Why it takes us so long to leave the house

It took us a while to leave the house before we had kids. Now it's just silly. Probably because I'm such a poor packer that leads to delays, but a typical conversation before a 3 km walk would be something like this:

Me: Okay, we're ready to go.
Laura: Did you pack snacks for Alice?
Me: No... I'll go get them.
...
Me: Okay, let's go.
L: What about hats? Did you get the hats?
Me: No... you sure you want them?
L: Yes.
Me: Okay, I'll go get them.
....
17 minutes later
...
Me: Okay, let's go.
L: What about the troup-a-doodle? If we run into a snakerpop we'll be sure to want one.
Me: No... are you sure you want them? There hasn't been a snakerpop in these parts since the last choot-a-moo.
L: Yes.
Me: *sigh*


Pre-children Jim might have understood, but I don't think that he would have guessed the extent of stuff needed for every outing. Especially since it's been such a long time since the last choot-a-moo.

Then and now

Good times.

Then

Now with 400% more floppy hats!

Failing the man test

It's irrational, I know. But when a drain clogs up, I feel that it's my fault. My fault for somehow not maintaining it better, for not fixing things before they are a problem. House maintenance in my head is a "boy job". Painting, doing wiring, fixing things that are broken, breaking things that aren't, etc. Those are also all the things that I hate doing. Which is stupid for a home owner because you'll make yourself poor really fast if you can't do the little things yourself.

Today I took apart some plumbing and cleared a clog. Yay me. However, I probably created the clog in the first place by putting too much food down the kitchen drain which then backed up the laundry room / sink. Bad news in a house that needs to do as much laundry as we do currently. So I still feel like I failed.

*sigh*

Seven years

It feels like eleven. But in a good way. 

There are times that I thought that by now that there would be more... well, to put a name on it, spaceship!

SPACESHIP! SPACESHIP! SPACESHIP! 

Other than the lack of spaceship, I am perfectly happy. (Spaceship!)

Children can be so cruel

Recently at a get-together there were some older (aged 5? 7?) kids there. A few of them were making fun of how Alice - who's two - was speaking. They were laughing, whispering to each other and prompting Alice to say more things that they can make fun of her for. It made me very angry. Very, very angry. On my outside I was totally cool. I didn't smack anyone at all, despite really wanting to. I have to let Alice learn how to deal with situations like that. But I don't like it.

It brought back every similar situation that I ever went through. That didn't make it any easier.

I'm learning that parenting is hard not only because of the things that you have to do, but for the things that you have to leave undone. :-/

She's baaaack!

Well, after weeks - maybe close to 2 months, Alice is healthy. No more runny nose, cough, barfing, etc. Which means that she's feeling better and no longer testing us constantly and being uncooperative. We've got our little girl back and it's really, really nice.

I'm going to forget some of the good moments

It's great going back and reading "Alice's" blog. Remembering what she was like at different stages, how she used to say some words, how she used to do certain actions. Those little moments are so easily forgotten. Re-reading about them brings me instantly back to them, but other wise they are lost.

That makes me sad.

I'm extremely grateful that we started the blog of the kids. It helps. However, even if I wrote every day (not going to happen), there are moments that will be lost. Moments that I have to work hard at enjoying when they are happening. Some days it's easier than others. Since Isaac has been born, someone has been sick. Usually me or Alice. That's not been fun, not at all. Those times can be forgotten, but within those are small moments that I want to capture and treasure. It's... difficult. I know that I'll forget them - there's only so much space in my head. The more I tighten my grip, the more special moments will slip through my fingers. (Yes, that was a modified Star Wars quote)

So, in conclusion, this is an opportune time for a cookie (and maybe some tea).

Healthy or sick, never pass up a chance to lick the beaters