Continuing with the months-old photography meme, here’s a set of pictures of the boys and their Play-Doh.  Laura made some home-made play-doh for the boys, which they just ate up.  Literally, in many instances.  It even smelled good – I think she added cinnamon.  Anyway, Nicholas got into it, even using some cookie cutters and shapes from his shape sorter.  Dexter was much more ambivalent, but got quite happy when he figured out how to mush it into his hair.  Marte brought her two ward overs a few times as well, and the four of them happily played with their Play Doh.

Time for another one of those two-month old pictures that I just never found a moment to put up.  Katie’s family had a tradition that every Sunday they’d eat a large dinner at around 1:00pm, ideally cooked by the legendary Marilyn, and then they’d all be so sated that during the evening they’d just have popcorn.  Katie’s tried to uphold that tradition in our home, usually successfully.  Sometimes I’ve convinced her to make nachos instead, but usually popcorn.  Before the boys it was the perfect excuse to pop in a movie.  Once we got the new furniture, the new rule was instituted that all food had to be eaten over the hardwood floors, and so into the kitchenette we went.

Now that the boys are here, they don’t always cooperate with our traditions so well.  Katie’s not all that eager to feed the popcorn, as brushing their teeth is a bit of a nightmare (for us, anyway – Laura apparently had no problems – WHAT WAS YOUR SECRET???  No, seriously, WHAT???).  But if we turn on the television for a little bit, they’ll watch for 5-6 minutes and we can quietly eat our popcorn and remember simpler times.  Or more likely, they’ll come up to us and whine at us until we pick them up, and eventually we’ll find some snack for them.  So here’s a typical Sunday Movie Night, with Dex and Nic joining Laura and Katie, eating their puffs while Katie and Laura eat their popcorn, and we watch the first 15 minutes or so of a movie that will take us a month to finish.  Ah, simpler days…

The boys are starting to get a few bits of sign language down well.  Nicholas especially.  They can say “please”, and “more”, and “all done”, and “open.”  We’re trying to teach them how to say “sleepy”, “drink”, and “stop putting my college savings funds in low-yield municipal bonds – THINK people.”  Mostly the signs are used during feeding, or when they want us to get the shapes out of the shape sorter, or the blocks off of the dining room table.  They either sign to us, or shriek, depending on the moment.

The reason I mentioned it is that today was the first time they surprised me with using a sign appropriately, but in a new context when I wasn’t expecting it.  After lunch, Dexter squatted in the family room for a few minutes, and before long the fumes were getting to us so I took him to the Living room to change him.  It turned out to be a fairly icky one, requiring more than the normal amount of scrubbing, and of course I had to get out the steel wool and pressure washer to get the rest of it off.  Dexter squirmed like a little bugger for the first minute or so, and then sat calmly for another minute – but then he signed, “all done.”  And then he did it again, somewhat more urgently.  It was kind of hilarious, I just didn’t expect it, but I suppose I should have.  I’m not exactly sure what my tolerance level would be for having somebody aggressively wiping my bottom, but I’m sure I’d be insisting that they stop rather quickly as well.

Later, we took the boys for their first hair cuts.  I don’t have any pictures yet, but I promise to take some just as soon as the bleeding lessens a bit.  We only took a little from around Dexter’s ears, but hacked off most of Nicholas’ crusty-the-clown curls.  He looks so grown up now.  Anyway, about two minutes into Dexter’s hair cut, he started signing “all done” again.  Smart little guy.  It’s hard to say “no” when he asks so sweetly.  And then he shrieks.

Every once in a while I go through all of our recent photos, categorize them, and upload them to a series of draft blog posts, just waiting on us to find the time to write them up and publish them.  And then time passes, and I realize it’s been over a month and I still have 9 or 10 draft posts in the queue, and no evidence of making progress any time soon.  These shots were taken in early November, for example.  Go figure.

Anyway, the boys love windows.  It’s like TV, but with less glare and no commentary.  They like looking out the back windows at the squirrels running along our fence, and especially the front windows.  Out the front windows they’ll watch for traffic, and wave excitedly to neighbors and especially the garbage truck drivers.  They seem to know when Katie or I are supposed to be coming home, and like to go to the window and watch for us.  They know our cars and will get all excited when they see one of us returning.  They’ll wave and blow kisses.  If  visitor is coming to the door, you might find the boys peering out of the two windows right next to the door, inspecting them before allowing them entry.

And if a neighbor happens to be passing by, the boys’ waves and smiles are like a siren’s call for play time.  Two days ago they convince Lauren and Allie to come inside to play for 15 minutes, and back during November, they caught our neighbors Janice and Alexandra in a game of peek-a-boo over the half-fence between our yards.

