the newborn and baby stage with both kids went by like a blur and now that we don't need bottles and bibs anymore, it's time to say goodbye to them. never did i ever think that i would shed a tear while packing up these things, but that's exactly what i did. my stomach was in knots and butch came in at one point and said, "um, are you alright?" i said, "yes!" (no.) this comes after this past week at dance when ella came out of the studio and proudly yelled, "MOMMY! GUESS WHAT?!" i said what! she yelped, "i HAVE A LOOSE TOOTH!" it felt like someone socked me in my stomach. things they don't tell you in the parenting book number 232: a loose tooth will make you feel sad. as a kindergarten teacher, i am a connoisseur of teeth. kids are constantly losing them, talking about losing them, showing me with a big smile when they lose them...it's a weekly occurrence. one time i had to write a heartfelt letter to the toothfairy, because a kid's tooth got lost in the mix of papers on my desk and we couldn't find it! luckily, she accepted my letter and left some loot. (the parent sent me a funny email thanking me as well.) anyways, now that it's my own kid with the wiggly tooth it's just another right of passage/growing up type of thing that caught me off guard. today? a loose tooth. tomorrow? college bound. it all happens too fast.
packing up the bottles and bibs was bittersweet...but the bloody mary did help some. next weekend my parents are bringing down carrie's "big girl bed" and we are putting both girls together in a room. better check back with me next saturday when that happens...because i might be in full motherhood meltdown mode. i have been enjoying the past couple of days being trapped with my kids in the house...and i do mean that whole heartedly. (sorta.) i have to say that my favorite moment from the past coupla days was when carrie was dropping a deuce in the bathroom, and ella sauntered in and sprayed lysol. it accidentally went into carrie's eyes so she was sitting on the toilet screaming with her eyes shut. when i realized what happened i asked ella why she did it. her reply? SHE STINKS! i said, "i don't care if she stinks, you can't spray your sister with LYSOL!" (things i thought i would never say as a parent.) so who knows how many more days will be spent home from school...but i promise you i am already a little stir crazy. there is only so much cleaning and laundry one can do before losing their mind...let's not forget the fact that this storm has not been good for the waistline or the liver, either. i'm about to bundle my kids up for the third time today, so that they can go out and play for another 4 minute jag. with that in mind, i raise my mimosa to winter storm jonas...and also how cute my littlest one looks in snowpants. salud!
