It has been so amusing watching Dija develop as a two year old. Someone apparently slipped her the “Two Year Old Manual” and she’s following it. She is the center of the universe right now and she will let you know it. Her most used vocabulary is “I, Me & Mine” and to add emphasis she often uses more than one of these pronouns at a time. I know she’s trying to figure out how to use these odd words properly…they all mean the same thing but why do those grown ups keep changing it up on me?
“Papa, look at mine me!”
She really is an easy going little girl but if you upset her she lets you know – she’s tried spitting, hissing, biting, growling and even words. Sometimes it’s all I can do to not laugh at her attempts to express herself but I’m doing my best to remain calm and gently guide her to learn the proper use of these new means of communication. This morning when I told her not to spit she instantly changed it to a hiss… she can be so saucy and she’s not even trying! She’s really not a nasty girl but do not make her angry. She is absolutely comical with her little facial expressions and repeating words or funny phrases that just don’t belong to a cute little toddler. Does anyone know where I can find her volume button? She can go from a whisper to concert level volume in no time.
Not that I have any poor vocabulary habits….but now more than ever I find myself being careful what I say and even the tone I say it in. These little sponges are hearing everything and will repeat things so easily. I know they will choose just the right moment to repeat something inappropriate. I’ll be certain to share those moments.
Well it’s been a few stressful weeks on the homefront but amid all that life has thrown at us lately I must say these two little people are the high point or our days. Whether it’s the little voice calling me in the morning, the unprompted “thank you Neenee” or the hugs and kisses that seem to be unlimited… they bring joy in the midst of everything else and hope when things seem hopeless, unconditional love and even peace (when they are alseep of course!).

When I told my sister I couldn’t possibly blog about my day she, in her ever encouraging way, told me that I absoluelty must. “People need to know that you have bad days too!” Well if I have led any of you to believe that all days are good then it’s time to reread all my blogs….at what point does my life appear like a perfect picture?

Tanya, I dedicate my rotton day to you.

I do not know when it began….did I have bad dreams in the night that simply continued into morning? It was a nightmarish morning. Every time I had to deal with one child the other took it as a cue to cause damage, disaster or distraction….so that the other could carry on with the task of driving Neenee mad. Tre had a lovely colourful floor made with those big square puzzle pieces that he managed to remove from his room while I was simply cleaning Dija up from Breakfast. I thought that seperating them would stop the screaming competition. Somehow the kids have figured out that if they head out seperate doors I can only follow one at a time. Then there was the puzzle piece toss event. I like organization so this drives me crazy – I want all the pieces together. Lunchtime is always an adventure and it’s usually messy. I like to feed them neat tidy food but sometimes it just can’t be done. It started with the ketchup for the fish pieces that somehow disappeared while the fish still sits there. Then when they have more ketchup so they will eat some fish I find Dija painting her hand with it. So while getting the wash cloth I know I risk Tre going on another tour of the house to seek out something to distroy. I was going in circles doing damage control all morning.

As I drove the kids to Nana’s after lunch so she could enjoy naptime (that was so unfair!) Tre asked me “Neenee you happy?” So I told him the truth…his behaviour today did not make me very happy. He knew by now that Neenee was not pleased with his action. After a few quiet blocks of driving I hear a sweet voice from the back seat, “I sorry Neenee”.

Well fine then you get to come home again! OK I didn’t say that out loud but I must admit that I didn’t rush back from work and I went to two gym classes last night.

Today had a much better start with wee people cooperating. Ate breakfast and got dressed with no disasters. Phew!

 It gets a little confusing when there are kids, siblings, grankids, all coming and going. I never know what to call myself anymore. Our children still call me mom but grandkids call me Neenee except when they are hearing Justin call me mom…. it all gets fuzzy at times. I know my role ( cook, clean, clean more….ok it’s not that bad most days). Today I got to just be Mom for a few hours.