So here are some pictures of the boys, waiting for someone to stop by and say hello.

So today has been a very, very hard day, and the boys have been about as disagreeable as they ever can be (and totally off schedule), but we ended on an up note.  This morning we dressed Dexter in a tie-dyed onesie for Laura’s benefit.  He wore a sweatshirt over the shirt most of the day, but then came the final diaper change of the night.  Dexter was a little bit ripe (i.e. poopy), so I volunteered Katie to change him.  It was something of a difficult diaper to clean up, and we ended up taking him to the kitchen sink, still wearing his onesie but sans pants or socks.  He hates that, but it’s better than a diaper rash from trying to clean his bum with steel wool or sandpaper.

Just as we were about done, suddenly Dexter contributed to the water flow into the sink in his own way.  It’s kind of hard not to chuckle as your son proudly urinates into the kitchen sink.  Katie handed him over to me afterward because Nic was pulling at her leg and only has eyes for Mommy tonight.  I got halfway back to the changing table and decided, “what the heck, he’s already peed.”  So I dropped him onto the floor and said, “run FREE, DexSTAR!”  And run he did.  He was running around with just his onesie on, hiked halfway up his chest (resting on top of his ample belly).  He started running laps around the house, squealing with delight, and flopping in the breeze.  Nicholas tore free of Katie and ran after him, laughing too.  15 minutes of nearly-naked hillarity ensued.  Nic kept trying to catch Dexter, I think to touch the big blue dot on the center of his shirt, but it made it all the more amusing.  I’m sorry for the lack of photos or videos, but we’ve worked to hard to keep these boys alive to invite a call to child protective services with naked baby pictures.

So we decided Dexter was our very clean little hippy, running around in his tie-dyed shirt and nothing else.  That one was for you, Laura.  But if he had peed, we’d have drafted you back into service, expired contract notwithstanding.

Well goodbyes suck, I can tell you that much.  This morning we woke up extra early, got the boys out of bed, sort-of fed, and we all drove with Laura to the airport.  After a year of keeping our boys alive and entertained, happy and healthy, she’s heading back to Australia, by way of a couple of weeks in Denver and another week in Hawaii.

None of us slept well last night.  Dexter and Nicholas were restless, and didn’t fall asleep until nearly 9:30.  They usually go to bed between 7 and 8.  I don’t know what was up with that, but maybe they knew something wasn’t quite right.  I couldn’t fall asleep, or stay asleep.  Neither could Laura, but on the plus side at least that meant she didn’t fall out of bed in the middle of the night, so at least we had that going for us.  We stopped off at an espresso stand for Chai teas, and then we took Kanga down to SEATAC.  We helped Laura lug the body-building weights she calls her luggage to the counter, and walked around with the boys for a little bit, trying to delay the “good bye” as long as we could.

I already miss her, and not just because of the incredibly nasty diaper that Dexter woke up from his nap with that I would have loved to have delegated to Laura’s capable hands.  When we were first looking for at the possibility of an Au Pair last year, our boys were just home from the hospital, on more medications than we could keep track of, with weekly doctor’s appointments, special formulas, and even oxygen for Dexter.  It was hard to imagine that we could find any young Au Pair candidate that we could trust with our two little boys.  The first application we saw was for a Dane whom withdrew from the program the moment we e-mailed her (we tried not to read too much in to that).  The second application was Laura’s, and we didn’t need to look any further.

We had no doubts that Laura would prove the equal to any challenge the boys would throw her way, and that if they needed more than a normal nanny could provide, well, Laura would be able to do that, too.  Fortunately, many of the special needs fell away before Laura arrived (she must have breathed a sigh of relief when she learned that Dexter had stopped his thrice-daily puking habit just days before she arrived, though perhaps she was a little terrified by the charts I showed her to demonstrate the fact), and the boys grew fairly normally.

That didn’t make Laura’s job any easier, just a little less complicated.  The boys learned to lift their heads, crawl, walk, run, and climb on her watch.  They went from sleeping 18 hours a day with 8 bottles, to eating three main meals, a couple of snacks, and no bottles at all.  They’ve doubled in size, and grown very full heads of hair (in marked contrast to their father, but apparently it’s a quid pro quo relationship – if they get hair, I lose it.  Fair trade, if you ask me.)  We were in strict quarantine when she arrived, praying that we didn’t catch even the slightest cold for worry of Dexter’s lungs, but we ended the year with playdates and even taking them to the Children’s Musuem.  Laura helped us take them camping and to swim lessons, to get baptized and play in the park.

