to be that night. Nearly 2 hours post-game, JAck was still glommed onto the TV footage of Ryan Miller's expression at the medal ceremony- "WHY IS HIS MOUTH TURNING LIKE THAT!!!??? HE LOOKS REALLY DISAPPOINTED!!! WAHHHH!"



In addition to sports-induced emotional turmoil, we are experiencing some church-induced problems as well. NO ONE understands how to behave in church. Jack is almost there- on a good day. But on a day after a rough night sleep or an especially long hoily, he's lost to the demons. Mallie is not even close. She thinks she is on our walk into mass- and is a great actress- has us TOTALLY convinced that today's the day- she really gets it! And then about 20 minutes in, she's bored and cannot shut her little adorable mouth to save her soul (literally). Annie- well, that's just ridiculous to talk about. Why we even bring her is a very long, complicated story involving delicate intricacies of our marriage, child-rearing philosophies and spirituality. And if I did tell you, you'd for-sure direct me to the nearest therapist. So, she comes with. And boy does she make herself known. Anyway, two Sunday's ago, the Gilbride's made an especially loud and obnoxious showing at St. Angela's and on the way out, Tommy announced that the older two would be spanked in return for their ridiculousness. This started a cacophony of shrieks, sobs, and basic freaking-out from the older two. A minute later, I also announced to Tommy that I was starving and we had to go to lunch before going home for spankings. So, amidst the sobs, he back-tracked a bit and announced that 'instead of going home for spankings, we are going to get Mommy some food. This is your chance to redeem yourself. I EX-PECT THE VER-EEEE BEST BEEEE-HAAAAAAVE-YOUR from you!!!" Somehow, this stopped the emotional debacle going on in the back seat. There was a moment of silence, and then Jack broke back into crying.... "What!!? What did you say? Why did you say it like that? Beee-haaave-YOUR??? I don't get it?? It's like you changed it at the end there? Why did you say it like that???! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" And, having this hilarious detail pointed out to her, the Bird broke out in hysterical laughter: ""HA HA HA !!!! Daddy!! That so funny! Why you say it like that!? That funny!!! hahahhaaha!" They are only 4 and 2. We are so screwed.






OK, and now, speaking of screwed.... Annie has decided that she isn't a huge fan of mine anymore. That little nugget used to laugh until she cried at almost everything I pulled out of my back pocket. I was her FAVORITE! Now, not so much. In the last 3 days, she has really turned on me. It's like she realized how hard I was trying (which I do, I try try REALLY hard to get her to smile because she's the cutest damn thing I've ever seen). And now she's too cool for me or something. DEPRESSING. Anytime I look at her or say "I'm gonna get you!' or tickle her feet or ANYTHING that used to be fool-proof....I get an arm-swing away from me and a 'Naaaa!" Breaks my heart every time. I'll admit it. But has it stopped me? NO! In fact, I've probably doubled my efforts, which is leading to a real divide in my and Ann's realtionship over the past 3 days. I need to back off- I know this in my head. But I LOVE HER!!! And I love the way her little teeth look in her little funny mouth when she laughs at me!!! I will get her back. Mark my words.



Mallie was riding around on her tricycle, in circles, in the middle of Jack and my soccer game in the driveway this afternoon. Very annoying. But to make herself even more conspicuous, she was announcing, over and over again: "WATCH OUT!! BUUURRD COMING FROOOO! BURD COMING FROO!"


Due to several small events over the past few weeks, Jack is now showering by himself, like a 20 year-old, after the girls take their bath together. Although a small change in the routine, I am having a hard time adjusting (surprise, suprise) and just thought it was note-worthy enough to make the blog.

Mallie had a very hard time giving up her pacey 3 weeks ago. Although, the great actress that she is, she seemed gung-ho about giving it to Auntie's new baby, once the time actually came, her tune changed. For a few nights, she was crying for the pacey. Then we started letting her fall asleep in our bed, which worked fine. We took her back into her bed when we were ready to turn in. But, then, we needed to start cracking down a little more (because she was not falling asleep so fast and ended up going to bed with us at 11 and staying in bed all night!) So for the last week, she has been sobbing and beside herself at bedtime. Not a good time for a break down-given my patience level and willingness to give in (or freak out at her). I talked to Brooke about it yesterday and we came up with a game plan. I would go buy her a few CHEAP special gifts, wrap them up and put them in a bag. Each night Mallie went to sleep without crying, she could wake up, open a present and enjoy. Brooke came up with the gist of this plan. I just did it out of deperation...I definately didn't have high hopes. But I presented this plan to Mal as though it was the secret to some super treasure last night. I even whispered for dramatic effect. And she went with it. Not a peep. Out cold. All night. And this morning- she opened up her nail polish!!!!! AWESOME!!! And tonight, again, she was shaking with anticipation with what might be her special treasure tomorrow morning. Brooke's a genius!!!