We attended the Graduation Ceremony for Justin’s school at the Westin – Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy class of 2009. The school has always impressed me with the standards it maintains and the level of training they give there. I was happy to speak with ther Director of the school today having had a conversation with her before Justin started… today was the exit interview. He’s no longer the young student who thinks he knows what he wants. She assured me that he is a fine man and that we had done something right. She told me that he is talented and how he is now her collegue and she spoke of his character in such a positive way. It’s pretty amazing that I didn’t cry.

So I was feeling rather proud of him already but hearing those things first hand from someone so respected in the profession…wow. He didn’t have the top marks of his class and I’m actually glad about that. I’d prefer him to be well rounded, balanced and experience life as he goes. He was the recipient of the “Above and Beyond” Award. I know he worked very hard at his education but lets face it he has found a woman to spend his life with and that takes some attention too! What I’m really thrilled about is knowing that he’s a man with integrity and a character that a mom (and dad) can feel honoured to say they had a part in it all.

I know our job is not over with him…but our role in his life has changed. We are friends, collegues, mentors, and still parents but in a different way now. No wonder I get my titles confused! People made fun of me when I pointed him in the direction of the washroom today. I was simply telling him where it was not that it was time to go.

Life can be uncertain but as things continue to change and I navigate my new roles I know for certain that our son will continue to make us proud parents.

When you have achieved something fantastic you get bragging rights… so do you get whining rights if things simply suck?

Some things you instantly get sympathy for but really if you think about it as long as you have oxygen in your lungs you can likely find something to be thankful for. I usually laugh at a lot of rediculous stuff that happens in life but some days I’d rather just cry. Seriously, wouldn’t it be easier to just give up now and then? Now to clarify this feeling…it doesn’t last long. Laughter usually follows at some point and I find something to be thankful for in spite of whatever adversity has come my way. Sometimes situations just don’t happen as you might choose.

Saturday, shopping for children’s birthday supplies, the kids were behaving less than their perfect selves. The ages perhaps? Dija has just learned that 2 means you can cause trouble and Tre has figured out that at 3 you get to push the limits and figure out how tough the parental units are. This all had to happen when we were in a store of course. I don’t like to shop like that so we left to make a quick trip home with the yangy children. I wrestled each child into a car seat and had them safely secured and buckled myself in , exhaled…. enough for today lets just go home and eat. Corey approaches my window to inform me that the front tire is dead flat. Oh that is so unfortunate in all this rain and on a Saturday when our tire fixing shop is closed.

Monday, good day to take off to help Justin and Turd Turd with the transition into town. We had car plates to change and motor vehicle details to iron out and a new truck to pick up for Papa (one that holds car seats – jeep for sale). Going to the DMV at the end of the month is not a fun thing to do but we managed to fit 2 trips in on Monday. Justin and I were headed over to change his plates when I pulled out of his driveway and immediately pulled to the side of the road. You’ve never seen a tire changed so fast! It was fresh in my mind and I had manpower nearby. Fortunately everything was nicely wd40′d on Saturday after fighting with it in the rain. Change of plans…drop van off to get tire fixed and take Justin’s new car to DMV.

Still Monday, returning from DMV to find yet another flat on the old vw. Seriously.

At what point did I want to cry? Well pick one….I simply felt frustrated. My running around time is limited and I like to get things accomplished. I felt totally frustrated from lack of productivity and throw in a flat tire it chews my day up!

So where did I find something to be thankful for? Well I wasn’t on the highway when any tires went flat. Nana was nearby to help out with kids. We did manage to get all the paper work in place to drive our cars…we have cars…. I got to go back to work on Tuesday! There is always a bright side – even with all this rain… oh and I know people are whining about the rain. It WILL stop.

Wednesday….I’m so glad I didn’t post this last night as planned. The van was parked in our driveway and Justin point out to me that in yet a third tire there is a screw puncturing tire #4 – wow. Now it’s Canada Day and the tire fixin shop is closed again. Justin and Corey tackled it right there and once again we have four tires …but I’m pretty certain that’s a temporary thing.