For our part, we’ve learned more about Australia than we thought there was to know.  Apparently they don’t all carry large knives, for example.  Coolers are Eskis, diapers are nappies, buggered just means tired, Cathy has forgotten more tricks to parenting then we’ll ever learn (apparently if you’re lying there will be purple polka dots on your tongue, but only mothers can see them – you don’t believe me?  Want me to stick out my tongue?), and Karl is well known in every pub within a hundred kilometers of his home.  Thankfully, we learned that Australian food was markedly better than English food, and Laura had mad skills with the grill, despite her obviously false claims that Vegemite is edible.  I’m still not convinced that Australia is habitable, what with the deserts and firestorms, the spiders and snakes and sharks, and perhaps most dangerously of all, the Australians.  Still, we’ve learned enough that it’s at the top of our travel wish list.

We earnestly hope that Laura got what she wanted out of her year with us, or what she needed.  We know she’ll do well.  She has a strength of character, resilience to deal with almost anything no matter how stressful, an unmatched ability to spin a story – wherever she chooses to go, we wish her well, and look forward to hearing about it.

Thank you for keeping our boys alive, Laura, and for loving them so well, and for joining our family for this year.  We deeply and sincerely appreciate it, and we’ll never forget it, nor allow the boys to do so.

Thank you for loaning us your daughter, Karl and Cathy.  I hope we’ve returned her to you in good working order, none the worse for wear.  Most of the spit-up stains will come out of her with time, though the fear of peanut butter may last a lifetime.

Good bye for now, Laura.  We’ll see you again.  Maybe not too soon, but someday.  The boys will make you proud…

Well, we survived…

The boys woke up early (6:30am) but Joel beat them to be today’s earliest riser at 5:55am.  I, personally, just wanted to sleep but duty beckoned and up I jumped to the call of motherhood.   After a fantastic breakfast of blueberry pancakes, we opened our stockings.  You would think one of us would win something – 5 Washington State scratch lottery tickets, but no, we were all big losers.  It didn’t matter because the boys were truly intrigued with their glow sticks and loved their Kazoos.  In fact, I’ve never heard a Kazoo so loudly played before as today.  Dexter really doesn’t hold back.

Anyway, it was then on to our real presents and tons of fun was had with bows and paper and gifts.  Thank you all for the great gifts.  Dexter also shared his runny nose with Nicholas so I was in charge of Kleenex duty too.  Much squealing and running around was followed by a very early and much needed nap.  Then we were off to Grandma and Grandpa French’s, so that I could get fat off of my mother’s holiday cooking.  Once again, I ate too much but boy, was it ever so good.   Instead of Laura’s tradition of cold ham for Christmas dinner (and firing up the barbecue and hanging out in the pool), we showed her how it was done in Washington – hot ham all around, frost, and sub-freezing temperatures.  We also  shared good food with my family on my mom’s side – Uncle Dick, Greg, Ann and Ann’s boyfriend Robert were all in town.  More gifts, more squealing, and at the end of the afternoon, Nicholas and Dexter looked like they had consumed way too much from the big inflatable beer mug that Ryan had given Greg in the gift exchange.  Sorry, no pictures of the beer mug, yet.

We’re back home now.  The boys crashed almost immediately.  Laura’s up in her room finishing up her last minute packing and Joel and I are attempting to find reasons not to do chores.  We really will miss Laura.  She has been a fantastic caregiver to the boys and a member of this family.  Tomorrow morning will be so very strange and sad…  I have one more Laura story to share but will wait until tomorrow.  You’ve had enough blogs from us today.

I really hope all of you out there had a magical Christmas, filled with loved ones.

Here’s a link to a photo album with some pictures of today’s festivities.  Enjoy!

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas, everyone!  The boys aren’t quite awake yet, though I’ve no doubt I’ll hear the crib rattling and squealing shortly.  I thought I’d try and steal a couple of quick minutes to put up a few pictures from yesterday’s festivities, and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  I was worried about trying to cram too much into Christmas Day.  I just thought it would be more relaxed and fun if we could take the day at a more leisurely pace.  Grandma Marilyn, Grandpa Carter, and Uncle Ryan obliged us by coming over yesterday afternoon and opening a few gifts early, and then staying for dinner, before Laura, I, and the boys stayed home while everyone else when off to Christmas Eve Mass.  It worked out really well.  The boys may not have understood much of anything about Christmas, but they loved the paper and the bows, the new toys, all the visitors, all the attention, and also the odd cookie or two that I snuck them.

This is Dexter’s favorite part of Christmas – a godawful singing Penguin/Snowman ensemble that their evil Grandma Zaidee sent for them last year.  Dexter will run over to where it sits (usually on the mantle), and sign furiously for “more” or “food” until we play it.  Still working on the sign for “please”, I guess.

And now some pictures from yesterday.  Dex had a bit of a runny nose, but he held up admirably.  Grandma and Grandpa French, and Uncle Ryan came over around 2:30, for some present-opening and then a fantastic Manicoti dinner courtesy of Marilyn.

We let them open their presents from Grandpa and Grandma Yates first – the boys now have their very own Recliners!  But perhaps more importantly, a piece of furniture they climb on without scaring us to death.

Grandma Marilyn played the elf.

While Nicholas *guarded* all the presents…

He sat on the ones he though especially important and worth protecting.

Dexter’s hair was a bit messed up for a horrible incident after his bath, but it hasn’t slowed him down.

I WANTED AN XBOX!!!

While Dexter was happy to sit between Laura and Ryan, working on his train.

Nic got really into the spirit of opening presents.  This one was a present to Marilyn.  He didn’t seem to make the distinction.

And when he got tired, he rested.

Katie is never ashamed to ham it up.

The (blessedly low-volumed) Elmo phones.

And after Mommy left for church, the boys had a quiet night in their P.J.s, trying to convince me to wait up for Santa Claus.

They even brushed their teeth!

And afterwards, the lights stayed on, waiting for Mommy to come home, and Santa, and Christmas Morning!

Merry Christmas!

I am trying very hard not to cry as I type this. You all know that I leave on the 26th, what we call Boxing Day.

How on earth can i express all my gratitude and appreciation for not only Katie, Joel, NicNac and Dexy but for everyone who has helped me, supported me and made my year as an honoury member of this family a welcoming one. I would like to thank Marilyn and Carter for always making me feel like part of the family, helping me settle in and saving me on my sick days NicNac and Dexy taught me how to love unconditionally and whole heartedly. Katie and Joel have been like big a brother and sister looking out for me every step of the way!

For some time I have been dreading saying goodbye and these last few weeks with the boys have been amazingly bitter sweet. Moments of laughter, hugs and kisses quickly followed by tears as I realise time and time again that “my boys” and I will not have any more of these moments. I know that i have no claim on those beautiful boys and when I decided to be an Au Pair it was always going to be a 1 year deal but I hadnt planned on falling so madly in love with the children or the town I ended up in.

We have come along way together, It seems so long ago that i arrived and the boys didnt even roll over, Ive been chasing them around the house to long that I almost forget how small the where when i came. I will miss them greatly and I doubt any child will take their place in my heart for a very very very long time. No child will be as cute, as smart, as funny or as wonderful as my NicNac and DexSTAR!

Its been a privilage to get to know all of you and to share your time, your friendship, your country, culture, holidays and lives. I hope to hear from you all often and if you ever make it out to my little home town I will expect to hear from you! Email me at spillie86@yahoo.com.au

See you round!

Ah yes, diaper changes.  We haven’t discussed this topic for a while so I thought I would bring it back up.  Hmmm – should we talk about the heavenly smell that made Laura, au pair extrodinare, dry heave the other day, the texture of which can be slightly sandy at times (where does the sand come from?) or the fact that the boys act like they are lying on a bed of hot coals as soon as their backs hit the changing table?  I think I’ll discuss topic number three.

The past few weeks it has been a BATTLE to change diapers.  I mean, as soon as I start the recline to set them on the changing table they are yelling, no screaming, like I”m about to chop something precious off.  Where does this come from?  Don’t they know that if they laid their quietly, the diaper change would normally take seconds instead of minutes?   I’ve handed them ornaments, “magic” bottles of baby powder to hold, toys, counted loudly & quickly (this method took Nic by surprise the first time and he stopped moving), plugging my nose and blowing zerberts onto their bellies, etc….. and they still yell and squirm.  The best was the other day when Nicholas had a huge poo.  I knew time was of the essence and attempted to quickly wipe away the nasty stuff but he started to buck and roll and before I knew it, poop covered his leg to his calf.  That earned him a quick bath in the sink.

So, Joel and I wonder why the change in behavior?  I understand it is not comfortable when your butt is raw, and the last thing you want is for someone to be spreading butt paste down there but seriously, those diaper changes are usually the minority.  Is this a phase boys go through?  How long does it last.  One inquiring mind wants to know how long she has to put up with the screaming………